Bottom line - file immediately, don't wait another day. You can't get benefits for weeks before you file your initial claim, so every day you wait is money you're losing. The process is pretty straightforward online and you can always get help if you run into issues.

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - file TODAY if you haven't already! I made the same mistake when I got laid off from my marketing job last year. Waited almost 3 weeks because I thought I needed to "try harder" to find work first or something. Huge mistake. Lost out on nearly $2,000 in benefits that I could never get back. Washington State makes it super clear that you can't backdate claims, so every day you wait is literally money out of your pocket. The online application at esd.wa.gov is actually pretty user-friendly - took me about 45 minutes when I finally did it. Have your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and your last employer's info ready. Don't overthink it, just get it done!

Update us when you get it filed! Always good to hear success stories for people who are still figuring out the process.

Just wanted to add that I went through this exact same situation last year - lived in Bellingham but worked in Vancouver, WA. Filed with Washington ESD and it was totally straightforward. The system doesn't care about distance within the state, just that your wages were earned in Washington. One tip: make sure you have your Social Security card handy when you file online, they ask for it during the verification process. Don't let the fear of making a mistake stop you from filing - you can always correct information later if needed, but you can't get back the time you lose by waiting!

Bottom line - file with Washington ESD since you worked in Washington. Living location doesn't matter for which state's unemployment system you use.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact same situation last year! I lived in Bellingham but worked in Seattle, and I was equally confused about where to file. Like everyone else has confirmed, you definitely file with Washington ESD since that's where you earned your wages. The online application is pretty user-friendly once you get started. One tip - if you get stuck during the application process, don't refresh the page or you might lose your progress. Save frequently as you go through each section. Also, make sure you have your last day of work date handy - they'll ask for that early in the process. Good luck with your claim!

Identity verification holds are actually shown in your eServices account under

I'm in a similar situation - just reactivated my claim after being off unemployment for about a year and switched to a new bank account. My claim shows "paid" as of yesterday but nothing in my account yet. Reading through these responses is really helpful! I had no idea that first payments to new accounts might take an extra day for verification. Going to wait the full 3-4 business days before getting worried. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is such a lifesaver when dealing with ESD!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - 6 weeks is absolutely unacceptable for a basic unemployment claim. From what I've seen in this thread and my own experience, Washington ESD's phone system is completely overwhelmed and broken. A few practical suggestions: 1) Document everything - keep a log of every call attempt with dates and times, 2) Try calling the employer services line instead of the claimant line - sometimes you can get transferred to someone who can help, 3) File a complaint with the Washington State Auditor's office about the delays, and 4) Based on the positive feedback here, the Claimyr service seems worth trying if you can afford it. Don't let them wear you down - you've earned these benefits and deserve to receive them in a reasonable timeframe. Keep us posted on what works!

I went through almost the exact same thing last year - filed in February and didn't see a penny until May. What finally worked for me was contacting my state representative's office. I was skeptical at first but their constituent services staff actually reached out to Washington ESD on my behalf and got my case escalated. Turns out my claim had been flagged for some minor discrepancy in my work history that could have been cleared up in 5 minutes if anyone had bothered to look at it. The rep's office got me a direct callback from an ESD supervisor within 3 days, and my benefits started flowing the following week with full back pay. It's worth a shot - your tax dollars pay their salaries, so don't feel bad about asking for help when the system is clearly failing you.