Bottom line - you don't need any special unemployment number before filing. Just go to the Washington ESD website and start your application. The system will take care of assigning you all the numbers you need.

I went through this same confusion last year! The Washington ESD system definitely isn't the most intuitive. Just to add to what others have said - when you file your initial claim online, make sure you have about 30-45 minutes to complete the whole application in one sitting. The system can time out if you take too long, and you might have to start over. Also, double-check all your employment dates and employer information before submitting because it's harder to correct mistakes later. Good luck with your claim!

Just wanted to add my experience from getting audited last month - ESD specifically asked for proof that I actually completed the online activities I logged. They wanted to see browser history, completion certificates, or screenshots showing I finished the videos/courses. For YouTube videos, I now save them to a playlist called "Job Search Activities" and take a screenshot when the video ends. For online courses or workshops, I make sure to complete any quizzes or get completion certificates when available. Also, @Miguel Diaz - regarding your question about mixing activities, I'd recommend no more than 1-2 online resources per week out of your 3 required activities. ESD prefers to see active job searching (applications, networking events, informational interviews) rather than just passive learning. The online stuff is great as a supplement, but don't rely on it entirely for your weekly requirements. One last tip: if you're using resources your WorkSource advisor recommended, mention that in your log entry. Something like "Completed resume workshop video recommended by WorkSource advisor [Name] during 3/28 appointment." This shows you're actively engaged with the reemployment services.

Great question Miguel! I just went through this same situation a few months ago. Here's what worked for me when logging WorkSource-recommended online resources: **For your job search log:** - Activity Type: "Skills Development" or "Career Services" - Resource Name: Full title of the video/website (not just the URL) - Date & Time: When you completed it + how long you spent - Description: What specific skills you learned and how it applies to your job search - Source: "Recommended by WorkSource Advisor [Name] on [Date]" **Important tips:** - Keep the actual URLs in a separate document for your records - Take a screenshot when you finish each video as proof - Spend at least 30 minutes per activity to meet ESD standards - Mix these with actual job applications - don't do all 3 activities as online learning When filing your weekly claim, yes you can answer that you completed your job search activities. If there's a field asking for details, mention "Completed WorkSource-recommended career development activities" along with any job applications you submitted. I've never been audited, but I keep detailed records just in case. The key is being specific about what you learned and how it helps your job search rather than just listing "watched video.

I'm dealing with a similar issue right now - can't find my account number anywhere and my claim has been stuck in pending status for over a week. This whole system is so confusing for people who are already stressed about being unemployed. It's frustrating that such basic information is so hard to locate. Thanks for posting this question, the responses have been really helpful in giving me some new places to look.

I just went through this exact same nightmare last month! After hours of searching, I finally found my account number on the very first email I received from Washington ESD when I submitted my initial application - it was literally buried in a paragraph of fine print that I had completely skipped over. The email subject was something like "Application Received Confirmation" and the account number was formatted exactly like @Fatima Al-Farsi mentioned (numbers followed by letters). One thing I learned is to always screenshot or save that initial confirmation email because apparently that's the only reliable place they put your account number upfront. It's absolutely ridiculous that they don't display it prominently on your dashboard or include it in every communication. For what it's worth, once I found my account number and finally got through to an agent (took about 15 tries over two days), they were actually pretty helpful in resolving my pending claim issue. The system is definitely broken but there is light at the end of the tunnel!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation where my seasonal job ended and my claims are showing as disqualified with "adjudication in progress." Reading through everyone's experiences, it seems like employer reporting errors are pretty common. @Ava Martinez I'm so glad you were able to get through and figure out what was happening! The Claimyr service sounds like a lifesaver - I think I'm going to try that too since I've been getting nowhere with the regular phone lines. It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops just to get basic information about our own claims. For anyone else in this situation - definitely keep filing those weekly claims even when they show disqualified! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and advice.

I'm going through something very similar right now with my seasonal hospitality job that ended last month. Like you, I got zero communication about why my claims were disqualified or what the adjudication issue even was. It's absolutely maddening! Reading through this thread has been so helpful though - especially learning that employer reporting errors are apparently super common. I had no idea that employers could just incorrectly report that you quit instead of being laid off and cause all this chaos. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service to actually get through to someone. It's ridiculous that we have to pay a third party service just to talk to ESD about our own benefits, but if it works it's worth it. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - at least now I know I'm not alone in dealing with this broken system!

awesome! make sure you file your first weekly claim as soon as you get your determination letter. and remember its every sunday after that. set a reminder on your phone so you dont forget

I just want to add one more thing that helped me when I filed last year - keep a detailed folder (physical or digital) with all your unemployment documents. This includes your determination letter, weekly claim confirmations, job search records, and any correspondence with Washington ESD. If you ever get audited or have questions later, having everything organized will save you so much stress. Also, screenshot your weekly claim submissions as proof you filed on time. The system can sometimes glitch and it's good to have backup documentation.