How do I get unemployment benefits through Washington ESD - complete beginner here

First thing - go to esd.wa.gov and click on 'Apply for Benefits.' You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, dates worked, and gross wages. The sooner you apply the better because there's a waiting period.

The online application takes about 30-45 minutes if you have all your info ready. Make sure you're 'able and available' to work - that's a requirement. You'll also need to register with WorkSource Washington for job search requirements.

Just went through this process myself. After you apply, you'll get a determination letter in about 2-3 weeks if everything goes smoothly. But if there are any issues with your claim, it could go into adjudication which takes much longer. I had trouble reaching anyone at Washington ESD when I had questions - their phone lines are always busy. I ended up using Claimyr.com to get through to an actual agent. They have this system that calls for you and connects you when someone picks up. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Don't forget you have to file weekly claims every week to actually get paid! The application is just the first step. Every Sunday you need to log in and answer questions about your job search activities and any work you did that week.

ugh the whole system is so confusing. i applied 3 weeks ago and still haven't heard anything back. every time i try to call i get a busy signal or get disconnected after waiting forever

Make sure you have EVERYTHING ready before you start the application. I made the mistake of starting it without all my employer info and had to start over. You need exact dates, addresses, reason for separation, supervisor names if possible. The application times out if you take too long.

Been on unemployment twice in the past 5 years unfortunately. Here's what I wish someone told me the first time: Apply IMMEDIATELY after your last day of work, not when you feel like looking for the paperwork. The waiting week starts from when you apply, not when you lost your job. Also keep detailed records of every job you apply to because they audit job search requirements.

One thing that tripped me up - make sure your reason for job separation is accurate. If you put 'laid off' but your employer reports it as 'quit' or 'fired for cause,' your claim will get delayed for adjudication. Be honest about what happened.

The Washington ESD website is actually pretty good once you get used to it. The hardest part is just getting started. After your first weekly claim it becomes routine. Just remember you need to certify that you're looking for work each week.

Just remember that unemployment is temporary assistance, not a permanent solution. The weekly benefit amount is based on your previous wages but it's usually only about 60% of what you were making. Budget accordingly and keep looking for work aggressively.

Pro tip: if you run into problems with your claim, document everything. Save screenshots, print important pages, keep notes of phone calls. The Washington ESD system can be glitchy and having records helps if you need to appeal anything later.

Update on the Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier - I used it again last week when I had questions about my benefit year ending. Got connected to a Washington ESD agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending half my day trying to get through. Definitely worth having as an option when you actually need to speak to someone.

Make sure you understand the work search requirements before you start filing weekly claims. You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and they have to be 'suitable work' - meaning similar to your previous job or training. Fast food doesn't count if you were an office manager.

The most important thing is to apply as soon as possible. Every day you wait is money you're potentially leaving on the table. The process seems overwhelming but it's really not that bad once you get started. Thousands of people do this every week.

One last tip - if your claim goes into adjudication (which means they need to investigate something), don't panic. It's frustrating but common. Just respond to any requests for information quickly and completely. The adjudication process can take 4-6 weeks but you'll get backpay if approved.

The waiting period is usually one week, so even if everything goes perfectly you won't get paid for your first week of unemployment. Plan for that gap. After that, if you're filing your weekly claims on time, payments usually come within 2-3 business days.

Don't forget about the tax implications. Unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or handle it when you file your tax return next year. Most people prefer to have it withheld.

Also wanted to mention that Claimyr service someone brought up earlier - I tried it when my payments suddenly stopped and I couldn't figure out why. Turned out there was an issue with my job search log that I never would have known about if I hadn't been able to speak to someone. Sometimes these systems have problems that only a human can fix.