First time filing - what do I need to do to get unemployment benefits in Washington?

Do I need pay stubs or tax forms? I don't have all my old pay stubs saved.

No pay stubs needed for the initial application. Washington ESD will verify your wages with employers directly. Just have the basic employment info ready.

How many jobs do I need to apply for each week?

You need to make at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. Job applications, networking events, career fairs all count.

Same here! I called probably 50 times before I got through to anyone. Super frustrating when you're worried about your claim.

I actually found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. They have some system that gets you connected faster. Check out claimyr.com - there's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

That actually sounds really helpful. Did you use it yourself?

Yeah, I was stuck in adjudication for weeks and couldn't get anyone on the phone. Used Claimyr and got connected to an agent the same day who explained what documents I needed to submit.

Ugh 2-3 weeks? I was hoping it would be faster than that.

That's if there are no issues with your claim. If it goes into adjudication for any reason, it can take much longer - sometimes 6-8 weeks or more.

When do I need to do this by? Is there a deadline?

You should do it right after filing your initial claim. Washington ESD will send you instructions but don't wait for them - just go to worksourcewa.com and get it done.

Minor mistakes can usually be corrected but major errors might delay your claim. Double-check everything before submitting, especially your SSN and employment dates.

If you do make an error, you'll probably need to call Washington ESD to get it fixed, which brings us back to the phone problem everyone mentioned earlier.

What kind of details do I need to track?

employer name, position applied for, date, method of contact, any follow up. keep everything organized because if they audit you and your records are messy you could lose benefits

I only worked in Washington so I should be good there.

Perfect, then you're definitely filing in the right state.

What counts as suitable employment? Do I have to take any job offer?

Generally it needs to be in your field or pay at least 80% of your previous wage, but this gets more flexible the longer you're unemployed.

Is there a tutorial or guide somewhere?

Washington ESD has some video guides on their website but honestly they're pretty outdated. The interface has changed since those were made.

Good thinking, I wouldn't have thought of that.

Trust me, I learned this the hard way when my weekly claim didn't go through one week and I had no proof I tried to file it.

Regular UI benefits last up to 26 weeks in Washington, but the exact amount depends on your work history and wages earned in your base period.

What's a base period? They keep using these terms that make no sense.

Base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. Basically they look at your earnings over about a year to determine your benefits.

What causes a claim to go into adjudication anyway?

Lots of things - if your employer contests your claim, if there are questions about why you left your job, if you have any gaps in employment they need to verify. Pretty much any time they need more information to make a decision.

How quickly do I need to respond to those letters?

Usually they give you 10-14 days but don't wait until the last minute. The sooner you respond, the sooner they can process your claim.

Yeah I'm definitely feeling that anxiety already.

It gets easier once you get into the routine of filing weekly claims. The first few weeks are the most stressful.

What if I do some freelance work or side gigs?

Report it all. They have an earnings deduction formula so you might still get partial benefits, but hiding income is fraud and not worth the risk.

Thanks, this has all been really helpful. I feel a lot more prepared now.

You've got this! Just take it one step at a time and don't hesitate to ask questions if you get stuck.

Can I set that up when I first apply or do I have to wait?

You can set it up during the initial application process. Just have your bank routing and account numbers ready.

I'll definitely keep that in mind if I need to call them. Hopefully everything goes smoothly though!

Yeah fingers crossed! But good to know about the option just in case.