OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) has announced a change in unemployment benefits call center hours as part of a 90-day pilot project.

ESD said in a release that it wants to address the increasing volume of claims and expedite payments to claimants.

Starting this week, the call center will operate on adjusted hours. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, call center hours are from 8:00 a.m. to noon, allowing customer service representatives to focus on processing claims from noon to 4:00 p.m.

“We’re trying to move the needle and get people paid more quickly with the resources we have,” said Employment Security Commissioner Cami Feek. “We don’t have the budget for overtime or additional hires. We are constantly looking for ways to more efficiently process claims

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