How do I get a unemployment number from Washington ESD?
I'm trying to file for unemployment benefits but I'm confused about what number I need. Do I need some kind of special unemployment ID number before I can start my claim? I went to the Washington ESD website but it's not clear what I'm supposed to do first. I've never filed for unemployment before so I have no idea what numbers they're talking about. Can someone explain what unemployment number I need and how to get it?
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Ava Harris
You don't need to get a number before filing. When you file your initial claim on the Washington ESD website, they'll assign you a claim number automatically. Just go to esd.wa.gov and click 'Apply for Benefits' to start your claim.
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Chloe Delgado
•Oh okay, so I don't need anything beforehand? I can just go straight to filing?
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Ava Harris
•Exactly! The system will create your claim number when you submit your application.
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Jacob Lee
Make sure you have your Social Security card and driver's license ready when you file. You'll also need employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked.
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Chloe Delgado
•Good to know, I'll gather all that info first. Should I have pay stubs too?
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Jacob Lee
•Pay stubs help if you have them but they're not required. The main thing is having accurate employment dates and wage information.
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Emily Thompson
I had trouble getting through the Washington ESD phone lines when I was trying to figure this out too. If you run into issues after filing and need to talk to someone, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual ESD agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
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Sophie Hernandez
•Is that legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my claim status.
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Emily Thompson
•Yeah it worked for me. I was spending hours trying to get through and this got me connected in like 20 minutes.
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Chloe Delgado
•I'll keep that in mind if I have issues after filing. Thanks!
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Daniela Rossi
The Washington ESD system will ask for your SSN during the application process and that becomes your main identifier along with the claim number they assign. Don't worry about getting any special numbers beforehand.
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Chloe Delgado
•Perfect, that makes sense. I was overthinking it.
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Ryan Kim
ugh the whole unemployment system is so confusing why can't they just make it simple
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Ava Harris
•I agree it's not the most user-friendly, but once you get started it's not too bad.
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Ryan Kim
•i guess but why do they make it so hard to figure out what you need
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Jacob Lee
One thing to note - after you file your initial claim, you'll get a confirmation number. Write that down! You'll need it if you have to call Washington ESD about your claim later.
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Chloe Delgado
•Good tip, I'll make sure to save that confirmation number.
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Zoe Walker
•Yes definitely save it! I didn't and had to go through extra verification when I called.
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Elijah Brown
Just to be clear, are we talking about the claim number or the customer ID? I've seen both mentioned on the Washington ESD site.
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Ava Harris
•The claim number is what gets assigned when you file for benefits. The customer ID is for your SecureAccess Washington account, which you'll also create during the process.
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Elijah Brown
•Ah okay, so there are actually two different numbers involved.
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Chloe Delgado
•Wait, so I'll get both a claim number and a customer ID?
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Ava Harris
•Yes, but the system handles all of that automatically when you file. You don't need to worry about getting either one separately.
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Maria Gonzalez
I remember being confused about this too when I first filed. The website could definitely be clearer about what you need to get started.
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Chloe Delgado
•Yeah it's not very intuitive. I'm glad I asked here first.
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Emily Thompson
Another thing about Claimyr - if you end up needing to check on your claim status or resolve any issues, it's way easier than sitting on hold for hours. I was really frustrated with the busy signals and getting disconnected.
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Natalie Chen
•How much does something like that cost though?
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Emily Thompson
•It's worth it when you consider how much time you save. Check out their website for details.
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Santiago Martinez
The most important thing is just getting started with your claim. Don't let the confusion about numbers hold you back - the system will guide you through everything you need.
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Chloe Delgado
•You're right, I'll just go ahead and start the application process.
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Samantha Johnson
Make sure you file as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. There's a waiting week but it's better to get the process started right away.
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Chloe Delgado
•Good point, I'll file today. Thanks everyone for the help!
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Jacob Lee
•Good luck! The hardest part is just getting started.
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Nick Kravitz
I had to use Claimyr too when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Really helped me get answers about what was happening with my case.
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Sophie Hernandez
•Did they help you understand what adjudication meant? I keep seeing that word but I'm not sure what it involves.
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Nick Kravitz
•Yeah they connected me with someone who explained my situation. Adjudication is when they review your claim for any potential issues.
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Hannah White
One more tip - keep track of all your job search activities from day one. Washington ESD requires you to search for work and you'll need to report it on your weekly claims.
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Chloe Delgado
•Oh I didn't know about the job search requirement. How many jobs do I need to apply for?
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Hannah White
•You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week. Keep detailed records of where you applied and when.
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Michael Green
The Washington ESD website has a good FAQ section that explains all the different numbers and IDs involved in the process. Might be worth checking out after you file.
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Chloe Delgado
•I'll definitely look at that once I get my claim started.
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Mateo Silva
dont worry about it too much just file and they'll tell you what you need to know
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Chloe Delgado
•Thanks, I think I was definitely overthinking it.
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Victoria Jones
Remember you'll also need to create a WorkSourceWA account for the job search requirements. But again, you can do this after filing your initial claim.
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Chloe Delgado
•Okay so that's another account I'll need to set up. Got it.
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Hannah White
•Yes, WorkSourceWA is where you'll track your job search activities.
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Cameron Black
I wish I had known about services like Claimyr when I was dealing with my claim issues. Would have saved me so much stress trying to get through to Washington ESD.
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Emily Thompson
•Yeah, it's a game changer when you actually need to talk to someone there.
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Jessica Nguyen
Bottom line - you don't need any special unemployment number before filing. Just go to the Washington ESD website and start your application. The system will take care of assigning you all the numbers you need.
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Chloe Delgado
•Perfect summary. I'm going to start my application right now. Thanks everyone!
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Camila Castillo
I went through this same confusion last year! The Washington ESD system definitely isn't the most intuitive. Just to add to what others have said - when you file your initial claim online, make sure you have about 30-45 minutes to complete the whole application in one sitting. The system can time out if you take too long, and you might have to start over. Also, double-check all your employment dates and employer information before submitting because it's harder to correct mistakes later. Good luck with your claim!
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Jay Lincoln
•That's really helpful advice about setting aside enough time! I didn't realize the system could time out. I'll make sure to gather all my employment info first and then sit down to complete the whole application without interruptions. Thanks for the tip about double-checking everything before submitting too - I definitely don't want to deal with trying to fix mistakes later.
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Amara Adebayo
•Great point about the timeout issue! I actually ran into that problem when I first tried to file. Had to restart the whole application because I got distracted halfway through. One thing I'd add is to have your bank account information ready too if you want direct deposit for your benefits - it's much faster than waiting for a debit card to arrive in the mail. Also, write down your confirmation number immediately after you submit because the confirmation page sometimes doesn't load properly and you might not get the email right away.
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Melody Miles
•This is exactly the kind of detailed advice I wish was on the Washington ESD website itself! The timeout issue would have definitely caught me off guard. I'm definitely going to set up direct deposit from the start - waiting for a debit card sounds like it would just add more delays to an already slow process. Thanks for mentioning the confirmation page loading issues too. I'll screenshot that confirmation number just to be safe!
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Diego Flores
•All of this is such great advice! I had no idea about the timeout issue or the confirmation page problems. I'm going to make a checklist of everything I need before I start: employment history for 18 months, SSN, driver's license, bank account info for direct deposit, and I'll clear my schedule for at least an hour to be safe. It's really helpful to know these practical details that aren't mentioned on the official website. Has anyone had issues with the direct deposit setup, or does that usually work smoothly once you provide your bank info?
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