Need Inslee's office number to complain about ESD hold times - any luck?
Been waiting 5 weeks for my ESD claim to process and I'm at my wit's end! Thought maybe calling Governor Inslee's office might actually get something done since ESD phone lines are always busy. Does anyone have the number to reach the governor's office? Has anyone tried this and actually gotten results with their unemployment claim? My rent is due next week and I'm seriously stressing.
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Landon Flounder
I called the Governor's Office last month about my adjudication delay - their number is 360-902-4111. They took my information but honestly, nothing came of it. They just created a case number and told me they'd forward my concerns to ESD. Still waiting...
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Jacinda Yu
•Thanks for the number! Did they at least seem sympathetic or were they just going through the motions?
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Callum Savage
The governors office cant do anything!!!! I tried calling them TWICE about my claim being stuck in adjudication for 2 months and they just take a message. WASTE OF TIME. Your better off just keeping calling ESD directly even tho its impossible to get thru.
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Ally Tailer
•I know it's frustrating but the Governor's office isn't set up to handle individual claim issues. They're really just a pass-through to the same ESD department that's already backed up. Have you tried contacting your state representative instead? Sometimes their constituent services can help with state agencies.
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Aliyah Debovski
I tried calling Inslee's office last year about my standby status getting denied. They were nice but didn't help. My neighbor said her husband got through to ESD using Claimyr.com - it's a service that holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Might be worth trying before going the governor route.
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Jacinda Yu
•I hadn't heard of that service before. I'll check out the video - anything is better than calling 50 times a day and getting nowhere with ESD!
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Miranda Singer
Rather than calling the Governor's office, I'd recommend following these steps for faster resolution with ESD: 1. Keep documenting all your attempts to contact ESD 2. Send a message through your eServices portal specifically asking for a callback 3. Contact your state legislative representative (find them at leg.wa.gov) 4. If you can prove financial hardship (eviction notice, utility shutoff), note that in your eServices messages as they may flag it for expedited review Most importantly, keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for a resolution.
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Jacinda Yu
•Appreciate the detailed advice. I've been documenting everything but hadn't thought about contacting my state rep. Will definitely try that route!
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Cass Green
the govs office # is usless for getting ESD help... i tryed it 3 times during covid and they just take your info and say theyll pass it on. nothing ever happens!!! its all just for show, they dont REALLY care if ur losing ur house. my claim was stuck 9 weeks b4 i finally got thru to a real person at esd who fixed it in 5 mins!!!
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Finley Garrett
•Same here. waited 7 weeks last winter. the whole system is broken. crazy that it's 2025 and they still can't figure out how to run a decent phone system or hire enough people.
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Ally Tailer
While the Governor's office (360-902-4111) can take your complaint, they're not equipped to expedite individual unemployment claims. The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) at 800-366-0955 might be more helpful if you're at the appeals stage. For most claimants facing delays, these strategies often work better: 1. Contact your district's state representative or senator 2. Request an official hardship review through eServices messaging 3. Be very specific in your hardship details (exact dates of rent due, utility shutoffs, etc.) 4. Continue completing all weekly claims while waiting ESD is legally required to process claims within certain timeframes, but staffing challenges often cause delays.
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Landon Flounder
•This is really helpful info. I wish I'd known about the hardship review option earlier. Do you know if there's a specific form or just mention it in the general message system?
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Ally Tailer
•There's no special form - just use the secure message feature in eServices. Start your message with "HARDSHIP REQUEST" in the subject line, then detail your specific financial situation with dates and consequences. Include any documentation if the system allows attachments.
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