How do I claim my unemployment benefits through Washington ESD?

Thank you! Do I need pay stubs or just the basic job info like dates and employer names?

Just the basic info for the initial application - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. They might ask for documentation later if needed.

Weekly claims? So filing the first application isn't enough to get benefits?

Nope, the initial claim just establishes your eligibility. You have to certify every week that you're still unemployed and looking for work to get your weekly payment.

This is really important - missing even one weekly claim can delay your benefits. Set a reminder on your phone.

Is that legit? Sounds too good to be true with how impossible it is to reach anyone at Washington ESD.

I was skeptical too but it actually worked. Got connected to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending all day redialing.

3 job searches per week? That seems like a lot when I'm just starting to look.

It's really not that bad once you get into a routine. Applying online, networking, even attending job fairs all count as contacts.

And make sure you're using WorkSourceWA to log your job searches. Washington ESD integrates with that system.

6 weeks?? I can't wait that long for money. What kind of verification did they want?

identity verification mostly. they wanted multiple forms of ID and kept rejecting what i sent. super frustrating

What does adjudication mean exactly? That sounds scary.

Adjudication just means they're reviewing your claim to make sure you qualify. Could be because of how you left your job, wage discrepancies, or just random verification. Usually resolves within a few weeks.

Mine was in adjudication for a month because my employer disputed my claim. Eventually got approved but the wait was brutal.

3 weeks isn't unusual, especially if your claim is being reviewed. Check your account online - does it show any action items or just 'pending'?

Just says pending. No action items or anything to do on my end.

This is exactly when Claimyr helped me. I was able to call and get an actual update on my claim status instead of just wondering what was happening.

Wait, so even if I file this week I won't get paid for it?

Exactly. You still need to file the weekly claim for that first week, but you won't get paid for it. It's just how the system works.

Good to know. I was thinking about visiting family next week but maybe I should wait.

You can still travel, just make sure you report it honestly on your weekly claim. They deduct those days from your payment.

There's an app? What's it called?

Just search 'Washington ESD' in your app store. Makes the weekly filing much quicker.

Yes, unemployment benefits are taxable income. Washington ESD will send you a 1099-G form at the end of the year. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments if you want.

Thanks, good to know ahead of time so I don't get surprised next tax season.

How often should I call to follow up? I don't want to be annoying but I also need to make sure things are moving.

If your claim has been pending for more than 3-4 weeks with no updates, definitely call. Before that, probably once a week is reasonable.

Or use Claimyr to actually get through instead of spending hours redialing. Much less frustrating than the regular phone system.

You can make corrections, but it's better to be careful the first time. Some changes require calling Washington ESD or submitting forms, which can delay your claim.

Okay, I'll double-check everything before submitting. Better safe than sorry.

That's really frustrating. Have you tried contacting your state representative's office? Sometimes they can help escalate issues that are stuck in the system.

Didn't know that was an option. Thanks for the tip!

Do they do direct deposit or mail checks?

Both options available, but direct deposit is much faster. Checks can take up to a week to arrive in the mail.

30 minutes doesn't sound too bad. Was there anything that tripped you up?

just remembering exact dates for all my previous jobs. wish i had kept better records

Interesting, I didn't know that. How do they calculate the exact weekly amount?

It's pretty complicated - based on your total wages in your base period divided by a certain number. The Washington ESD website has a calculator you can use to estimate.

What if I just do some gig work like DoorDash occasionally?

That counts as work too. Report all income, even gig work. They'll reduce your weekly benefit accordingly but you won't get in trouble for fraud.

This is super important. Unreported income is one of the main reasons people get overpayment notices later.

Glad we could help! Remember to file your weekly claims even while your initial claim is being processed.

This thread has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident about filing now.

Good luck everyone! And remember Claimyr is there if you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD.