How to talk to someone from Washington ESD unemployment - can't get through

Same problem here! Been calling for 3 weeks straight. The phone system is absolutely broken.

The Washington ESD phone system has been overwhelmed since the pandemic. Your best bet is to call the customer service line at 800-318-6022 right when they open at 8 AM. Have all your claim information ready including your Social Security number and the week you're asking about.

I actually found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to Washington ESD last month. They basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent picks up. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

try the live chat feature on the secure access washington website sometimes that works better than calling

This is exactly why I hate dealing with government agencies. They make it impossible to get help when you need it most. The whole system is designed to make you give up.

For adjudication issues specifically, you can also try sending a secure message through your eServices account. It's not as fast as talking to someone but they do respond within 3-5 business days usually.

What time of day have you been calling? I read somewhere that Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons have slightly shorter wait times.

Have you tried contacting your state representative's office? Sometimes they can help escalate unemployment issues when you can't reach Washington ESD directly.

The adjudication process is really backed up right now. I work in HR and we've had several employees waiting 4-6 weeks for resolution. Washington ESD is prioritizing cases based on urgency and available documentation.

I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it actually worked. Took about 4 hours but I finally got to talk to someone about my job search requirements issue. Way better than the weeks I spent trying to call myself.

Make sure you're calling the right number for your specific issue. The general customer service line gets overwhelmed but there are sometimes specific numbers for adjudication or appeals that have shorter wait times.

honestly the whole unemployment system needs to be rebuilt from scratch. its 2025 and we still cant get basic customer service

I've been dealing with a similar adjudication delay. What type of issue is causing your hold-up? Sometimes knowing the specific reason can help you prepare the right documentation.

Keep trying the phone lines but also document all your attempts. If you end up needing to appeal or escalate, having records of your communication attempts can be helpful.

Try calling from different phone numbers if you have access to them. Sometimes the system blocks repeated calls from the same number.

The fact that we need third-party services like Claimyr just to reach our own state agencies is pretty telling about how broken the system is. But if it works, it works.

Has anyone tried going to a WorkSource office in person? They might be able to help you contact Washington ESD or at least provide guidance on your specific situation.

When you do finally get through, make sure to ask for a reference number for your conversation and get the agent's name. It helps if you need to follow up later.

I know it's frustrating but don't give up. The adjudication process can take time but once it's resolved, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you were eligible. Keep filing your weekly claims in the meantime.

Update us when you finally get through! It helps to know what methods actually work so others can try the same approach.

I've been in a similar situation and found that persistence is key. One thing that worked for me was calling the 800-318-6022 number repeatedly using redial - I would call, get busy signal, hang up immediately, and redial. Sometimes after 20-30 attempts in a row I'd get through to the hold queue. It's tedious but better than waiting hours just to get disconnected. Also, if you're facing eviction, make sure to mention that urgency when you do get through - they may be able to expedite your case or connect you with additional resources.