How do I file a weekly claim for unemployment with Washington ESD?
I just got approved for unemployment benefits last week and I'm trying to figure out how to file my weekly claims. The Washington ESD website is confusing and I can't find clear instructions on where to go or what information I need. Do I need to file every week even if I didn't work? What happens if I miss filing one week? I'm worried about messing something up and losing my benefits.
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Luca Romano
You file weekly claims through your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account at esd.wa.gov. Log in and look for 'Weekly Claim' or 'File Weekly Claim' option. You must file every week to continue receiving benefits, even if you didn't work or earn any money that week.
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Zara Rashid
•Thanks! Do I need to report if I applied for jobs that week too?
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Luca Romano
•Yes, you need to keep track of your job search activities. Washington ESD requires at least 3 job search activities per week, and you might need to provide details if they audit your claim.
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Nia Jackson
Make sure you file by Sunday night each week! The system usually opens Sunday morning for the previous week. So if you're filing for the week ending Saturday, you can file starting that Sunday.
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Zara Rashid
•What time does it usually open on Sunday? I want to make sure I don't miss it.
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Nia Jackson
•I usually file around 6 AM Sunday morning and it's always been available by then. Don't wait until the last minute though!
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Mateo Hernandez
If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about filing, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.
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CosmicCruiser
•How much does that cost? I'm already struggling financially.
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Mateo Hernandez
•It's worth checking out their site for pricing info. For me it was worth it to actually talk to someone instead of getting hung up on after waiting 2 hours.
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Zara Rashid
•I might try that if I can't figure this out on my own. The phone lines are impossible.
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Aisha Khan
The weekly claim questions are pretty straightforward once you do it a few times. They ask if you worked, how much you earned, if you were able and available for work, and if you looked for work. Answer honestly - they can verify everything later.
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Ethan Taylor
•What if I worked just one day and made like $50? Do I still report that?
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Aisha Khan
•YES absolutely report all earnings! Even if it's just $10. Not reporting earnings is considered fraud and they will find out eventually.
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Yuki Ito
ugh the washington esd website is such garbage... half the time it doesn't even load properly and then it kicks you out while you're trying to file
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Luca Romano
•Try using a different browser or clearing your cache. Chrome seems to work better than others with the ESD site.
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Yuki Ito
•i've tried everything... this system is so outdated it's ridiculous
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Carmen Lopez
Important tip: if you miss filing a weekly claim, you have to call Washington ESD to restart your claim. You can't just pick up where you left off online. I learned this the hard way when I forgot to file one week and my payments stopped.
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Zara Rashid
•Oh no, that's exactly what I was worried about! How long did it take to get it restarted?
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Carmen Lopez
•It took me about 2 weeks to get through to someone and get it fixed. That's when I started using Claimyr to actually reach an agent - saved me so much time and frustration.
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Andre Dupont
For the job search requirement, make sure you're documenting everything properly. Keep records of where you applied, when, and what type of position. They can audit you at any time and ask for proof.
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QuantumQuasar
•Do networking events count as job search activities?
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Andre Dupont
•Yes, attending job fairs, networking events, and even informational interviews can count. Just make sure you document who you talked to and when.
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Zoe Papanikolaou
I've been filing weekly claims for 8 months now and it becomes routine. The key things: file every week, report all earnings accurately, keep job search records, and answer the able/available questions honestly. Don't overthink it.
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Zara Rashid
•Thanks, that makes me feel better. I guess I'm just nervous about doing something wrong.
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Zoe Papanikolaou
•Totally understandable! The first few times are nerve-wracking but you'll get the hang of it quickly.
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Jamal Wilson
One thing they don't make clear is that you can file your weekly claim online 24/7 once it opens on Sunday. You don't have to call unless there's a problem with your claim.
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Mei Lin
•Wait, so I don't need to call every week to file?
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Jamal Wilson
•Nope! Only call if you have issues or questions. The online filing is much easier and faster.
