Is there a direct ESD phone number that actually connects to a real person?
I've been trying to reach someone at ESD for DAYS about a simple question on my claim that the website doesn't address. Every time I call the main number (833-572-8400), it's just automated menus that eventually disconnect me! I've tried calling at different times (6am, noon, 4pm) but it's always 'high call volume' then goodbye. Does anyone know if there's a secret back-door number to actually speak with a human being? Or some trick to getting through the phone system? I'm about to lose my mind with this automated runaround. My claim has been pending for 3 weeks and I need to pay rent!
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Paolo Rizzo
Unfortunately there's no 'secret' number - ESD uses that main line for everything. The trick is HOW and WHEN you call. Try calling exactly at 7:59am right before they open at 8am. Press options in this order: 1, then 3, then 4. Don't press anything when it asks for your SSN. That sometimes routes you to a specialist faster. You could also try the technical support number (855-682-0785) and act like you have a technical issue, then ask if they can transfer you to claims once you get someone.
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Keisha Williams
•Thank you!! I'll try the 7:59am trick tomorrow morning. I've been pressing 2 then 1 which might be why I keep getting disconnected. Really appreciate the specific sequence to try.
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Amina Sy
they r all useless even when u do get thru. waited 2hrs yesterday just 2 have someone tell me they couldnt help and needed 2 transfer me... then got disconnected AGAIN smh
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Oliver Fischer
•SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME TWICE!!! ESD is the most dysfunctional government agency I've ever dealt with! They expect us to follow every tiny rule perfectly but they can't even manage a basic phone system. It's a complete joke.
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Keisha Williams
•Ugh that sounds awful. I'm worried that'll happen to me too even if I do get through 😩
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Natasha Ivanova
I was in the same boat last month when my claim got stuck in adjudication. After wasting hours trying to call, I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to an ESD agent in about 25 minutes. They basically keep calling for you until they get through, then connect you. It worked really well for me! Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 I was skeptical at first but was desperate after trying for 2 weeks on my own. The agent I finally spoke with cleared up my adjudication issue on the spot.
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Keisha Williams
•This sounds promising! Did you have to provide a lot of personal info to use it? And was the ESD agent helpful once you got through?
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Natasha Ivanova
•You just give them your phone number so they can call you back when they reach an agent. And yes, the agent I spoke with was actually really helpful - she looked up my claim right away and could see what was causing the delay. My payment was processed two days later.
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NebulaNomad
There's technically a dedicated adjudication phone line (800-246-9763) but it's almost always full too. One thing you should absolutely do while waiting to get through by phone is send a message through your eServices account. Go to your account dashboard, click on "Send a message" in the left menu, and select "Claims Questions" as the category. Be extremely specific about your issue. They're supposed to respond within 5-7 business days, so it's not fast, but it can work. Another option is to contact your state representative's office. They often have direct lines to ESD caseworkers and can help escalate claims that are stuck. Google "[your county] WA state representative" to find yours.
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Keisha Williams
•Thank you! I've sent messages through eServices twice with no response, but I'll try contacting my state rep - that's a great idea I hadn't thought of!
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Javier Garcia
•The state rep trick actually works. My brother's claim was stuck for almost 6 weeks, he called our representative's office, and magically his claim was processed three days later. Their staff has special contacts at ESD who can flag urgent cases.
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Emma Taylor
Have u tried the WorkSource office? Sometimes they can help with ESD stuff or at least have better info on how to get thru. Not all staff there know unemployment stuff but some do
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Keisha Williams
•There's a WorkSource office about 20 minutes from me. I'll try stopping by there tomorrow after I try the early morning call. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Paolo Rizzo
One more tip - if you do get through to someone but they say they can't help with your specific issue, politely ask them to transfer you to a claims specialist instead of hanging up and trying again. Sometimes they can put you in a priority queue if you're already in the system. Also, make sure you're caught up on all your weekly claims while waiting. Even if your initial claim is pending, you need to keep filing each week or you'll lose benefits for those weeks.
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Keisha Williams
•That's a great point about staying on the line - I'll definitely ask for a transfer if needed. And yes, I've been religiously filing my weekly claims and doing my job search activities even though nothing has been paid yet. Just hoping I can get this resolved before next month's bills are due.
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