How to talk to someone about unemployment at Washington ESD - getting through their phone system
I've been trying to reach someone at Washington ESD for over two weeks about my unemployment claim and I'm getting nowhere. Every time I call the main number I either get disconnected after waiting on hold for hours or get stuck in their automated system that doesn't have options for my specific issue. My claim has been pending adjudication for a month and I can't get any information about what's causing the delay. Has anyone figured out how to actually talk to a real person there? I'm starting to panic about my bills and need to know what's going on with my claim.
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Ava Harris
The trick is calling right when they open at 8am. I've had the best luck getting through within the first 30 minutes. After 9am forget about it - you'll be on hold for hours.
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Chloe Delgado
•I tried that yesterday and still couldn't get through. Maybe I need to call at exactly 8:00?
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Jacob Lee
•even at 8am its hit or miss honestly
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Emily Thompson
For adjudication issues specifically, you might need to be transferred to that department. When you get through to the general line, explain that your claim has been in adjudication for a month and ask to speak with someone who can review your case. They should be able to tell you what documentation they're waiting for.
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Chloe Delgado
•That's the problem - I can't even get to a person to ask for a transfer. The automated system just keeps looping me back to the main menu.
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Emily Thompson
•Try pressing 0 repeatedly during the automated message. Sometimes that bypasses the menu and gets you to a human operator.
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Sophie Hernandez
I was having the same issue until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. I was skeptical at first but I tried it last week and actually got connected to someone within like 20 minutes. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way better than spending my whole day trying to call.
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Daniela Rossi
•Never heard of this. Is it legit or some kind of scam?
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Sophie Hernandez
•It's real - you can check out their website at claimyr.com. They basically call for you and get through the hold times so you don't have to sit on the phone all day.
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Ryan Kim
•This sounds too good to be true but I'm desperate at this point
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Jacob Lee
washington esd phone system is trash. ive been trying to reach them for 3 weeks about my job search requirement questions and nothing
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Ava Harris
•Job search requirements are tricky. You need to log 3 job search activities per week in your WorkSourceWA account. Are you having trouble with the logging system or understanding what counts?
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Jacob Lee
•both honestly. the whole system is confusing
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Zoe Walker
WASHINGTON ESD IS THE WORST. I've been waiting 6 weeks for my adjudication to clear and they won't tell me anything. Meanwhile I'm about to lose my apartment because I can't pay rent. This system is broken!!!
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Emily Thompson
•I understand your frustration. Six weeks is definitely too long for adjudication. Have you submitted all the documentation they requested? Sometimes claims get stuck because they're waiting for employer information.
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Zoe Walker
•I don't even know what they want! Nobody will tell me what documents I need to send.
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Elijah Brown
Try calling their technical support line instead of the main claims line. Sometimes they can transfer you to the right department and the wait times are shorter.
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Chloe Delgado
•What's the technical support number? I've only been calling the main unemployment line.
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Elijah Brown
•It's on their website under contact information. Look for 'technical assistance' rather than 'unemployment claims
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Maria Gonzalez
Have you tried using the secure messaging system in your eServices account? Sometimes that gets a faster response than calling.
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Chloe Delgado
•I sent two messages through eServices three weeks ago and haven't heard back from either one.
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Ava Harris
•The messaging system is really backed up right now. Phone calls are still your best bet for urgent issues.
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Natalie Chen
I had success with that Claimyr thing someone mentioned. Used it when my weekly claim got stuck and I needed to talk to someone about why it wasn't processing. Got through in like 30 minutes instead of the usual 3+ hour wait.
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Daniela Rossi
•How much does it cost though? I'm already broke from not getting my unemployment payments.
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Natalie Chen
•Check their website for details, but honestly it was worth it to not spend my entire day on hold. Time is money too.
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Santiago Martinez
The key is persistence. I called 47 times last week before getting through. Keep a tally and don't give up.
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Ryan Kim
•47 times?? That's insane. There has to be a better way.
