How do u file for unemployment with Washington ESD - completely lost

It's all done online through the Washington ESD website. You'll need to create an account and file your initial application. Make sure you have your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and your most recent pay stub ready.

I just went through this process last month. You'll need to file your initial claim first, then file weekly claims every week to get paid. The initial claim asks for all your job history, dates, wages, reason for separation from each job. Take your time filling it out because mistakes can delay your claim.

The Washington ESD system can be really frustrating to navigate, especially when you're stressed about money. If you run into issues or need to talk to someone, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually get through to ESD agents on the phone. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of busy signals.

Make sure you file your claim as soon as possible! There's a waiting week in Washington, so the sooner you file, the sooner that week starts counting. Also, you'll need to register for work search on WorkSource Washington and start looking for jobs immediately.

ugh the washington esd website is so confusing. took me like 3 tries to figure out where to actually start the application

One more important thing - when you're filling out your work history, be as accurate as possible with dates and wages. ESD will verify this information with your employers, and any discrepancies can cause delays or even disqualification.

The system is down for maintenance every Sunday night which is super annoying. Try to file your weekly claims on Monday-Saturday to avoid that headache.

Make sure you understand the difference between your initial claim and weekly claims. The initial claim is the big application you do once. Weekly claims are the short forms you file every week to actually get paid. You can't get paid without filing those weekly claims even if your initial claim is approved.

Don't forget you'll need to do job search activities and keep a log. Washington requires you to actively look for work while collecting benefits.

I had to deal with identity verification when I first filed. They wanted copies of my ID and Social Security card uploaded through their system. Just be prepared for that possibility.

Pro tip: if your claim goes into adjudication (investigation), don't panic. It just means they need to verify something about your separation from work. It takes longer but most people still get approved.

The phone system at Washington ESD is absolutely terrible. If you need to call them, prepare to spend hours trying to get through. That's why services like Claimyr are so helpful - they handle the calling nightmare for you.

Make sure you have direct deposit set up or you'll be waiting for checks in the mail. The direct deposit info can be entered when you file your initial claim.

One thing that caught me off guard - you might owe taxes on your unemployment benefits. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them later, but just be aware of it.

If you're having trouble with the Washington ESD website or phone system, definitely check out Claimyr. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked - got connected to an agent in like 20 minutes instead of calling all day. The video demo explains it well: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ

The whole process is honestly pretty straightforward once you get started. The hardest part is just that first step of creating your account and filing the initial claim. After that it's mostly just filing weekly claims and looking for work.