What time to file unemployment claim - Washington ESD best hours?

Thanks! Did you file right when you got laid off or wait a few days? I'm worried about missing some deadline.

You should file as soon as possible. There's a waiting week anyway, so the sooner you start the process the better.

Same experience here. The Washington ESD servers just can't handle the load. Super frustrating when you're already stressed about losing your job.

This is really helpful! I'll set my alarm for 6 AM tomorrow. Do you know if there's any difference between weekdays and weekends for initial claims?

Weekdays are generally better for initial claims. Weekends get busy with people filing their weekly continuing claims. Tuesday through Thursday mornings are usually your best bet.

Interesting, never heard of that. Is it legitimate? I'm always wary of third-party services when it comes to government stuff.

Yeah it's legit. They just help you get through the phone queue to reach Washington ESD agents. I used it when my claim got stuck in adjudication and couldn't get anyone on the phone otherwise.

How much does something like that cost though? I'm already broke from being unemployed.

It's worth checking out their site for the details. For me it was worth it to actually talk to someone instead of spending hours redialing.

Good call on the browser cache! I'll make sure to do that. Does it matter if I'm on mobile vs desktop?

Desktop is definitely better for the initial claim. The mobile version of the Washington ESD site is clunky and times out more often.

The infrastructure is just ancient. They've been promising upgrades for years but nothing changes.

Where do I find the FEIN number? Is that on my W-2 or paystub?

It should be on your final paystub or you can ask your former employer's HR department. Don't guess at it or your claim might get delayed.

The FEIN is also called the Federal Employer Identification Number. Sometimes it's listed as EIN on tax documents.

45 minutes seems reasonable. I was worried it would take hours. Did you get confirmation right away that it was submitted?

Yes, you get a confirmation number and they send you a letter in the mail within a few days with your claim details.

omg please tell me you're joking 😂

wish I was! insurance was NOT happy about that explanation

That's really specific timing! I'll definitely try that window. Did your claims process quickly when filed at that time?

Usually got approved within 10-14 days. No major delays or issues. The key is accuracy on your initial filing - double check everything before submitting.

Is that the Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier? Might be worth having as a backup plan.

Yeah I think that was it. She said it saved her tons of time and frustration compared to calling directly.

Oh good point! My last day was yesterday so I should be good to file today. Thanks for the reminder.

Have you actually gotten through by calling at 8 AM? Every time I've tried calling Washington ESD I get a busy signal or put on hold for hours.

It's hit or miss. You have to call right at 8:00 AM sharp. Even a few minutes later and you're stuck in the queue forever.

This is exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. Spent three days trying to get through on the phone before giving up and using their service to reach an agent.

Good thinking. I'll make sure I'm on my home wifi with a strong signal. This process sounds stressful enough without technical issues.

That's a good point about late night. I'm usually up late anyway so that might work for me too.

Just make sure you're alert enough to answer everything accurately. Mistakes on the initial claim can cause major headaches later.

You're probably right. I need to just pick a time and go for it. All this advice has been super helpful though!

Agreed. The sooner you file, the sooner your waiting week starts. Don't delay over finding the 'perfect' time.