How do I file a new unemployment claim with Washington ESD - need step by step help

You'll want to file your claim as soon as possible since there's usually a waiting week. Go to esd.wa.gov and look for the 'Apply for Benefits' section. 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.

Make sure you have your reason for separation clear. If you were laid off due to lack of work, that's usually straightforward. If there were performance issues or anything else, be honest but brief in your explanation.

The initial application usually takes about 20-30 minutes if you have all your info ready. After you submit, you'll get a determination letter in about a week. If there are any issues with your claim, it might go into adjudication which can take longer.

Pro tip - if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your claim status or have questions, the phone lines are usually swamped. I discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to actual agents without waiting on hold forever. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

dont forget you have to file weekly claims every week even while your initial claim is being processed!! i made that mistake and it delayed everything

The job search requirement is 3 job contacts per week in Washington. You'll need to log them in your WorkSourceWA account. Make sure you understand this before you start filing weekly claims because they can disqualify you if you don't meet the requirements.

I filed my claim 2 months ago and STILL haven't heard anything back from Washington ESD. Their system is completely broken. I've called probably 500 times and either get disconnected or told to wait. This is ridiculous when people need money to survive.

Make sure you keep copies of everything you submit. I had to resubmit documents twice because they claimed they never received them. Also, check your spam folder regularly because some of their emails end up there.

One thing that helped me was filing early in the morning on a Tuesday. I heard Mondays are the worst because everyone files then. Not sure if it actually matters but my claim seemed to process faster.

The Washington ESD website crashed on me three times while I was filing. So frustrating! I finally got through by using a different browser. Chrome kept timing out but Firefox worked fine.

Just to clarify the timeline - you file your initial claim, then wait for a determination letter (usually 5-10 business days). Once approved, your weekly benefit amount will be listed and you can start collecting by filing weekly claims. The first week is typically a waiting week with no payment.

I'm going through this same process right now. Filed my claim a week ago and just got my determination letter today - approved! The hardest part was gathering all the employment information. I had to contact old employers for addresses and exact dates.

Make sure your mailing address is correct in the system. I moved recently and forgot to update it, so my determination letter went to my old address and I almost missed important deadlines.

If you worked in multiple states recently, make sure you understand which state you should file in. I worked in Oregon for 6 months before moving back to Washington and had to figure out the interstate claim process.

The benefit amount is based on your highest earning quarter in the base period, so make sure all your wage information is accurate. If Washington ESD doesn't have complete wage records, you might need to provide pay stubs or W-2s.

I got denied initially because of a mistake in how I described my separation. Had to file an appeal and it took 6 weeks to get it resolved. Be very careful with your wording when describing why you're no longer working.

The online system is actually pretty straightforward once you get started. Don't overthink it - just answer the questions honestly and completely. You can always provide additional information later if needed.

One last tip - if your claim gets complicated for any reason, don't panic. Washington ESD has processes for appeals and hearings if you disagree with their decisions. Most claims go through fine but it's good to know you have options if something goes wrong.

Just to wrap up - file as soon as possible, have your employment history ready, be accurate with your separation reason, and don't forget to file weekly claims once you're approved. You'll do fine!