One last thing - make sure your address and contact information is up to date with Washington ESD. They'll need to be able to reach you during the claims process.

I'm also a DACA recipient and went through this process last year when I was laid off from my marketing job. Can confirm that you're absolutely eligible! The process was straightforward - I just needed my EAD card and Social Security number like everyone else. Washington ESD didn't give me any issues about my DACA status at all. The only thing I'd add is to make sure you're familiar with the WorkSourceWA website since you'll need to register there for job search activities. Best of luck with your claim!

UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD using that Claimyr service someone suggested! The agent told me my case was flagged because my employer said I was fired for attendance issues, but I had documentation showing their policy wasn't followed properly. The agent helped me submit the right documentation and said my case should be reviewed within 7-10 days now instead of waiting in the general queue for weeks. Feeling hopeful for the first time in days!

Really glad to hear you got through and have some clarity now! That's exactly why documentation is so important in these cases. Employers will often claim misconduct or policy violations to avoid paying unemployment taxes, but if they didn't follow their own procedures properly, that usually works in your favor. The fact that an actual ESD agent is now handling your case instead of it sitting in the general queue should make a huge difference. 7-10 days is so much better than the 4-8 weeks most people are waiting right now. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation - always save any emails, write-ups, policy documents, or communications with your employer. Even if it seems minor at the time, it could be crucial evidence if your unemployment claim gets contested. Hope you get good news soon and can finally get the benefits you're entitled to!

Bottom line: you can collect unemployment starting from the week you file your claim, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. Don't overthink it - just file as soon as possible after losing your job and let Washington ESD determine your eligibility.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you have your W-2s or pay stubs from the last 18 months ready when you file. Washington ESD will need to verify your earnings history to calculate your benefit amount, and having those documents handy will speed up the process. Also, if you have any separation paperwork from your employer (layoff notice, etc.), keep that available too in case they need it during the review process.

Just to follow up on my earlier comment - once you get through to someone, ask them to note in your file that you've legally changed your name. This is important because if you ever need to file for unemployment in the future, having mismatched names in their system can cause all sorts of delays in getting your claim processed. Make sure everything matches what's on your Social Security card.

I just went through this exact same process two weeks ago! Call early in the morning (I called at 8:15am) and select option 3 for "General Account Questions." When you get through, tell them right away that you need to update your name due to marriage and that you're NOT on an active claim - this helps them route you to the right person faster. The whole process took about 15 minutes once I got connected. They asked for my SSN, old name, new name, and the date on my marriage certificate. I didn't have to upload anything - they just verified the info over the phone and updated it in their system immediately. They also sent me a confirmation email afterward. One tip: have your marriage certificate in front of you because they'll ask for specific details like the county where you got married and the exact date. Good luck!

Good news - it sounds like you'll be getting a new claim. The process you're describing is exactly how ESD handles new benefit years. They'll evaluate your work history during your previous benefit year, and if you earned enough in wages during that time, you qualify for a new claim. This is why keeping accurate records of all employment while on UI is important. Make sure to provide all the information they're asking for in the verification request. If all goes well, you'll soon receive a proper monetary determination letter stating your new weekly benefit amount and the total benefit amount for this new claim. After that, you'll just need to start filing weekly claims again.

This is actually a really positive sign! I went through something very similar about 6 months ago. The $2 deposit is ESD's way of testing your bank account before they start sending regular payments again. When they ask for work history verification after your claim has been exhausted, it usually means their system detected that you might have earned enough wages during your benefit year to qualify for a new claim period. Here's what likely happened: while you were on your original claim, you probably worked some part-time jobs or had other employment that created new wage credits. ESD's system automatically reviews these situations when your benefit year is about to expire or has expired. My advice: complete that work history verification ASAP - don't wait. When I did mine, I got approved for a brand new claim within about 2 weeks. The monetary redetermination will show you exactly how much you'll get per week if approved. In my case, I ended up getting another 20+ weeks of benefits that I had no idea I was eligible for. Keep checking your eServices account daily for updates. This is likely going to work out well for you!