What is the phone number for Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

The main Washington ESD unemployment number is 800-318-6022. But good luck getting through - I've been trying for weeks and either get a busy signal or get disconnected after waiting on hold for hours.

There's also a technical support line at 855-682-0785 if you're having website issues with your SecureAccess Washington account. But for actual claim questions, you'll need the main customer service line.

I was having the same problem trying to reach someone at Washington ESD. The phone lines are absolutely swamped and I was getting nowhere. Then I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes. You can check them out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

CALLING WASHINGTON ESD IS A NIGHTMARE!! I've been trying for 3 weeks straight and can't get through. The system is completely broken. How are we supposed to resolve issues with our claims if we can't even talk to a human being???

The best time I've found to call is during lunch hours around 12-1pm. Seems like fewer people are calling then. Still takes forever but at least you don't get the busy signal as much.

Make sure you have your Social Security number and all your claim information ready before you call. They'll ask for it right away and if you're not prepared, they might hang up on you to keep the line moving.

I tried calling 50+ times yesterday and only got through once, then got transferred to three different people before getting disconnected. This system is absolutely broken.

For what it's worth, I had success with that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. I was skeptical at first but they actually got me connected to a Washington ESD agent who helped resolve my adjudication issue. Worth trying if you're stuck like I was.

Just a heads up - there are different numbers for different issues. If you're dealing with an overpayment, there's a separate collections line. Make sure you're calling the right department or they'll just transfer you around.

The 800-318-6022 number is correct but be prepared for a long wait. I usually put my phone on speaker and do other things while waiting. Sometimes it takes 2-3 hours but eventually you'll get through.

Try calling on Wednesday or Thursday mornings. Mondays and Fridays seem to be the worst days for getting through to Washington ESD.

Whatever you do, don't hang up if you get put on hold. Even if it's been hours, stay on the line. I've made that mistake too many times and had to start over.

If you're having trouble with the main line, you can also try reaching out through your local WorkSource office. They sometimes have better connections to Washington ESD staff.

The phone system is definitely the biggest weakness in Washington's unemployment system. I've had much better luck using the secure messaging system in my online account for non-urgent issues.

I had good luck with Claimyr too. My adjudication had been pending for over a month and I couldn't get through on the phone. They connected me to an agent who was able to explain what documents I needed to submit to move the process forward.

Just want to add that the customer service reps are generally helpful once you actually get through. The problem is just the volume of calls they're dealing with. Be patient and polite - they're doing their best with an overwhelmed system.

Hope this helps everyone! The key is persistence and having multiple strategies. Don't rely on just one approach - try calling at different times, use the messaging system, and consider services like Claimyr if you're really stuck.