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

You can file online at esd.wa.gov - that's the main Washington ESD website. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment information for the last 18 months. The process is pretty straightforward but make sure you have all your info ready before you start.

Make sure you file as soon as possible after losing your job. There's a waiting week so you won't get paid for the first week anyway, but you want to get the process started. Also be prepared - the Washington ESD phone lines are absolutely swamped right now.

I had to file last year and honestly the hardest part was getting through to someone at Washington ESD when I had questions. The online system is pretty good but if you need to talk to a human being, good luck. I probably called 200+ times over several weeks.

Actually, I just discovered something that might help with the calling issue. There's a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps people get through to Washington ESD agents. I was skeptical at first but I tried it last month and it actually worked. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID - when you file your initial claim, double check all your employer information. I accidentally put the wrong start date for one job and it delayed my whole claim by 3 weeks while they sorted it out.

Also heads up - once you file you'll need to file weekly claims every week to keep getting benefits. It's not automatic. You have to log in every week and certify that you're still unemployed and looking for work.

One more thing - make sure you understand the job search requirements. You'll need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of what you did. Washington ESD is pretty strict about this.

I'm going through this right now too. Filed 2 weeks ago and still waiting to hear back. The status just says 'pending' which is nerve-wracking.

Quick tip - if you need to upload documents, make sure they're clear and readable. I had to resubmit my ID three times because the photos were too blurry.

been there, done that. worst part is when your claim goes into adjudication and you have no idea why. happened to me and took forever to get answers.

That's exactly when that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier becomes really helpful. When your claim gets stuck in adjudication, you really need to talk to someone to find out what's going on and what documents they need.

Another thing to keep in mind - your benefit amount is based on your wages from the base period, which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters. So if you file in January 2025, they'll look at your wages from October 2023 through September 2024.

Just file online and don't overthink it. The system will walk you through everything step by step. Took me maybe 30 minutes to complete the whole application.

Make sure you have a good internet connection when you file. Nothing worse than losing your progress halfway through because your connection dropped.

Also be prepared for the fact that Washington ESD customer service is pretty overwhelmed. I've been trying to get through for weeks about an issue with my claim.

One last piece of advice - keep copies of everything. Screenshot your application, save confirmation numbers, print out any documents you upload. You never know when you might need them later.

honestly the whole process is kind of a pain but once you get through the initial filing it gets easier. just stay on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements.

Good luck! Remember that unemployment benefits are there to help people who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Don't feel bad about using the system - you probably paid into it when you were working.

The Washington ESD website also has a lot of good FAQs if you want to read up on things before you file. Might help you feel more prepared.

Just remember - thousands of people file for unemployment every week and get through the process just fine. You've got this!