Basic questions about unemployment benefits in Washington - need guidance

First thing - file your claim ASAP! Don't wait because your benefit year starts when you file, not when you got laid off. UI just means 'unemployment insurance' - same thing as regular unemployment benefits. You'll need to file weekly claims every week to get paid, and yes, you need to do 3 job search activities per week and log them in your WorkSourceWA account.

Don't stress too much about it. The Washington ESD system walks you through everything step by step. Just go to esd.wa.gov and start your application. It'll ask for your employment history, Social Security number, and banking info for direct deposit. The hardest part is usually getting through on the phone if you have questions.

Actually, I just discovered something that might help with the phone issue. I was struggling to get through to Washington ESD for weeks - kept getting busy signals or hung up on. Then someone told me about this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to agents. I was skeptical at first, but I tried it last week and actually got connected to someone within 30 minutes. They have a demo video that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Might be worth checking out if you run into issues and need to talk to someone.

UGH the whole system is such a nightmare! I've been trying to figure out my claim status for WEEKS and can't get through to anyone. The website is confusing, the phone lines are always busy, and nobody explains anything clearly. How are people supposed to navigate this bureaucratic mess when they're already stressed about losing their job?

For anyone dealing with adjudication delays - that's when Washington ESD is reviewing something about your claim that needs clarification. Common reasons include quit vs. layoff disputes, wage discrepancies, or questions about your availability to work. It can take 2-6 weeks unfortunately, but they will eventually make a determination.

Just want to add that you should also sign up for WorkSourceWA immediately. That's where you'll log your job search activities and it's required to maintain your benefits. Don't wait until your first weekly claim to set this up.

One thing that helped me was understanding the difference between filing your initial claim and filing weekly claims. Your initial claim establishes your benefit amount and eligibility. Then every week you have to file a weekly claim to actually get paid for that week. Miss a week and you won't get paid for it.

Back to the phone situation - I know I mentioned Claimyr earlier, but seriously, if you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD, it's worth trying. I wasted so many hours redialing before I found that service. Sometimes you just need to talk to a human to get things sorted out.

This is all really helpful everyone. I think I'm going to file today and just take it one step at a time. Better to get started than keep putting it off because I'm confused.

Still think the whole system is designed to make people give up. Why should it be this complicated to get benefits you paid into?

Does anyone know if there are income limits for unemployment? Like if my spouse is working, does that affect my benefits?

Another tip - if you do any part-time or temporary work while collecting benefits, make sure to report it on your weekly claim. You can still receive partial benefits in many cases, but you have to be honest about any income.

I wish someone had told me about the waiting week when I first filed. In Washington, your first week is a waiting week - you file the claim but don't get paid for that week. It's not lost money, you'll get it when your claim ends, but it's good to know upfront.

Been collecting for 2 months now and the routine is pretty straightforward once you get used to it. File your weekly claim every Sunday (I do it first thing in the morning), log your job searches in WorkSourceWA, and keep looking for work. The benefits aren't huge but they definitely help with basic expenses.

One more thing about getting help - I know not everyone wants to use a service like Claimyr, but if you're really stuck and need to talk to Washington ESD, it's an option. Sometimes you just need that human interaction to resolve an issue that's holding up your claim.

Just to summarize for the original poster - file your claim immediately at esd.wa.gov, set up your WorkSourceWA account, be prepared for a one-week delay in your first payment, and file weekly claims every week. Document everything and don't be afraid to ask questions. The system has its quirks but thousands of people navigate it successfully every week.