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Liam Fitzgerald
Make sure your contact information is updated in your account. If Washington ESD needs to reach you about your claim, they'll use whatever info is on file. I missed an important letter because my address wasn't current.
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Zara Rashid
•Good point, I should double-check that. Where do I update my info in the system?
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Liam Fitzgerald
•In your SAW account, look for 'Update Profile' or 'Personal Info' - you can change your address, phone, and email there.
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Amara Nnamani
The 'able and available' questions trip people up sometimes. You need to be physically able to work and available for full-time work during normal business hours. If you have restrictions, make sure to report them.
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Giovanni Mancini
•What if I can only work part-time because of childcare issues?
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Amara Nnamani
•You still might qualify for benefits, but you need to be honest about your availability restrictions. Washington ESD will determine if you meet the requirements.
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NebulaNinja
Does anyone know if volunteer work affects your weekly claim? I want to volunteer at a food bank but don't want it to mess up my benefits.
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Luca Romano
•Volunteer work generally doesn't affect your claim as long as you're not receiving any compensation. Just make sure it doesn't interfere with your job search requirements.
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NebulaNinja
•Thanks! I figured it would be okay but wanted to double-check.
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
Pro tip: file your weekly claim early in the week if possible. If there are any issues or questions, you have more time to resolve them before the next filing period.
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Zara Rashid
•That's smart! I was planning to wait until Saturday but filing Sunday makes more sense.
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Dylan Mitchell
I had my claim go into adjudication after filing weekly claims for a month because I didn't report some freelance work properly. Be super careful about reporting ALL income, even irregular payments.
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Sofia Morales
•How long did adjudication take to resolve?
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Dylan Mitchell
•Almost 6 weeks! And I couldn't get anyone on the phone to explain what was happening. Finally used Claimyr to reach an adjudicator who walked me through the whole process.
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Dmitry Popov
Quick question - if I start a new job mid-week, do I report those earnings on the weekly claim for that week or the following week?
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Luca Romano
•Report earnings for the week you actually worked and earned the money, regardless of when you get paid. So if you worked Wednesday-Friday, report it for that week.
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Dmitry Popov
•Got it, thanks! I didn't want to report it wrong and cause problems.
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Ava Garcia
The system will automatically calculate your benefit amount based on what you report for earnings. If you work part-time, you might still get partial benefits depending on how much you earn.
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Zara Rashid
•That's good to know! I was worried that any work would completely stop my benefits.
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Ava Garcia
•Nope, Washington has a partial benefit system. You can earn up to a certain amount and still receive some unemployment benefits.
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StarSailor}
Make sure you understand the difference between gross and net earnings when reporting. Washington ESD wants your gross earnings (before taxes and deductions), not your take-home pay.
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Miguel Silva
•I've been reporting my net pay this whole time! Am I in trouble?
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StarSailor}
•You should contact Washington ESD to correct this. It's better to fix it now than have them discover the discrepancy later during an audit.
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Zainab Ismail
The mobile website works pretty well for filing weekly claims if you prefer using your phone. Sometimes it's actually faster than the desktop version.
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Zara Rashid
•Good to know! I'm on my phone most of the time anyway.
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Connor O'Neill
Remember that filing a weekly claim is basically certifying under penalty of perjury that all your answers are true. Take it seriously and be accurate with everything you report.
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Zara Rashid
•Thanks everyone for all the help! I feel much more confident about filing my first weekly claim now.
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Luca Romano
•You're welcome! Don't hesitate to ask if you run into any issues. The first few times are always the hardest.
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Yuki Nakamura
One more helpful tip - set a weekly reminder on your phone or calendar to file your claim! I use Sunday at 7 AM so I never forget. Missing even one week can really complicate things, and it's so easy to lose track of time when you're dealing with unemployment stress. The consistency helps make it feel less overwhelming too.
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Avery Flores
•That's such a great idea! I was just thinking about how I might forget to file since I'm not used to this routine yet. Setting up a recurring reminder sounds perfect - I'll probably do mine for Sunday morning too so I can get it done early in the week like others suggested. Thanks for the tip!
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