Can you file for unemployment in Washington - confused about the process

Thank you! Do I need pay stubs or just dates and employer info?

Just dates, employer names, addresses, and your gross wages. Washington ESD will verify with your employers directly.

Same here! The phone system is awful. I kept getting disconnected after waiting on hold for hours.

I actually found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to Washington ESD agents. They have this system that calls for you and connects you when an agent picks up. Check out claimyr.com - there's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Interesting, I've never heard of that. Did it actually work for you?

Yeah, got connected within 30 minutes instead of spending all day redialing. Worth it when you need to resolve claim issues.

What happens if I miss filing a weekly claim?

You won't get paid for that week and it could mess up your whole claim. Set a reminder to file every Sunday.

3 activities per week? What counts as an activity?

Job applications, attending job fairs, networking events, skills training, even informational interviews. Just make sure you document everything in your WorkSourceWA account.

What's adjudication? That sounds scary.

It's when Washington ESD needs to investigate something about your claim - like why you left your job or if you're eligible. It's frustrating because you just wait with no updates.

That's exactly when Claimyr was helpful for me. I needed to talk to someone about my adjudication status and couldn't get through the regular phone lines.

Is that different from documenting job searches?

Yes, registration is a one-time thing where you create your profile and upload your resume. The job search documentation is ongoing weekly.

I was laid off due to budget cuts, so that should be straightforward right?

Yes, layoffs are usually the easiest to process. Just make sure you have the exact dates and reason from your employer.

That's terrifying. How did you survive for 3 months without income?

credit cards and help from family. not everyone has that option though

Good point. How long does it usually take to get the first payment?

If everything goes smoothly, about 2-3 weeks after you file. But that's only if there are no issues with your claim.

Did you need to know exact salary amounts or just approximate?

Approximate is fine for the application. Washington ESD gets the exact amounts from your employers directly.

Oh no, I didn't think about taxes. How much do they typically withhold?

I think it's 10% federal if you choose withholding. Washington state doesn't have income tax so that's not a concern.

That sounds convenient. Is the job search requirement waived for anyone?

Some people on standby status don't have to search, but most regular UI claimants need to do the 3 activities per week.

I know it seems overwhelming but hopefully it gets easier once you're in the routine.

maybe. just frustrated that i have to jump through hoops when i already lost my job

That's smart. I'll start doing that from day one.

Trust me, it saves so much hassle later. I had to prove I filed a weekly claim once and the screenshot was the only evidence I had.

How much does something like that cost though?

I'd rather pay a reasonable fee than waste entire days redialing. Check their website for current pricing - claimyr.com has all the details.

My employer said the layoff is permanent due to budget cuts, so I think I need regular unemployment.

Yes, that would be regular UI. Standby is usually for temporary layoffs with expected recall dates.

I agree it seems unfair. Is there any way around the waiting week?

Nope, everyone has to do it. Just part of the Washington ESD process unfortunately.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more prepared to start the application process now.

You're welcome! Don't hesitate to ask more questions as you go through the process. This community is pretty good about helping each other out.