Can I apply for unemployment benefits online with Washington ESD?

Yes, you can absolutely apply online! Go to secure.esd.wa.gov and create your account if you don't have one already. The whole process is done through their website now - no need to visit an office. Make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months ready.

The online application is pretty straightforward but can take 30-45 minutes to complete. Don't rush through it because mistakes can cause delays in processing. I'd recommend having all your info organized before you start.

I struggled so much trying to get through to Washington ESD by phone to ask questions about my application. The hold times are absolutely ridiculous. I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you connected to a real person at Washington ESD without waiting on hold for hours. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. Saved me so much time and frustration!

Make sure you apply as soon as possible! Your benefit year starts the week you file your claim, not when you lost your job. I waited a week thinking I needed to organize everything first and basically lost a week of benefits.

The Washington ESD website can be a bit glitchy sometimes, especially during busy periods. If you get error messages, try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser. Chrome seems to work best in my experience.

After you submit your initial application online, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to get paid. This is also done online through the same website. Don't forget to do this even if your claim is still pending - you can't get retroactive weekly claims if you miss filing them.

Don't forget you'll need to register with WorkSource Washington as part of the process too. They usually send you information about this after you file, but you can get ahead of it by creating an account at worksourcewa.com.

I've been through this process twice now and honestly the online system is so much better than it used to be. Used to have to mail in forms and wait weeks just to get confirmation they received them. Now everything is instant and you can track your claim status online.

One thing to watch out for - make sure you answer all the questions accurately about why you lost your job. If you quit or were fired for misconduct, you might not be eligible. If you were laid off due to lack of work, you should be fine.

Just went through this last month when I got laid off. The online application was pretty easy but I had trouble reaching anyone at Washington ESD when I had questions about my claim status. Ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it was a lifesaver. Got connected to an actual person in like 10 minutes instead of calling all day and getting busy signals.

Make sure to keep copies of everything you submit online. Screenshot your confirmation pages and save any reference numbers they give you. I learned this the hard way when I had to prove I filed on a certain date.

The whole process is designed to be done online now, especially after COVID. Much more efficient than the old system. Just make sure you have a reliable internet connection and don't try to do it on your phone - the desktop version works much better.

One more thing - after you file online, you should get an email confirmation. If you don't see it within an hour or so, check your spam folder. Sometimes those emails get filtered out.