How can I collect unemployment benefits through Washington ESD - complete beginner guide needed

First step is to file your initial claim online at esd.wa.gov as soon as possible. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. Don't wait - there's a waiting week before you can receive benefits.

First step is to file your initial claim online at esd.wa.gov as soon as possible. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, employment history for the last 18 months (employers, dates, wages), and your bank account info for direct deposit. Don't wait - there's a waiting week so the sooner you file the better.

Make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still processing. I made the mistake of not doing this and lost out on benefits for those weeks.

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I needed help with my claim. The phone lines are always busy and I kept getting disconnected. I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. You can check out their demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ and their site claimyr.com. It was a lifesaver when I was stuck in adjudication.

After you file your initial claim, you have to file weekly claims every week to get paid. This is super important - even if your claim is still pending, you need to keep filing weekly or you'll lose those weeks of benefits.

The whole process can take 2-4 weeks before you see your first payment, so be prepared for that delay. Make sure you're actively looking for work because you'll need to report your job search activities.

If you run into issues contacting Washington ESD (which is pretty common), I had luck using Claimyr to get through to an actual agent. Their system calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ

OMG I'm so glad someone asked this! I got fired three weeks ago and I've been too scared to even start the process. I keep thinking I'm going to mess something up and not qualify.

The whole process can take 2-4 weeks to get your first payment, so don't panic if you don't see money right away. Your claim might go into adjudication if there are any questions about why you left your job.

UGH the Washington ESD website is so confusing!! I've been trying to figure this out for days and keep getting lost in all the different pages and forms.

Make sure you set up your online account with SecureAccess Washington (SAW) too. That's how you'll access everything - your claim status, payment history, job search log, all of it.

Don't forget about the job search requirements! You need to register with WorkSource Washington and log 3 job search activities per week. This includes things like applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, etc.

been there done that, took me forever to get approved

One more important thing - if you have any questions or issues with your claim, try calling Washington ESD early in the morning (like 7-8 AM) or during lunch time. Those are the best times to get through.

Important: You must be able and available for work to collect benefits. This means you can't be on vacation, sick, or otherwise unavailable when you file your weekly claims. Also, you need to register with WorkSource Washington for job search assistance.

Just to clarify the timeline - there's a one-week waiting period where you won't get paid, then it can take another 1-3 weeks for processing. So plan accordingly for your first payment.

I just went through this process last month. The online system is pretty straightforward once you get started. The hardest part for me was gathering all my employment info from the past year and a half.

Another thing about Claimyr - if your claim gets stuck in adjudication or you need to check on something specific, it's way easier than trying to get through the regular phone lines. I used it twice during my claim and it was worth it.

Pro tip: keep detailed records of everything - when you filed, what you submitted, any correspondence from Washington ESD. You'll want this if any issues come up later.

This is all so overwhelming. I just want to know I'll be able to pay rent next month while I look for a new job.

Don't forget you might be eligible for other benefits too like food stamps or housing assistance while you're unemployed. Check with DSHS for those programs.

One more thing - make sure you understand the difference between being laid off and being fired. If you were fired for misconduct you might not be eligible for benefits.

just file online and answer the questions honestly, its not that complicated once you actually start

The benefit amount depends on your previous wages. Washington ESD will calculate your weekly benefit amount based on your highest earning quarter in the base period. Maximum weekly benefit is currently around $844 per week.

Pro tip: Set up direct deposit when you file your claim. Paper checks take forever and can get lost in the mail. Electronic payments are much faster and more reliable.

If you run into any issues or your claim gets stuck, don't waste time trying to call Washington ESD directly. I spent weeks trying to get through. Services like Claimyr at claimyr.com can get you connected to an actual person who can help resolve issues quickly.

Final checklist for filing your claim: 1) File online at esd.wa.gov, 2) Register with WorkSource Washington, 3) File weekly claims every week, 4) Keep detailed job search records, 5) Respond promptly to any requests for information from Washington ESD. Follow these steps and you should be good to go.

Good luck with everything! The first time filing is always stressful but it gets easier once you understand the system.

one last thing - dont quit your job to collect unemployment, you have to be laid off or fired without cause

The waiting can be nerve-wracking but hang in there. Most people get approved if they're eligible and follow the rules. Just stay on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements.

And remember, if you need to speak with someone at Washington ESD and can't get through on your own, Claimyr has helped thousands of people connect with agents. Sometimes that direct contact is exactly what you need to get things moving.

Best of luck with your claim! Come back and update us on how it goes. Your experience might help the next person who's in your situation.

The system is honestly pretty user-friendly once you get used to it. I was intimidated at first too but it's not as complicated as it seems. Just take it step by step.

Make sure you understand the difference between being 'able and available' for work versus actively job searching. These are separate requirements and you need to meet both.

If you're confused about anything during the application process, there are actually some good video tutorials on the Washington ESD website that walk you through each step.

One thing I wish someone had told me - don't overthink the application. Answer the questions honestly and completely, but don't volunteer extra information that might complicate things unnecessarily.

The weekly benefit amount is based on your past wages, so don't expect to get your full salary replaced. It's usually about 50-60% of what you were making, up to the state maximum.

I second the recommendation about calling early or using Claimyr. I wasted so many hours trying to get through on the phone. Wish I had known about that service from the beginning!

Good luck with your claim! The whole process is stressful but thousands of people go through it successfully every week. You've got this!

Just to add - if you worked in multiple states recently, you might need to file in the state where you earned the most wages. But since you mentioned retail work, you probably worked in Washington so you should be fine filing with Washington ESD.