How can you file unemployment - complete Washington ESD filing process?

You'll want 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 past 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates of employment. Don't wait - there's a one-week waiting period before benefits start, so the sooner you apply the better.

The online application is pretty straightforward but make sure you have a quiet hour to complete it without interruptions. It asks detailed questions about why you're unemployed and your work history. Save your confirmation number when you're done!

If you run into issues reaching Washington ESD by phone (which you probably will), I recently discovered claimyr.com which actually got me through to an agent in under 30 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Way better than spending hours hitting redial.

After you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits. This includes weeks where you're looking for work but haven't found anything yet. Miss a week and you lose benefits for that period.

ugh the whole system is such a nightmare... took me 6 weeks to get my first payment because they kept asking for more verification documents. Make sure you upload everything they ask for IMMEDIATELY or you'll be waiting forever

Don't let the horror stories scare you too much. Most claims are processed within 2-3 weeks if everything is complete and accurate. The key is being thorough on your initial application and responding quickly to any requests for additional information.

Also important to know - you have to be actively looking for work and able to work to receive benefits. They'll ask about your job search activities on your weekly claims, so keep a log of where you've applied.

Make sure to report any part-time work or odd jobs you do while collecting unemployment. Even small amounts need to be reported on your weekly claims or you could face overpayment issues later.

Just want to mention again that Claimyr really saved me when I needed to talk to someone about my claim. The Washington ESD phone system is basically impossible to get through otherwise, especially during busy periods.

Pro tip: file your claim on Sunday evening or Monday morning. The system is usually less busy then and you're less likely to experience technical issues.

Don't forget to set up direct deposit when you file your claim. Paper checks take way longer to arrive and can get lost in the mail.

been filing claims for 8 weeks now and still waiting... the adjudication process is taking forever and nobody at Washington ESD can tell me why. This system is broken

The website has a really helpful FAQ section that answers most questions about filing and weekly claims. I bookmarked it because I kept having to look things up.

Make sure your contact information is current in the system. I missed important notices because they were sending mail to my old address and it delayed my claim approval.

If you get disqualified for any reason, don't panic. You can appeal the decision and it's often worth doing even if you're not sure about your case.

The mobile website works pretty well too if you need to file your weekly claims when you're away from a computer. Just make sure you're on a secure connection.

thank you all for this info! I was dreading having to figure this out on my own. Sounds like the key is being thorough and patient with the process.