How can I get unemployment benefits in Washington - complete beginner here
Hi everyone, I just lost my job last week and I'm completely lost about how to apply for unemployment benefits. I've never done this before and honestly don't even know where to start. Can someone walk me through the basic steps of how to get unemployment benefits? I keep seeing different websites and I'm not sure which one is the official one. Also, how long does it usually take to get approved? I'm really stressed about paying my bills next month.
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QuantumQuester
First step is to file your initial claim on the Washington ESD website at esd.wa.gov. You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and reason for separation from your job. Make sure you apply as soon as possible since there's a waiting period.
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Carmen Vega
•Thank you! Do I need to have all my pay stubs or just know the dates and amounts?
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QuantumQuester
•You'll need employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and gross wages. Pay stubs help but you can estimate if you don't have them all.
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Andre Moreau
The process is pretty straightforward but there's a one week waiting period before you can receive benefits. You also have to file weekly claims every week even while your initial claim is being processed.
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Carmen Vega
•What happens if I miss filing a weekly claim? Do I lose everything?
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Andre Moreau
•You won't lose everything but you might not get paid for that week. You can sometimes file late claims but it's better to stay on schedule.
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Zoe Stavros
If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD by phone to check on your claim status, I discovered this service called Claimyr that helped me connect with an agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.
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Jamal Harris
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already stressed about money.
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Zoe Stavros
•It's worth checking out their site for details. For me it was much better than spending entire days trying to call and never getting through.
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Carmen Vega
•I'll definitely look into that if I have problems reaching someone. Thanks for the tip!
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Mei Chen
You'll also need to register with WorkSourceWA and complete job search activities. Washington requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week unless you're in a training program or have standby status with your employer.
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Carmen Vega
•What counts as a job search contact? Does applying online count?
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Mei Chen
•Yes, online applications count. You can also attend job fairs, networking events, or informational interviews. Keep detailed records of everything.
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Liam Sullivan
ugh the whole system is so confusing, i applied 2 weeks ago and still haven't heard anything back
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QuantumQuester
•Two weeks isn't unusual, especially if your claim needs adjudication. Have you checked your account online for any pending issues?
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Liam Sullivan
•what's adjudication?? this is all so overwhelming
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Mei Chen
•Adjudication is when they review your claim for any issues like your reason for leaving your job. It can take several weeks but they'll contact you if they need more information.
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Amara Okafor
Make sure you have a good reason for being unemployed. If you quit voluntarily or were fired for misconduct, you might not qualify. Being laid off or losing your job through no fault of your own usually qualifies you.
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Carmen Vega
•I was laid off due to company downsizing, so I think I should be okay on that front.
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Amara Okafor
•That should definitely qualify you. Just make sure to be honest about everything when you file.
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Jamal Harris
The weekly benefit amount depends on your earnings during your base period. They look at the highest quarter of earnings in your base period to calculate it. Maximum is around $999 per week in Washington right now.
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Carmen Vega
•How do I know what my base period is?
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Jamal Harris
•It's usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file now in 2025, it would be Q1 2024 through Q4 2024.
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QuantumQuester
•That's correct, though sometimes they use an alternate base period if you don't have enough wages in the standard one.
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Andre Moreau
Don't forget you have to be able and available for work. That means you can't be on vacation, too sick to work, or have other restrictions that prevent you from accepting suitable employment.
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Carmen Vega
•What if I have some medical appointments coming up? Will that affect anything?
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Andre Moreau
•A few medical appointments shouldn't be a problem as long as you're generally available for work. Just be honest when filing your weekly claims.
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CosmicCommander
I've been getting benefits for 8 weeks now and the process gets easier once you understand it. The hardest part is the initial setup and waiting for approval.
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Carmen Vega
•That's encouraging to hear! How long did it take for your first payment?
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CosmicCommander
•About 3 weeks total including the waiting week. Once it started though, payments came regularly every week.
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Liam Sullivan
this is all making my head spin... why does it have to be so complicated??
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QuantumQuester
•I know it seems overwhelming at first, but take it one step at a time. File your initial claim first, then worry about the weekly claims and job search requirements.
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Amara Okafor
•The Washington ESD website actually has pretty good step-by-step guides if you look around. Don't try to figure everything out at once.
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Giovanni Colombo
Pro tip: set up direct deposit when you file. Otherwise you'll be waiting for checks in the mail which takes longer.
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Carmen Vega
•Good advice! I definitely want to get payments as fast as possible.
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Zoe Stavros
If you run into issues with your claim getting stuck or need to speak with someone at Washington ESD, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really does work. I was skeptical at first but after trying to call for days with no luck, it got me connected to an agent in under an hour.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•I might need to try that. I've been calling every morning for a week and keep getting the busy signal or hung up on.
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Zoe Stavros
•Yeah that's exactly what was happening to me. The call volume to Washington ESD is just insane right now.
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Dylan Cooper
Remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them later, but don't forget about it come tax time.
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Carmen Vega
•Oh wow, I didn't think about taxes. Should I have them withheld or pay later?
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Dylan Cooper
•Depends on your situation. If you think you'll have trouble saving money for taxes, it's probably safer to have them withheld.
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Mei Chen
Also be aware that if you start working part-time while collecting benefits, you need to report all earnings. They'll reduce your weekly benefit amount but you might still get something depending on how much you earn.
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Carmen Vega
•That's good to know. I wasn't sure if I could work at all while getting unemployment.
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Mei Chen
•You can work, just report everything honestly. They have formulas to calculate how much your benefit gets reduced.
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Sofia Ramirez
One more thing - keep good records of everything. Save confirmation numbers, print important pages, and document all your job search activities. You never know when you'll need to prove something.
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Carmen Vega
•Should I start a spreadsheet or something?
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Sofia Ramirez
•That's not a bad idea! At minimum keep a simple log of your job applications with dates, company names, and positions.
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Dmitry Volkov
The Washington ESD mobile app is actually pretty convenient for filing weekly claims once you get set up. Easier than logging into the website every time.
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Carmen Vega
•I'll definitely download that. Thanks for all the help everyone!
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QuantumQuester
You're welcome! Don't hesitate to ask if you run into specific issues. The unemployment system can be confusing but there are usually solutions to most problems.
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Carmen Vega
•This community seems really helpful. I feel much more confident about starting the process now.
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StarSeeker
just remember to file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still pending! that's super important
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Carmen Vega
•Got it! I'll make sure to keep up with those no matter what.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
Update: I tried that Claimyr thing and actually got through to Washington ESD today! Finally got my adjudication issue resolved. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person.
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Carmen Vega
•That's great news! I'll definitely keep that option in mind if I need it.
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Zoe Stavros
•Glad it worked for you too! It really is a lifesaver when you can't get through the normal way.
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Ava Martinez
Good luck with your claim! The whole process is stressful but once you get through the initial setup it becomes pretty routine.
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Carmen Vega
•Thank you! I'm going to start my application tonight.
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