What number to call to file weekly unemployment claim in Washington ESD

Thank you! Do I need any other information besides my SSN and PIN?

You'll also need to answer the standard weekly claim questions about whether you worked, looked for work, and were available for work during that week.

Good to know it works reliably. The website has been so frustrating lately.

yeah the website crashes on me all the time too, especially on sundays when everyone is trying to file

Never heard of that before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legitimate - they basically handle the calling and waiting for you so you don't have to sit on hold for hours. Saved me a lot of frustration when I couldn't get through the normal way.

Interesting, might have to check that out if I run into problems again

Good point about the deadline. What happens if both the website and phone system are down on my filing day?

If there's a documented system outage, Washington ESD usually extends the deadline. But you should still try to file as early as possible on your designated day to avoid any issues.

Phone filing has been available the whole time alongside online filing. Many people just prefer the website when it's working properly.

oh wow i had no idea, good to know there's a backup option

Agreed! Once you know the routine it's super quick by phone.

That's encouraging. I'll definitely try the phone option this week.

Good tip! Does the system give you a confirmation number at the end?

Yes, they'll give you a confirmation number and also tell you when your next filing week is due.

You can also check your claim history online later to verify the filing was processed successfully.

That's what I'm thinking of doing too. The website stress isn't worth it.

same here, gonna try phone filing next week instead of fighting with the website

How do you reach a live agent if needed?

The main customer service line is different - that's where the long wait times come in. For basic weekly claims though, the automated line at 800-318-6022 is perfect.

Good advice! I'll try calling early tomorrow morning.

I usually call around 11 PM and never have any issues getting through immediately.

How much does something like that cost though?

I found it worth it compared to spending entire days trying to get through to Washington ESD myself. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person about your specific situation.

Oh that's helpful! I didn't realize it could do more than just filing.

Yes, you can check payment dates, benefit amounts, and claim balance through the same automated system.

Awesome! I'm definitely going to try it this week instead of dealing with website issues.

glad it worked out for you! phone filing is definitely the way to go

The automated system is available 24/7 except for brief maintenance windows that are usually announced in advance. I've never encountered downtime personally.

I've been using it for over a year and can't remember it ever being down when I needed it.

That's reassuring. I was worried it might be confusing to navigate.

It's actually more straightforward than the website in my opinion. No pages to load or buttons that don't work.

Good point! I'll make sure I'm in a spot with strong signal.

That would be so frustrating! Definitely use a landline if you have one available.

Right, I still need to keep track of my job search activities either way.

Exactly. The phone system will ask you the same questions about work search and availability that the website does.

Same here! I'm glad I asked about it on this forum.

this thread has been super helpful, gonna bookmark that phone number

I might need that soon actually. Been waiting weeks for my adjudication to finish and might need to talk to someone.

That's exactly the kind of situation where it's worth it. Adjudication issues definitely need human attention.

You're welcome! Hope it goes smoothly for you.

Let us know how it goes! I'm sure you'll find it much easier than the website.

Good luck! The phone system really is reliable once you try it.

That's a really important tip! I almost made the same mistake when I was working part-time. The difference between gross and net pay can be significant, especially with taxes and deductions taken out. It's definitely worth double-checking your pay stub before calling to make sure you have the right numbers.