What's the best number to reach an actual ESD agent? Been on hold 5+ hours

try calling right when they open at 8am... sometimes works 4 me

First, make sure you're calling on the right days. The ESD claims center phone lines (833-572-8400) are only open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. I've found that Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to have slightly shorter wait times than Mondays. Second, there are a few things you can try: 1. Call exactly at 8:00 AM when they open (set an alarm for 7:58 AM to be ready) 2. Try calling around 3:00 PM - sometimes people give up by then 3. Make sure your phone number is registered in your eServices account so they can call you back 4. If your issue is specifically about disqualification, mention "I need to speak with an adjudicator" when prompted in the phone system Also, have you tried sending a message through the eServices portal? Sometimes that works faster than calling.

if ur claim is showing disqualified u NEED to talk to someone asap!!! did u already file an appeal??? u only get like 30 days to appeal a disqualification decision! dont wait on hold forever, the clock is ticking!!!!!

Honestly I just gave up on calling ESD after trying for two weeks straight. The phone system is basically designed to make you give up. I ended up going in person to a WorkSource center and they were able to help me sort things out. If you have one near you it might be worth a try.

After spending WEEKS trying to reach ESD about my adjudication issue, I finally tried Claimyr and it actually worked. It's a service that basically helps you skip the ESD phone queue. I was skeptical but they connected me to an ESD agent in about 15 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. Here's their site: claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 It was seriously worth it to finally get my issue resolved. They don't actually handle your claim - they just get you connected to a real ESD agent who can.

The phone system is the worst. ESD is completely overwhelmed since layoffs went up this year. Did u try contacting your state representative? My neighbor was having a similar issue and couldn't get through on the phones, so she emailed her state rep's office and they actually helped her get in touch with ESD within 48 hours. Worth a shot if nothing else is working.

I work in HR and have helped several employees navigate the ESD system. One important thing to know: if your claim was disqualified specifically for availability issues, make sure you understand what "available for work" means according to ESD. Many people get disqualified because they indicated they weren't available for full-time work or had restrictions on shifts they could work. When you do get through to an agent, be very clear about your availability. If you have any documentation that shows you're fully available for work, have it ready to reference. Also, file that appeal ASAP as others have mentioned - the 30-day deadline is strict and rarely extended.

u know what sux?? I had the SAME EXACT PROBLEM last month and finally got thru after calling for like 3 weeks straight. then the agent fixed my issue in literally 5 minutes. so frustrating!!

One last tip: If you've filed your appeal already, you can sometimes reach different staff by calling the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) instead of the regular ESD number. If your appeal has been assigned to OAH, you can check its status and sometimes get more information about your case. Their number is 1-800-366-0955.