How do I file my weekly unemployment claim with Washington ESD?

You file your weekly claim online through the Washington ESD website at esd.wa.gov. You'll need to log into your account and look for the 'Weekly Claims' section. You can file starting Sunday for the previous week and you have until the following Saturday to submit it. Don't wait until the last minute though!

Make sure you have your work search activities ready too. You need to show you're looking for work each week. Keep track of where you applied, when you applied, and what type of position it was.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your weekly claims, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach a live agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.

You'll need to log into your eServices account on the Washington ESD website every week. There should be a link for 'File Weekly Claim' on your homepage after you sign in. You can file starting Sunday for the previous week, and you have until the following Saturday to submit it.

The weekly claim filing is pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. You'll answer questions about any work you did, money you earned, and whether you were able and available for work. Make sure you report ALL earnings, even small amounts.

I had so much trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I first started filing weekly claims. Kept getting error messages and couldn't reach anyone by phone. Finally found this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual agent who walked me through the whole process. Check out their website at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

the weekly claim form is pretty straightforward once you do it a few times. it asks if you worked, how much you earned, if you were available for work, and about your job search. just answer everything honestly

ugh the Washington ESD system is so confusing!! I've been filing for 3 months and still sometimes panic that I'm doing something wrong. Why can't they make it more user friendly???

Here's the step-by-step process: 1) Log into eServices 2) Click 'File Weekly Claim' 3) Answer all questions honestly 4) Submit before the Saturday deadline 5) Keep confirmation number. You'll get paid within 2-3 business days if everything processes correctly.

I've been filing weekly claims for 6 months now. The key things to remember: file every week between Sunday-Saturday, report ALL income even if it's just $5, keep detailed job search records, and always answer that you're able and available for work unless you weren't for some reason.

Pro tip: file your weekly claim the same day every week so you don't forget. I do mine every Sunday morning with my coffee. Set a phone reminder if you have to.

The system is so glitchy sometimes! Last week I tried to file my claim and it kept timing out. Had to try like 5 times before it went through. Anyone else have this problem?

MAKE SURE YOU SAVE CONFIRMATION NUMBERS! I can't stress this enough. Every time you file a weekly claim, save that confirmation number somewhere safe. If there's ever a dispute about whether you filed or not, that's your proof.

Also remember that your weekly claim is for the week that just ended, not the current week. So if you're filing on Sunday, you're filing for the week that ended Saturday.

What happens if you miss filing a week? I forgot once and freaked out thinking I'd lose everything.

The job search requirements are part of the weekly claim too, right? You have to report your job search activities?

If you miss filing a weekly claim, you can still file it later but you might have to call Washington ESD to get it processed. Don't just skip it and hope they don't notice.

honestly the hardest part is remembering to do it every week. i set a reminder on my phone for sunday mornings. makes it part of my routine now

I wish they had a mobile app for filing weekly claims. Having to use the website on my phone is such a pain.

For anyone still having trouble reaching Washington ESD agents, I can't recommend Claimyr enough. They got me through to someone in about 10 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks on my own. Really helped me understand the weekly claim process.

One thing that caught me off guard - they ask about attending school or training. If you're taking any classes, even online ones, make sure you report that accurately. It can affect your benefits.

Pro tip: if you're having trouble with the Washington ESD website or phone system, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier really does work. I used it last month when I needed to talk to someone about a weekly claim issue and got through in like 20 minutes instead of spending all day calling.

Thanks everyone! This has been super helpful. I feel much more confident about filing my first weekly claim now. Going to set up a Sunday reminder and make sure I have all my job search info ready.

Question about the able and available requirement - what if you're sick one day during the week you're filing for?

Don't forget to keep copies of everything - weekly claim confirmations, job search logs, any correspondence from Washington ESD. You never know when you might need documentation.

The whole process is so stressful when you're already worried about money. Why does the government make everything so complicated?

I've been filing weekly claims for 6 months and just want to say it does get easier. The first few weeks are nerve-wracking but then it becomes routine.

Make sure your contact info is always up to date in your eServices account. I missed an important notice because I forgot to update my address after moving.

One more plug for Claimyr - they really helped me when I was confused about reporting part-time earnings on my weekly claim. Sometimes talking to an actual person makes all the difference instead of trying to figure it out from confusing website instructions.

Just a heads up - the eServices system sometimes goes down for maintenance on Sunday nights, so don't wait until the last minute to file your weekly claim.

This thread is gold! I wish I had found something like this when I first started filing. Would have saved me so much anxiety.

Final reminder - consistency is key with weekly claims. File every week, on time, with accurate information. It's the best way to avoid complications and keep your benefits flowing smoothly.

Don't forget about holidays! If there's a state holiday during your claim week, it might affect your availability for work question. Read the questions carefully each week.

I messed up my first few weekly claims because I didn't understand the difference between gross and net pay. Always report your GROSS earnings (before taxes) not what you actually took home.

Keep copies of everything related to your weekly claims. I scan all my job search documentation and save it in a folder on my computer. You never know when Washington ESD might audit your claims.

If you're working part-time while collecting unemployment, make sure you understand how your earnings will affect your weekly benefit amount. Washington ESD has a formula they use to calculate partial benefits.

Last thing - if you move to a different state while collecting Washington unemployment, you still need to file your weekly claims with Washington ESD. Don't assume you need to transfer to your new state's system.

The job search requirement is no joke. I got selected for a random audit and had to provide detailed documentation of every job search activity. Keep good records from day one!

Just want to echo what others said about Claimyr - I was skeptical at first but it really helped when I needed to reach Washington ESD about a weekly claim processing delay. Much better than sitting on hold for hours.