How do I sign up for unemployment in Washington state - need help starting my claim

You'll want to go to esd.wa.gov and look for the 'Apply for Benefits' section. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license info, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. Also make sure you have your bank account info if you want direct deposit.

The application itself isn't too bad but make sure you have all your employer information accurate. They're going to verify everything with your past employers so any mistakes will slow down your claim processing.

Just went through this process myself a few months ago. If you run into issues reaching Washington ESD by phone for questions (and you probably will), I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that explains how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Make sure you understand the difference between filing your initial claim and filing weekly claims. After you file your initial application, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to actually receive payments. Don't skip weeks even if you haven't heard back about your initial claim approval yet.

ugh the whole system is such a nightmare, took me forever to get approved and then they kept asking for more documentation

One more important thing - make sure you meet the eligibility requirements before filing. You need to have worked enough hours in your base period and lost your job through no fault of your own. If you quit or were fired for misconduct, you might not qualify.

Don't forget about the job search requirements! Once your claim is approved you'll need to make a certain number of job search contacts each week and keep a log. The requirements vary but it's usually 3 contacts per week.

The website can be pretty glitchy sometimes. If you get error messages just try again later or try a different browser. I had to switch from Chrome to Firefox to get mine to work.

Another tip - if your claim goes into adjudication (which means they need to review something), don't panic. It's pretty common and just means they need more time to process. But if you need to talk to someone about it, that's when services like Claimyr really come in handy since the regular phone lines are basically impossible.

Make sure you set up your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account if you don't already have one. That's how you'll access everything online.

Pro tip: take screenshots of everything as you go through the application process. If there are any issues later, you'll have proof of what you submitted and when.

honestly just prepare yourself for a lot of waiting and frustration. the system is overwhelmed and understaffed. but you gotta do what you gotta do

Don't forget to report any severance pay or vacation pay you received when you file. That can affect your benefit amount and timing, but it's better to report it upfront than have issues later.

Once you get your claim approved, you'll get a determination letter that explains your weekly benefit amount and how long you can collect. Keep that letter somewhere safe - you'll need to reference it.

If you have any issues during the application, definitely try that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. I used it when my identity verification got stuck and they were super helpful getting me through to the right department.

The whole process seems intimidating at first but once you get started it's pretty straightforward. Just take it step by step and don't be afraid to ask for help if you get stuck. Good luck!

One last thing - make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week. If you miss the deadline, you might lose that week's benefits even if you're eligible.

Also remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them when you file your tax return next year.

just get started asap, every day you wait is money you're potentially losing. the system sucks but you need the benefits

You've got this! The application really isn't as scary as it seems once you get started. Just have all your information ready and take your time filling it out accurately. Feel free to come back here if you run into any specific issues during the process.

Just wanted to add that you should also gather any W-2s or 1099s from the past year if you have them - they can help verify your work history and earnings. Also, if you worked for any temporary agencies or had contract work, make sure to include those too since they count toward your eligibility. The more complete your work history is, the smoother the process will go.