When I was on unemployment last year, I always wrote down my job searches in a notebook before entering them anywhere. Saved me a couple times when the website crashed or I had to use the phone. Just a tip!

To answer your question about deadlines - there's no hard deadline for entering job searches after filing by phone, but you should do it as soon as possible. If you're selected for a job search review (which can happen randomly), you'll typically be given a deadline to provide documentation. Pro tip: ESD recommends that you maintain your job search records for at least 60 days after the week you're claiming. So even if you enter them online, keep your own backup records with all the details (company name, contact info, position, application date, etc).

one more thing - if ur using a cell phone to call try using a landline if u can. my buddy swears the ESD phone system treats landline calls differently and he got thru after trying from his moms house phone when his cell kept getting hung up on

thats just superstition lol a phone is a phone

One more important thing to mention - if you file a new claim now, they'll evaluate your earnings from roughly October 2023 through September 2024 (your base year). If you had higher earnings during that period compared to the period they used for your September claim, your weekly benefit amount could actually be higher now. This is another reason filing a new claim makes sense in your situation.

dont forget u need to do ur work search activities!!! standby means u dont have to search for work but regular unemployment u gotta do 3 job search activities every week and log them. they're super strict about this now

Update on current ESD login issues: There's an official notice on the ESD website now about intermittent login problems affecting some accounts. They're working on it, but no estimated fix date has been provided. In the meantime, if you absolutely can't get in and need to file your weekly claim, you can request a backdate for your weekly claim by calling and leaving a message explaining the technical issues prevented timely filing. Be sure to document all your attempts to log in (screenshots of error messages with dates/times) as evidence if needed later.

Success!! I just got back into my account! For anyone with similar problems, here's what worked: 1. Waited full 24 hours after lockout 2. Used Firefox instead of Chrome 3. Cleared ALL browser data 4. Logged into SAW first (secureaccess.wa.gov) 5. Typed password manually instead of autofill Thank you everyone for the suggestions. Now I can finally file my weekly claim!

To clarify something that might be confusing you: When ESD says they "sent a message," they often mean through the employer's online portal in eServices, not via email or physical mail. Many employers (especially larger companies) have dedicated staff who handle unemployment claims through this system. Your direct manager might not be aware of these communications. It might be worth contacting your former employer's HR department specifically, not just your old manager, to see if they've received anything from ESD. Sometimes these requests go to a centralized department or even a third-party company that handles unemployment claims for the employer.

u should call esd again and ask 4 a tier 3 agent!! they have more powers to c whats happening with ur claim! the regular agents just read the notes on the screen but tier 3 can actually DO stuff!!