How do I register for unemployment in Washington - complete beginner needs help

First thing you need to do is go to the Washington ESD website and create an account. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and employment information for the last 18 months. The process is pretty straightforward once you get started.

The website is esd.wa.gov and you'll want to look for the 'Apply for Benefits' section. Make sure you have your employer information ready including dates of employment and reason for separation.

I went through this process last year and it was actually easier than I expected. The online application walks you through everything step by step. Just make sure you answer all the questions accurately about why you're unemployed.

One thing nobody mentions is that you might have trouble getting through to Washington ESD if you need help. I spent hours on hold trying to get answers. If you run into issues, there's actually a service called Claimyr that helps people get through to ESD agents faster. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

DON'T WAIT TO APPLY! I made the mistake of waiting a week thinking I might get called back to work and it just delayed everything. Apply immediately even if you think you might get your job back.

Make sure you have your bank account information ready if you want direct deposit. It's way faster than waiting for a check in the mail.

also make sure you save all your paperwork from your employer about the layoff. they might ask for it later during the process

One more thing - once you apply, you'll need to file weekly claims to keep getting benefits. Don't forget to do this every week or you'll miss payments. The system will remind you but it's your responsibility to stay on top of it.

The whole system is a mess tbh. I filed in January and still had issues with my claim getting held up in adjudication for weeks. But you gotta do what you gotta do.

Quick tip: if you're having trouble with the website, try different browsers or clear your cache. The ESD site can be glitchy sometimes.

When I registered last year, the hardest part was remembering all my previous employers. Make sure you have a list ready with addresses and phone numbers going back 18 months.

I remember being confused about the waiting week thing. Just to clarify for others reading this - there's no waiting week anymore in Washington. You can get benefits for your first week of unemployment if you're eligible.

One thing that helped me was watching some YouTube videos about the Washington ESD application process before I started. There are some good walkthroughs that show you exactly what screens you'll see.

Just finished helping my sister apply last month. The whole process took about 30 minutes online. Not as bad as we thought it would be.

If you run into any problems or have questions after you apply, don't be afraid to call. I know everyone complains about the phone lines but I actually got through after about 45 minutes and the person was really helpful.

Make sure you keep your confirmation number from when you submit your application. You'll need it if you have to call about your claim.

The job search requirements can be confusing at first but they're not too bad once you get used to them. You basically need to apply for jobs, attend job fairs, or do other approved activities.

Good luck with your application! The process isn't as scary as it seems. Just take it one step at a time and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

One last thing - make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week. I think you have until Saturday night each week but don't wait until the last minute in case the website is down.