Even as economists are forecasting an economic slowdown and rising unemployment in Washington later this year, the state system that provides benefits to jobless workers hasn't even recovered from the last slump.
Washingtonians still wait longer to get benefits from the state Employment Security Department than they did before COVID shuttered the economy in 2020, even though fewer are filing claims. Workers whose benefits are delayed struggle to get help: calls to the ESD's help desk were answered just 12.5% of the time in December.
"It's just been like a surrealistic nightmare," said Aydin Bates, 22, of Tacoma, who has spent months wrangling with ESD over $1,300 in pandemic benefits the agency wants back; she's appealing her case while also working a full-time job.
