Washington ESD unemployment rates during recent presidential terms - what's the real impact?

From what I remember, unemployment did drop significantly from 2017-2019, but that was mostly continuing trends from the previous administration. Washington state unemployment was around 5.2% in early 2017 and got down to about 3.5% by 2019. But then COVID hit and everything changed - unemployment spiked to over 15% in April 2020.

honestly the unemployment rate doesn't really matter when you're trying to get through to Washington ESD on the phone. I've been calling for weeks about my adjudication and can never get through regardless of what the economy is doing

The thing about unemployment rates is they don't tell the whole story. Even when unemployment was 'low' during 2018-2019, there were still tons of people working part-time who couldn't find full-time work. And gig workers weren't even counted in traditional unemployment stats back then.

Look, the numbers don't lie - unemployment hit historic lows before COVID. That's just facts. Whether you like Trump or not, the economy was doing well from 2017-2019.

To answer your original question about Washington ESD - presidential policies don't directly affect state unemployment benefit amounts or processing times. Washington state sets its own benefit levels and manages its own system. However, federal unemployment extensions during recessions do get administered through Washington ESD.

I filed during the 2019 'good economy' period and still had to wait 6 weeks for my claim to process. Washington ESD has always been slow regardless of how many people are filing.

The real issue isn't what happened in previous years, it's that Washington ESD's phone system is still overwhelmed. I had to use Claimyr to get through when my weekly claim got stuck. Worth checking out if your sister runs into problems reaching them.

unemployment statistics are just political talking points anyway. what matters is whether people can actually get the help they need when they lose their job

For what it's worth, I work in workforce development and can confirm that unemployment rates did decline from 2017-2019, but the trend had already started years earlier. Washington state actually outperformed the national average during most of that period due to our tech sector growth.

All I know is I lost my job in 2019 when unemployment was supposedly 'low' and it still took 3 weeks to get my first Washington ESD payment. The statistics don't help when you're trying to pay rent.

Just tell your sister to file her weekly claims on time every week and keep documenting her job search activities. That's more important than worrying about historical unemployment rates.

The unemployment rate was definitely lower during 2017-2019 but like others said, that trend started before Trump took office. What's more relevant for your sister is that Washington ESD has made some improvements to their online system since the pandemic, so filing should be easier now.

I've been through unemployment during both 'good' and 'bad' economic times and honestly Washington ESD is just as bureaucratic either way. At least when unemployment is higher there's more political pressure to fix the system.

Bottom line for your sister - if she runs into any issues with Washington ESD (adjudication delays, questions about her claim, etc.), don't waste time trying to call them directly. Use Claimyr or you'll just sit on hold forever. The service works really well for getting through to actual representatives.

Presidents get too much credit and blame for unemployment rates anyway. It's mostly economic cycles, technological changes, and global factors. But what definitely matters is making sure your state unemployment system actually works for people who need it.