How do I file unemployment - Washington ESD process confusing me

First thing - don't panic! Filing with Washington ESD isn't as complicated as it looks. You'll need to create an account on their website at esd.wa.gov and then file your initial application. Have your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months ready. The system will ask for your last employer's information, dates of employment, and reason for separation.

The Washington ESD online system can be tricky at first. Make sure you have all your employer information exact - company name, address, supervisor name, dates worked, and your gross wages. If you worked for multiple employers in the last 18 months, you'll need info for all of them. The system is pretty picky about accuracy.

honestly the phone system is impossible to get through to if you need help. I spent literally 3 hours on hold last week just to get disconnected. If you run into problems with your application or need to talk to someone, there's this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

After you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to get paid. This is super important - even if your claim is still being processed, you need to keep filing weekly. The weekly claim asks about any work you did, any job offers you received, and confirms you're able and available for work.

Make sure you answer all the questions honestly on your application. If there's anything complicated about why you left your job (like if you quit or were fired), be prepared for your claim to go into adjudication. That means they'll investigate before approving benefits.

ugh the whole system is such a nightmare. took me 6 weeks to get my first payment because they kept asking for more documents. make sure you upload everything they ask for immediately or you'll be waiting forever

One more tip - set up direct deposit when you file. Paper checks take forever to arrive and can get lost in the mail. The direct deposit info is in the same section where you provide your bank account details.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Washington ESD has a one-week waiting period before benefits start, so your first payable week is actually your second week of unemployment.

Also be aware that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or you'll owe when you file your tax return next year. There's an option to select tax withholding in your account settings.

If you do run into issues with your claim or need to speak with someone at Washington ESD, seriously consider using Claimyr. I wish I had known about it sooner instead of wasting so much time trying to call myself. The regular phone system is just broken.

Quick question - do I need to register with WorkSource Washington too? I keep seeing references to that in the Washington ESD materials.

been on unemployment twice and the key is just staying on top of everything. file weekly, respond to any requests immediately, keep detailed records of your job search. washington esd is slow but they'll get you sorted eventually

Make sure you understand the difference between being laid off versus fired for cause. If you were laid off due to lack of work, your claim should be straightforward. If there were performance issues or misconduct involved, expect more scrutiny from Washington ESD.

Another thing to watch out for - if you have any vacation pay or severance coming from your employer, that might affect when your benefits start. Washington ESD considers that income during the weeks it covers.

Pro tip: download the Washington ESD mobile app if you have a smartphone. Makes filing weekly claims way easier than logging into the website every time. You can also check your claim status and payment history through the app.

If you're confused about any part of the process, don't guess - get clarification. Wrong information can delay your claim or cause overpayment issues later. When in doubt, it's worth the effort to reach someone at Washington ESD for guidance.

Last piece of advice - keep copies of everything. Screenshot your weekly claim submissions, save emails from Washington ESD, keep your job search log updated. If there are ever questions about your claim, having documentation will save you a lot of headaches.

You've got this! The first application is always the most overwhelming but once you get into the routine of weekly claims it becomes pretty automatic. Focus on getting that initial claim filed correctly and everything else will follow.