How do I file for unemployment in Washington state - complete beginner needs help

You'll want to file as soon as possible because there's a waiting week before benefits start. Go to secure.esd.wa.gov and create an account. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and information about your last employer including their business name and address. The Washington ESD website will walk you through the application step by step.

Don't wait! File today if you can. I made the mistake of waiting a week thinking I needed to 'get my ducks in a row' first and I basically lost that week of benefits. The Washington ESD system is pretty straightforward once you get started.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about my claim and it's impossible. Their phone lines are always busy and when you do get through they hang up on you. If you need to talk to someone about your application, good luck. I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually helped me get through to an agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Make sure you have your bank account info ready too for direct deposit. And gather up your pay stubs from the last 18 months if you have them - Washington ESD might ask for them later.

ugh the whole system is such a mess. took me 6 weeks to get my first payment and they never explained why. just keep filing your weekly claims even if nothing seems to be happening

One thing that caught me off guard - you have to actively look for work and keep a log of your job search activities. Washington ESD requires you to make at least 3 job contacts per week and they can audit your job search log at any time.

Standby means your employer expects to call you back to work within a specific timeframe. If you're on standby, you might not have to do the job search requirement, but you need to make sure Washington ESD knows about your standby status.

Just a heads up - after you file, your claim might go into something called adjudication. That's when they review your case to make sure you qualify. It can take a few weeks and there's not much you can do except wait.

Don't forget to register with WorkSourceWA too! It's required and they integrate with the Washington ESD system. You can do it online at worksourcewa.com.

I'm going through this right now too and it's overwhelming! I filed last week and I'm still waiting to hear back. The hardest part is not knowing if you did something wrong.

If you do run into issues and need to talk to someone at Washington ESD, seriously consider using Claimyr. I wasted so many hours trying to get through on my own. Their system got me connected to an actual person who could help with my adjudication issue.

MAKE SURE YOU KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING!!! Save screenshots of your application, print out confirmation pages, write down confirmation numbers. I learned this the hard way when my claim got messed up and I had no proof of what I had submitted.

One more thing - if you worked in multiple states in the past 18 months, your claim might be more complicated. Washington ESD will help you figure out which state you should file in.

The waiting is the worst part honestly. Even when everything goes smoothly it takes time. Try not to stress too much about it.

Pro tip: file your weekly claims on Sunday nights or Monday mornings. The system is less busy then and you're less likely to have technical issues.

Just remember that your first week is a waiting week - you won't get paid for it even if you're approved. It's just how the system works in Washington.

Good luck! The system isn't perfect but it does work eventually. Just be patient and keep on top of your weekly filings.

If you get stuck on any part of the application, the Washington ESD website has pretty good help sections. Don't guess on questions - it's better to look up the right answer.

Last thing - if you end up needing to appeal anything or have complex issues, don't be afraid to get help. The system can be confusing and there's no shame in asking for assistance whether it's from Washington ESD directly or services like Claimyr that help you get through to them.