


Ask the community...
Make sure you file as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. There's no waiting period in Washington for the first week, and you can't get benefits for weeks before you file your initial claim.
One last thing - make sure all your employers from the base period are listed correctly on your claim. If Washington ESD is missing wages from an employer, it will lower your benefit calculation.
One more thing - make sure you file your claim the week you become unemployed, not when you run out of other income. Some people wait until their severance pay runs out, but you should file immediately after your last day of work.
The whole process is honestly a pain but worth doing if you qualify. Just be prepared for potential delays and have patience with the system. Keep detailed records of everything you submit.
Bottom line - file immediately, keep filing weekly claims, and don't give up if you hit obstacles. The system works but it takes persistence.
If you do end up needing to call Washington ESD for any reason and can't get through, that Claimyr service is legit. I was skeptical at first but it actually got me connected to an agent when I needed help with my claim status. Their demo video explains how it works if you want to check it out first.
Bottom line - with your current earnings you'll probably get the minimum benefit of $295/week if you qualify. Not great but it's something while you look for another job. Just make sure you understand all the requirements before you file.
Daniela Rossi
I used claimyr last month to get through to ESD about a different issue and it was honestly a lifesaver. Even though you probably won't qualify for benefits, it might be worth using their service to talk to an agent about what options exist for people in your situation. They might know about programs or resources that aren't widely publicized.
0 coins
Emily Nguyen-Smith
•How much does that service cost? I'm obviously pretty tight on money right now.
0 coins
Daniela Rossi
•It's worth checking their website for current pricing, but for me it was worth it to avoid hours of trying to get through on my own. Sometimes getting the right information quickly is worth the investment.
0 coins
Ryan Kim
Bottom line - focus your energy on job applications rather than trying to get unemployment benefits you're not eligible for. Use every resource available: job centers, online applications, networking, temp agencies. Once you get that first job, even if it's temporary, you'll start building the work history you need.
0 coins
Emily Nguyen-Smith
•You're absolutely right. I need to stop looking for shortcuts and just focus on finding work. Thanks for the reality check.
0 coins
Zoe Walker
•Don't give up! Everyone starts somewhere. That first job is always the hardest to get, but once you have some experience it gets easier.
0 coins