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Good luck with everything! The first time applying for unemployment can feel overwhelming but you've got this. Just take it one step at a time and don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it.
Just to add one final tip - make sure your contact information is always up to date in your Washington ESD account. If they can't reach you about your claim, it can cause delays or even stop your benefits.
The maximum 26 weeks can go by faster than you think. Make sure you're actively job searching from day one, not just going through the motions.
One more thing - make sure all your contact information is up to date with Washington ESD. If they need to reach you about your claim and can't, it can delay or stop your benefits.
Thanks everyone for explaining this! I was literally losing sleep thinking my old boss would have to pay my benefits directly. Knowing it comes from the insurance fund they already paid into makes me feel so much better about filing.
One last thing to remember - even if your employer contests your claim, Washington ESD makes the final decision based on the facts and state law. The employer's preference doesn't automatically disqualify you from benefits you're entitled to receive.
Jessica Nguyen
One last thing - set up direct deposit if you can. Paper checks take forever to arrive and can get lost in the mail. Much easier to have the money go straight to your bank account.
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Chloe Delgado
•Can I set that up when I first apply or do I have to wait?
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Jessica Nguyen
•You can set it up during the initial application process. Just have your bank routing and account numbers ready.
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Isaiah Thompson
Seriously though, if you run into problems getting through to Washington ESD on the phone, that Claimyr thing is worth checking out. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked for me when I needed to talk to someone about my pending adjudication.
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Chloe Delgado
•I'll definitely keep that in mind if I need to call them. Hopefully everything goes smoothly though!
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Isaiah Thompson
•Yeah fingers crossed! But good to know about the option just in case.
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