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Santiago Martinez
•Unfortunately that's just how it is with Washington ESD right now. The system is overwhelmed.
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Samantha Johnson
Make sure you have all your information ready when you do get through - claim number, SSN, dates of employment, etc. They'll ask for everything and if you don't have it ready they might hang up.
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Chloe Delgado
•Good point. I'll make a list of everything before my next attempt.
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Emily Thompson
•Also have your employer information handy including their UI account number if you know it. That speeds up the process.
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Nick Kravitz
ugh i feel your pain. been trying to talk to someone about my standby status for weeks. the whole system is a nightmare
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Ava Harris
•Standby status is different from regular unemployment. Are you on temporary layoff expecting to return to work?
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Nick Kravitz
•yeah supposed to go back but its been 2 months now
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Hannah White
I've noticed that Tuesdays and Wednesdays seem to have shorter wait times than Mondays and Fridays. Might be worth timing your calls differently.
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Elijah Brown
•That makes sense. Everyone probably calls on Monday after the weekend.
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Chloe Delgado
•I'll try calling tomorrow (Wednesday) first thing in the morning.
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Michael Green
When you finally get through, ask them to put notes in your file about what you discussed. That way if you have to call back, the next agent can see what was already covered.
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Emily Thompson
•This is excellent advice. Documentation is crucial for unemployment claims.
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Chloe Delgado
•I didn't know they could do that. Thanks for the tip!
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Mateo Silva
Sometimes the callback feature works if you can get to that option in the phone system. They'll call you back instead of making you wait on hold.
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Zoe Walker
•I've never seen a callback option when I call. Which menu is that under?
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Mateo Silva
•It's not always available but sometimes after the initial menu there's an option to request a callback instead of waiting.
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Victoria Jones
My cousin works for Washington ESD and she says the best time to call is actually between 2-4pm. Everyone thinks morning is best but that's when they're busiest.
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Santiago Martinez
•Interesting, that goes against everything I've heard. Might be worth trying though.
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Chloe Delgado
•I've been focusing on mornings so maybe I should try afternoon calls too.
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Cameron Black
If your claim is in adjudication for more than 21 days, you can file a complaint with the state. Sometimes that gets things moving faster.
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Chloe Delgado
•How do you file a complaint? Through the same eServices system?
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Cameron Black
•No, there's a separate complaint process. Check the Washington ESD website under 'file a complaint' or 'customer service issues
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Jessica Nguyen
Another vote for trying Claimyr if you're really stuck. I was skeptical but it actually worked for me when I needed to sort out an overpayment issue. Got connected to the right department without the runaround.
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Chloe Delgado
•That's the third person who's mentioned it. I might have to try it if I can't get through this week.
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Sophie Hernandez
•Yeah it's definitely helped me avoid the phone frustration. Worth checking out their demo video to see how it works.
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Isaiah Thompson
dont give up! it took me 3 weeks of daily calling but i finally got through and got my issue resolved. the agent was actually really helpful once i reached someone
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Chloe Delgado
•Thanks for the encouragement. I really needed to hear that someone eventually got through.
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Isaiah Thompson
•yeah the waiting sucks but the agents are pretty good once you reach them. hang in there
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Ruby Garcia
Make sure your claim issue actually requires talking to someone. Some things can be resolved through the online system or by mailing documents. Check their FAQ first.
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Chloe Delgado
•I've been through the FAQ multiple times. My adjudication issue definitely needs human intervention - I just need to know what they're waiting for.
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Emily Thompson
•Adjudication issues almost always require speaking with an agent. The FAQ won't help with case-specific delays.
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Alexander Evans
Last resort - try calling your state representative's office. Sometimes they can help expedite unemployment issues when the system isn't working.
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Chloe Delgado
•I didn't know that was an option. How do I find my state representative?
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Alexander Evans
•Google 'find my Washington state representative' and enter your address. Their offices often have staff who deal with constituent services including ESD issues.
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