WorkSource UI Liaison helped me check my claim status without calling ESD
Just found out something SUPER helpful today I wish I'd known months ago! Apparently some WorkSource offices have ESD UI Liaisons/Ambassadors who can actually look up your unemployment claim status right there at their computer! I've been stressing for 3 weeks waiting to hear about my claim (got laid off from construction work when our project lost funding), and I was about to waste another day trying to call ESD. Instead, I walked into the WorkSource office in Everett to use their job search computers, and overheard someone talking to a UI Liaison. They pulled up my claim info and told me staff hadn't started processing it yet but everything looked properly submitted and I just needed to keep filing weekly while waiting - no issues flagged that would need adjudication. They couldn't speed anything up, but at least I know what's happening and don't have to keep calling ESD! Has anyone else used these UI Liaisons at WorkSource? Are they at all locations or just certain ones? The staff helping me said they can't make decisions on claims but can see what's happening with them.
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Amelia Cartwright
Yes! The UI Liaisons at WorkSource are a great resource but they're not available at every location. I know for certain the Spokane, Everett, and Tacoma WorkSource offices have them, but some smaller offices don't. These Liaisons can see the same information ESD phone reps can see - basically whether your claim is pending, in adjudication, or if there are any flags on your account. They can't make determinations or change anything on your claim. One benefit of using the UI Liaison is that you can also knock out some of your job search activities while you're there. WorkSource workshops count toward your required 3 job search activities per week. That's actually how I first found out about the Liaison option too.
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Royal_GM_Mark
•Thanks for confirming! I'm definitely going back to Everett WorkSource next week then. Do you know if they keep regular hours or if I should call ahead to make sure the Liaison is there that day?
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Chris King
i went 2 worksource in auburn last month they dont have a liason there but the front desk person gave me a direct number 2 call esd. still waited 4ever tho lol. better than calling the main number i guess
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Rachel Clark
•This is why the whole ESD system is ridiculous! Every WorkSource office should have the SAME SERVICES. Why does Everett get a Liaison but Auburn doesn't?? It's just another example of how broken the whole unemployment system is. I've been trying to get through to ESD for TWO MONTHS about my adjudication and can't get any real answers. Just another way they make it impossible to actually get benefits you're entitled to!!
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Zachary Hughes
I work at a WorkSource office (not saying which one for privacy), and I can confirm that UI Liaisons are incredibly valuable resources but are only available at select locations due to staffing limitations. Here's what UI Liaisons can typically see and do: 1. View your claim status (pending, processing, adjudication, etc.) 2. See if there are staff notes or flags on your claim 3. Confirm if your weekly claims have been properly filed 4. Verify if your identity verification has cleared 5. Tell you if there's a specific issue needing documentation What they CANNOT do: - Make determinations on your claim - Move your claim forward in the queue - Override system flags - Access certain sensitive portions of your file Before visiting, call your local WorkSource office to confirm they have a UI Liaison and what their hours are - many only work certain days of the week. And while you're there, definitely take advantage of the job search resources and workshops!
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Royal_GM_Mark
•This is super helpful, thank you! I didn't realize they have limited hours - I'll definitely call ahead next time. And good reminder about the workshops - I need to get my job search activities logged for this week anyway.
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Mia Alvarez
I tried the WorkSource in Vancouver and they don't have a liaison there anymore. They used to before COVID but the lady at the front desk said they haven't brought that position back. She gave me a piece of paper with the regular ESD phone number that everyone has. Complete waste of a bus trip smh
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Amelia Cartwright
•That's frustrating! The WorkSource services really vary by location now. If you're still having trouble reaching ESD, I'd recommend checking out Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a service that helps you get through to ESD without the endless busy signals and holds. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. I used it last month when I was dealing with an adjudication issue and got through to ESD in about 25 minutes instead of trying for days.
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Carter Holmes
I had a totally different experience with the liaison at Renton Worksource!!! She was able to tell me that my claim was stuck because my identity verification didn't go through properly. Something the ESD website NEVER showed me. I fixed it that same day and my claim was approved the next week. So they CAN sometimes see more specific issues than what shows up in your online account. Just depends on who you talk to I think.
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Sophia Long
•This matches my experience too. The WorkSource UI Liaison in Tacoma was able to see that my claim was flagged for an employer response issue - my former employer hadn't responded to ESD's request for information. The online portal just showed "adjudication in progress" with no details. The Liaison explained that until my former employer responded, my claim would remain on hold, which helped me decide to contact my previous HR department to nudge them. However, I think it's important to set realistic expectations. The Liaisons can see what's happening with your claim, but they don't have authority to fix issues or expedite anything. They're mainly there to provide information transparency, which is still incredibly valuable when you're stressed about your benefits.
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Angelica Smith
wait so are these ui liaisons actual esd employees or just worksource ppl who have access to esd systems???
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Zachary Hughes
•Great question! UI Liaisons are actually ESD employees who are stationed at WorkSource offices, not regular WorkSource staff who have access to ESD systems. That's why they have the ability to access the unemployment claim database. They're specifically placed at certain WorkSource locations to provide this service, but due to budget constraints, not every WorkSource office has one. They generally report to ESD, not to the WorkSource office management.
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Rachel Clark
I don't understand why people waste time with WorkSource when you could just CALL ESD directly!!! I got through after only 5 attempts and resolved my issue in one call. All these "shortcuts" people keep suggesting sound more complicated than just being persistent with the main phone line!!
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Chris King
•wow ur lucky then. i called 32 times in 1 day last month and never got thru. ended up having to use that claimyr service someone mentioned here just to talk to someone after trying for a week
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Royal_GM_Mark
Update: I went back to the WorkSource in Everett today and got more info about the UI Liaison schedule. Turns out they're only there Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-3pm. The woman I spoke with confirmed they can see the same things the phone reps can see but don't have to deal with the massive call volumes so they can spend more time explaining things. I also signed up for 2 workshops while I was there (resume building and interview skills) which will count for my job search activities. So even if you can't see the UI Liaison, still worth checking out WorkSource for the workshops!
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Carter Holmes
•Their resume workshop is actually really good! I thought it would be basic but they helped me completely restructure mine for construction jobs and I've gotten way more callbacks. Good luck!
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