How do I fill out Washington ESD unemployment application - confused about requirements

Thanks! Do I need exact dates or can I approximate? I worked at a few places over the last year and can't remember the exact start/end dates.

Get as close as possible on the dates. Washington ESD will verify with your employers anyway, but being accurate helps avoid delays in processing your claim.

What kind of errors did you run into? I want to avoid those if possible.

mostly dates that didn't line up right and forgetting to include a temp job i had for like 2 weeks

Is that legit? Seems weird to pay someone to make phone calls for you when it's supposed to be free to call Washington ESD directly.

It's not about paying for the call itself, it's about actually getting through to someone. I was calling for weeks and never got past the busy signal. Sometimes you need help navigating the system.

I'll keep that in mind if I can't get through to ask questions about my application. Right now I just want to get it submitted correctly the first time.

Good point about the confirmation number. How long after submitting does it usually take to hear back?

Usually 2-3 weeks to get your first determination letter, but it can take longer if they need to verify your employment or if there are any issues with your application.

Oh no, that's exactly what I'm worried about. Did you lose all your information when it timed out?

yeah had to start over twice. now i copy everything into a word doc first so i can paste it back in if it crashes

What are the work search requirements? Do I need to apply to a certain number of jobs each week?

Yes, you'll need to make at least 3 job search activities per week once you start filing weekly claims. This includes applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking activities, etc. Keep detailed records of everything.

Wait, I thought it was 2 activities per week? The requirements keep changing and it's hard to keep track.

Even like freelance work or odd jobs? I did some Uber driving earlier this year but it wasn't much money.

Yes, report everything. Even if it was just a few hundred dollars, it's better to be honest upfront than deal with an overpayment notice later.

You should have your DD-214 available if you have military service, even if it was years ago. It can sometimes affect your benefit calculation.

ugh i have no idea where mine is. gonna have to dig through boxes in the garage

What kind of information did you have to correct? I want to make sure I don't make the same mistakes.

I put the wrong reason for leaving one of my previous jobs and mixed up some of the employment dates. Small stuff but it caused them to flag my claim for review.

How does it actually work? Do they just keep calling until they get through for you?

Pretty much, yeah. They handle the calling and waiting, then connect you when they reach an agent. The video demo explains it better than I can.

I lost my job last Friday, so I should be okay. Planning to submit my application tonight or tomorrow morning.

good timing. the sooner the better

How do the weekly claims work? Is it another long form like the initial application?

No, weekly claims are much shorter. Just questions about whether you worked, looked for work, were available for work, etc. Takes like 5 minutes once you get used to it.

unless you mess up the work search log like i did and have to call to fix it 🙄

What's that section about? I haven't gotten to that part yet.

It's asking about your highest earning quarter in the base period. Most people don't know their exact quarterly wages off the top of their head.

You can estimate that part. Washington ESD will get your actual wage information from your employers during the verification process.

Oh good, I didn't realize I could save it as a draft. That takes some pressure off.

yeah just make sure you don't wait too long to submit it. drafts expire after a certain number of days

How far back do they ask about employment history?

18 months from when you file your claim. So if you've had multiple jobs in the last year and a half, you'll need details for all of them.

That's encouraging! Was your situation pretty straightforward or did you have complications?

pretty straightforward layoff, had all my paperwork ready. think that helped speed things up

Thanks for the tip. I've been trying to call for days with no luck.

That's exactly why I started using it. The phone system is just overwhelmed and it's nearly impossible to get through on your own.

Good luck! Feel free to come back if you run into any issues during the process.

you got this! the hardest part is just getting started

Smart idea. I'll definitely do that along with copying everything to a document like someone else suggested.

exactly. redundancy is your friend when dealing with government websites

I hope so! Just want to make sure I don't mess anything up that could delay my benefits.

as long as you're honest and thorough, you should be fine. washington esd is pretty good about working with people if there are minor issues