How do I file for unemployment with Washington ESD - complete beginner here

You can file online through the Washington ESD website at esd.wa.gov. You'll need your social security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates of employment. Don't panic - the system walks you through each step.

First, take a deep breath - you're going to be okay! The official Washington ESD website is esd.wa.gov. You'll need to create an account through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) first. Have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment information ready - like your last employer's name, address, and dates you worked there. The process takes about 30-45 minutes to complete the initial application.

Make sure you file as soon as possible! There's a waiting week in Washington so the sooner you get your claim in, the sooner you can start receiving benefits. You'll also need to register with WorkSource WA for the job search requirements.

Make sure you file as soon as possible! There's a waiting week before benefits start, and you want to get that clock ticking. I waited two weeks after losing my job and regretted it.

Sorry to hear about your job loss. The good news is that filing for unemployment in Washington is actually pretty straightforward once you know the steps. You'll file online through the Washington ESD website at esd.wa.gov. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment information for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. The sooner you file, the better - benefits can start from the week you file your claim.

Just went through this process myself last month. Make sure you have all your employment info ready because they ask for a lot of details. Also, after you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to keep getting benefits. It's easy to forget but super important.

You can file online through the Washington ESD website. 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. Also have your bank account info ready if you want direct deposit.

The Washington ESD online application is pretty straightforward. Just go to esd.wa.gov and look for 'Apply for Benefits.' Make sure you apply as soon as possible because there's a waiting week before benefits start, and you can't get benefits for weeks before you file.

I filed mine last month and it was stuck in adjudication for weeks. Couldn't get through to anyone at Washington ESD no matter how many times I called. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me through to an actual person within minutes. Saved me so much frustration trying to reach them myself. There's even a video demo that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ

Been through this process multiple times unfortunately. Here's the step by step: 1) Go to esd.wa.gov 2) Click 'File an Initial Claim' 3) Create your SAW account if you don't have one 4) Complete the application - be honest about everything! 5) Wait for determination letter 6) If approved, file weekly claims every Sunday. Don't skip any weeks even if you don't get paid right away.

I just went through this process last month. One thing that helped me was using Claimyr to get through to a Washington ESD representative when I had questions. The phone lines are always busy but they have a callback service that actually works. Check out claimyr.com - there's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

OMG the Washington ESD system is so confusing!!! I filed three weeks ago and I'm still trying to figure out how to do my weekly claims. Why can't they make this stuff easier to understand?? And don't even get me started on trying to call them - it's literally impossible.

omg filing for unemployment is such a nightmare!! i tried to do mine online and the website kept crashing. then when i finally got through half the questions didnt make sense

Make sure you understand the job search requirements too. Washington ESD requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log. They can audit this stuff and if you don't have proper documentation, you could lose benefits.

Also be prepared for potential delays. My claim went into adjudication for almost a month because they needed to verify my employment history. Washington ESD is super backed up right now.

Here's what you need to know about the Washington ESD filing process: 1) File your initial claim online 2) Wait for your determination letter 3) File weekly claims every week 4) Meet job search requirements (3 job contacts per week). The hardest part is usually getting through to someone if you have questions. I used Claimyr.com recently when I couldn't reach anyone at Washington ESD - they have a service that calls for you and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

ugh the washington esd website is SO confusing when you first start. took me forever to figure out where to even begin the application

Quick tip - set up direct deposit when you file. Paper checks take forever and can get lost in the mail. Also sign up for text alerts so you know when your weekly claim is due.

One thing that really helped me when I was struggling to get through to Washington ESD by phone was using Claimyr. It's this service that helps you get connected to an actual agent without waiting on hold for hours. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. Really saved me a lot of frustration when I had questions about my claim.

Pro tip - make sure you have all your employer information accurate. If you mess up dates or company names, it can delay your claim. Also, if you worked for multiple employers in the last 18 months, you'll need info for all of them.

I hate how complicated Washington ESD makes everything. Like why do I need to provide 18 months of work history? I barely remember what I had for breakfast yesterday let alone every job detail from last year.

Whatever you do, don't lie about anything on your application. Washington ESD will find out and you'll have to pay back benefits plus penalties. I know someone who had to pay back $8,000 because they weren't honest about their separation reason.

ugh the washington esd website is SO confusing when you first look at it. took me like 3 tries to figure out where to actually start the application

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL YOUR EMPLOYMENT INFO ACCURATE. I made a mistake on one employer's address and it held up my claim for THREE WEEKS while they did adjudication. Washington ESD is super picky about details.

Here's the step-by-step process: 1) Go to esd.wa.gov and create a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account if you don't have one. 2) Click on 'File a New Unemployment Claim' 3) Fill out the application completely - this takes about 30-45 minutes. 4) Submit it and write down your confirmation number. 5) Wait for them to process it and send you information about filing weekly claims. You'll also need to register with WorkSource within 4 weeks of filing your claim.

The job search requirement is 3 contacts per week and you have to keep a log. Don't skip this - they do audit people randomly and if you can't prove your job search activities you'll have to pay back benefits.

Make sure you're honest about why you were laid off. If there were any performance issues or if you quit, that could affect your eligibility. Washington ESD will contact your employer to verify the information you provide.

I used Claimyr twice when I had issues with my claim. First time was when my benefits suddenly stopped and I couldn't figure out why. Second time was when I got an overpayment notice that didn't make sense. Both times they got me through to someone who could actually help instead of just reading from a script.

UPDATE: I started the application process and it's asking for my gross wages for each quarter. I'm having trouble figuring out the exact amounts. Can I estimate or do I need exact numbers?

The whole system is a joke. I filed 3 weeks ago and still haven't heard anything back. Meanwhile bills are piling up and I can't get anyone on the phone at Washington ESD. This is exactly when people need help the most and they make it impossible to reach them.

