Confused about Washington ESD unemployment benefits questions - need guidance

First thing - don't panic! The Washington ESD process isn't as scary as it looks. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months. Since you worked retail for 2 years, you should definitely qualify. Start by creating an account on the Washington ESD website and filing your initial claim as soon as possible since there's a waiting week.

Make sure you file weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still processing! I made that mistake and lost benefits for the weeks I didn't file. Also keep track of any job search activities because Washington ESD requires you to look for work.

The hardest part is actually getting through to someone at Washington ESD if you have questions. I spent weeks trying to call and either got busy signals or got disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me through to an agent in minutes. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

ugh the whole system is such a mess. took me 6 weeks to get my first payment because they kept asking for more documentation. just be prepared to wait and wait and wait

Don't let that scare you - most claims process much faster than that. The key is making sure you provide accurate information upfront. When you file your initial claim, be very specific about your reason for separation. If you were laid off due to lack of work, say that clearly. If it goes to adjudication, that's when delays happen.

Also make sure you know the difference between being able and available vs being on standby. If your employer has you on temporary layoff and expects to call you back, that might be standby status which has different requirements.

Quick question - do you have to report any severance pay? My friend got laid off and received 2 weeks of severance and wasn't sure if that affects benefits.

The weekly benefit amount is based on your highest earning quarter in your base period. For most people that's the first four of the last five quarters before you filed. So if you file now in 2025, they'll look at your earnings from early 2024 through late 2024.

Don't forget you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits! They don't automatically withhold federal taxes so you might want to have them take out 10% or plan to pay at tax time.

One more thing about getting help - I tried the online messaging system first but never got responses. The callback feature rarely worked for me either. That's why I ended up using Claimyr when I needed to talk to someone about my adjudication status. Much more reliable than the regular contact methods.

Make sure you keep detailed records of everything - your job applications, any training you do, contact with employers. Washington ESD can audit your job search activities and you need proof of what you've been doing.

The whole thing is honestly pretty straightforward if you just follow the steps. File your claim, file weekly, look for work, report any earnings. Don't overthink it.

I'm going through this right now too and the waiting is the worst part. Filed 3 weeks ago and still says 'processing' with no updates. At least I can file my weekly claims but still no payments.

Remember that the first week is always a waiting week with no payment, so don't expect money immediately even if your claim is approved quickly. After that it's usually weekly payments if you keep filing and meet the requirements.

Another tip - make sure your contact information is current in your account. If Washington ESD needs to reach you and can't, it can delay your claim. Check your spam folder too because their emails sometimes end up there.

The job search requirement is 3 activities per week but they can be pretty flexible about what counts. Networking, attending workshops, updating your resume, job fairs - not just applications. Keep good records though.

If you get denied for any reason, don't give up! You can appeal the decision. I got initially denied because of a miscommunication about my last day of work, but the appeal went through and I got all my back benefits.

Last thing - if you work part-time while collecting benefits, you have to report those earnings. You can still get partial benefits as long as you don't earn more than your weekly benefit amount plus $5.

Overall the system works, it just takes patience and attention to detail. File early, file consistently, keep good records, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You'll get through this!