Impossible to reach ESD agents - tried for 2 weeks straight
I've been calling ESD literally every day for the past 2 weeks and can't get through to a human being. My claim has been pending since January 12th (over 3 weeks now) and I'm getting desperate. I've tried calling right when they open at 8am, during lunch, an hour before they close... nothing works. Always get the automated message about high call volume and then it hangs up on me! I've sent 5 messages through eServices but haven't gotten any response. My rent is due next week and I'm freaking out. How are you actually supposed to reach a real person at ESD? This system seems designed to prevent people from getting help!
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Harper Thompson
OMG same exact thing happening to me!! Been calling for 3 weeks straight and NOTHING. I even tried calling from different phone numbers thinking maybe they were blocking me lol. I'm convinced they just have the phones permanently set to that stupid recording. So frustrating!!
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Lucas Bey
•It's truly maddening. Have you found ANY way to get through? I'm about ready to drive to an office in person (if they even allow that anymore).
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Caleb Stark
I had the same problem last month and finally got through by using a service called Claimyr. It basically holds your place in line so you don't have to keep redialing. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked - I got a callback from an ESD agent within about 45 minutes. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Seriously saved my sanity after trying for days to get through on my own.
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Jade O'Malley
•Did this actually work for you? Sounds too good to be true tbh
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Caleb Stark
•Yes, it really did work. The agent I spoke with was able to see that my claim was stuck because of an employer verification issue. Got it fixed in one call.
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Hunter Edmunds
i heard calling on wednesday afternoons is better cuz less people call then. also make sure ur phone has good reception cuz if u drop the call after waiting u gotta start all over again ask me how i know lol
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Lucas Bey
•Thanks, I'll try Wednesday afternoon. At this point I'll try anything!
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Ella Lewis
The ESD phone system is incredibly overloaded. Here are a few strategies that might help: 1. Call exactly at 8:00 AM when the lines open (set your phone clock to the atomic clock) 2. If you have a pending adjudication, try contacting your assigned claims specialist directly if that info is in your eServices account 3. Contact your state representative - they often have direct channels to ESD and can help escalate 4. Check if you qualify for standby status, which might expedite your claim 5. Make sure you're continuing to file your weekly claims even while waiting The system is frustrating but persistence is key. Document every attempt to contact them for your records.
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Lucas Bey
•Thank you for these detailed suggestions. I've been doing #1 and #5, but I'll definitely try contacting my state rep - didn't even think of that. Where would I find my claims specialist info in eServices? I can't seem to locate that anywhere.
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Andrew Pinnock
This is why the whole system is BROKEN! They make it IMPOSSIBLE to get help then wonder why people get frustrated and give up. I spent TWO MONTHS trying to reach someone last year about an adjudication issue. TWO MONTHS!! By the time I finally got through, I was already behind on everything and my credit was trashed. They don't care about us at all. The ESD is a joke and they're probably just sitting around playing solitaire while we can't feed our families!!!
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Brianna Schmidt
•I feel your frustration! My neighbor works at ESD (not on the phones) and says they're actually extremely understaffed and the agents are taking back-to-back calls all day. The system definitely needs improvement though.
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Brianna Schmidt
I got through yesterday after 3 weeks of trying! Here's what worked: called at 8:01am (not 8 exactly when everyone calls), pressed 3-1-2-4 in the menu system (might be different depending on your claim type), and when it asked for my SSN I entered it very slowly. For some reason that seemed to route me to a different queue and I only waited about 20 minutes. Worth a try!
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Lucas Bey
•Thank you! I'll try this exact method tomorrow morning. Did they resolve your issue when you got through?
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Brianna Schmidt
•Yes! My claim was stuck because I had accidentally entered my work history dates wrong. Agent fixed it right away and my payment was processed the next day.
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Alexis Renard
When I was trying to reach them last month I couldn't get thru on phones ever so I went to WorkSource in person and they helped me. They have an ESD person there certain days of the week, at least at my local office. U might wanna check ur nearest WorkSource to see if they can help too
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Lucas Bey
•That's a great idea! There's a WorkSource about 20 minutes from me. I'll check their website to see when ESD staff are on-site. Thanks!
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