Don't stress too much about the application. The hardest part is usually waiting for them to process it. Some claims go through quickly, others get stuck in adjudication if they need to verify information with your employer. Just be patient and make sure to file your weekly claims once you're approved.

One more important thing - start looking for work right away and keep track of your job search activities. Washington requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week. You'll report these when you file your weekly claims.

also dont forget you have to register with worksourcewa.com for the job search stuff

Don't forget you might need to register with WorkSource too. It's Washington's job search assistance program and sometimes it's required for unemployment benefits.

The whole process is stressful but it gets easier once you understand the routine. File weekly claims every Sunday, keep track of your job searches, and don't ignore any letters from Washington ESD.

One more thing - if you have any issues or questions after filing, document everything. Keep screenshots of error messages, save emails, and write down phone call details. This stuff can be crucial if you need to appeal anything later.

If you run into problems reaching Washington ESD by phone, that Claimyr service mentioned earlier is legit. I was skeptical at first but after spending literally hours trying to get through their phone system, it was worth every penny to actually talk to a human.

also dont forget you have to file your weekly claim every single week even if you havent been approved yet or you could lose benefits

Quick question - do you get back pay for the weeks you're waiting for approval? Like if it takes 3 weeks to get approved, do you get paid for those 3 weeks?

The Washington ESD website has a pretty good FAQ section too. I found answers to most of my basic questions there before I had to call anyone.

I just went through this whole process last month. The key is being patient - Washington ESD is dealing with high volume and everything takes longer than you'd expect. Don't freak out if you don't hear back immediately after filing.

I remember when I first filed it seemed so complicated but it's really not that bad once you get started. The hardest part is just gathering all the information they ask for. Take your time and double check everything before submitting.

Pro tip: save all your confirmation numbers and print out everything. Washington ESD's system can be glitchy and you'll want proof of what you submitted and when.

If you run into any issues during the process or need to speak with someone at Washington ESD, I really recommend trying Claimyr. The phone lines are usually swamped and you can waste entire days trying to get through. Claimyr got me connected to an agent in under 20 minutes when I needed help with my claim status.

One thing that caught me off guard was having to report ANY income during your weekly claims, even if it's just $20 from a side gig. They're very strict about this and not reporting it can cause problems later.

I wish someone had told me about Claimyr earlier - I spent HOURS trying to call Washington ESD about my pending status. Their service actually got me connected to an agent who cleared up my issue in 10 minutes. Would have saved me so much stress.

One more tip - once you submit your application, you'll get emails from Washington ESD with important information. Make sure to check your email regularly and don't let them go to spam. Some of the messages have deadlines for responding.

Make sure you understand the difference between being laid off and being fired. If you were terminated for cause, your claim might get denied. But if it was a layoff due to lack of work, you should be fine.

Washington ESD will also send you a determination letter that explains your benefit amount and how long you can collect. Keep that letter safe - you'll need it if any issues come up later.

Just remember that the first week is always a waiting week with no payment. After that, if you're eligible and file your weekly claims on time, payments usually come within 2-3 business days.

Make sure your direct deposit info is correct when you set up your account. Nothing worse than having benefits delayed because of banking issues.

The whole process seems overwhelming at first but it really isn't that bad once you get started. Washington ESD has improved their online system a lot over the past few years.

One last thing - if you get stuck or need to talk to someone at Washington ESD, try calling right when they open at 8am. That's usually when you have the best chance of getting through without waiting forever.

Don't forget about the tax implications! Unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them later. I always recommend having them withheld so you don't get surprised at tax time.

been there done that. worst part is the weekly certification process - you have to answer the same questions every single week about whether you worked, whether you're able to work, etc. gets super repetitive but you cant skip it or you dont get paid

The good news is Washington's unemployment benefits are pretty decent compared to other states. The bad news is the system is old and clunky and getting help when something goes wrong is nearly impossible.

My advice is to take screenshots of everything as you go through the application process. If something goes wrong later, you'll have proof of what you submitted.

One last tip - if you have any questions while filling out the application, there's a help link next to most of the questions. It explains what they're looking for in more detail.

washington esd website is esd.wa.gov - make sure you dont accidentally go to some scam site that looks similar. there are fake unemployment sites out there trying to steal your info

Good luck with your claim! The first time is always the most nerve-wracking but it gets easier. Most people do get approved if they were legitimately laid off through no fault of their own.

oh and one more thing - keep all your paperwork organized from day one. you might need to reference it later if there are any issues with your claim. i keep everything in a folder on my computer and print copies too

The whole system is such a mess honestly. I filed 3 weeks ago and still haven't heard anything back. But definitely file as soon as you can because the waiting just gets worse.

Just remember that if you worked in other states in the past 18 months, you might need to file in one of those states instead of Washington. The system will tell you if you need to file somewhere else based on where you earned the most wages.

Make sure you understand the difference between being laid off and being fired for cause. If you were fired for misconduct, you might not be eligible for benefits. But layoffs due to budget cuts or lack of work are usually fine.

Once you get approved, remember that you can have taxes taken out of your unemployment payments or you can pay them later when you file your tax return. It's worth thinking about which option works better for your situation.

The job search requirements can be confusing at first but once you get the hang of it it's not too bad. You need to do 3 activities per week and keep a log of everything you do.

Just filed my claim last week and already got my first payment! The process was way easier than I expected. Just make sure you have all your employment info ready before you start.

watch out for scam emails pretending to be from washington esd asking for personal info. only use the official website

The hardest part for me was figuring out my base year wages. Make sure you understand which quarters they're asking about - it's not always the most recent ones.

Good luck with your claim! Most people who are legitimately laid off get approved without any issues. The system works, it's just slow sometimes.