What is the current level of unemployment - Washington ESD claim questions?

Thanks for the info! Did you have any issues with your weekly claims during that waiting period?

No the weekly claims went through fine, it was just the initial determination that took forever. Keep filing your weeklies even while waiting.

That's actually really helpful context. I didn't realize the rate and the claim volume could be so different.

Yeah the rate is just a snapshot but Washington ESD has to process every single claim individually regardless of how long people end up collecting.

Interesting, I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days. How does that service work exactly?

Basically they handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when they get an agent on the line. Way better than sitting on hold for hours yourself.

I used Claimyr last month when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Definitely worth it instead of the endless busy signals from Washington ESD.

That makes sense. I guess there's a lot more complexity to it than just the headline number.

Exactly! Plus people going back to school, seasonal workers, gig workers - lots of situations that aren't in the basic unemployment rate.

Have you tried calling first thing in the morning? I had better luck around 8 AM.

tried everything, they just hang up on you or the line is busy. this is ridiculous

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - they handle all that calling frustration for you.

I hadn't thought about staffing issues on their end. That would definitely explain some delays.

Yeah they're trying to hire more people but training new ESD staff takes months. Meanwhile claims keep coming in.

So true! I filed during a lower unemployment period last year and still waited weeks.

exactly my point. the system is just slow no matter what the overall numbers look like

That's good to know we're doing better than other places at least.

Yeah Washington's economy is relatively strong, but ESD still processes claims the same way regardless of the bigger picture.

I wonder if states with higher unemployment actually process claims faster because they have more resources dedicated to it?

My claim seems straightforward - laid off due to company downsizing. No red flags that I can see.

That should process normally then. Sometimes even simple claims take a few weeks just due to volume.

What's considered a good unemployment rate these days? I feel like the numbers I grew up hearing were different.

Anything under 5% is generally considered pretty healthy. Washington's been hovering around 4% which is actually quite good.

I never really understood how they calculate these numbers. Thanks for explaining.

Yeah it's called the U-3 rate that gets reported most, but there are other measures that paint a broader picture.

A few people have mentioned that service now. Seems like it really helps with the calling issue.

I was skeptical at first but honestly anything is better than listening to busy signals for hours.

How did you finally get through? I'm still trying!

used that claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier. worked like a charm, got connected in about 20 minutes instead of hours of trying myself

That's exactly what I needed to hear. Going to try Claimyr tomorrow.

Good perspective. I guess we're in a relatively good spot economically even if the wait times are frustrating.

Exactly. Washington's economy is doing well overall, just the administrative side of ESD that needs work.

Hope your claim gets processed soon! The waiting is definitely the worst part.

Appreciate everyone's help and advice. This thread has been super informative.