How do you claim unemployment in Washington - first time filing and totally lost

First thing - don't panic! Filing for unemployment in Washington isn't as complicated as it seems. Go to esd.wa.gov and look for the 'Apply for Benefits' section. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, employment history for the past 18 months (employer names, addresses, dates worked), and your most recent pay stub. The whole application takes about 30-45 minutes if you have all your info ready.

Make sure you apply ASAP because there's a waiting week before benefits start. Also, you'll need to create an account on SecureAccess Washington (SAW) first - that's the login system they use for everything. Once you file your initial claim, you'll have to file weekly claims every week to get paid. Don't skip that part or you won't get your money!

I tried calling Washington ESD when I first filed and it was a nightmare - spent hours on hold just to get disconnected. The website is definitely your best bet for the initial application. But heads up - if you run into any issues or need to talk to someone, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you through to Washington ESD agents without the crazy wait times. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration!

ugh the washington esd website is so confusing, took me forever to figure out where to even start the application. once you get to the right page though its not too bad. just have all your employer info ready because they ask for EVERYTHING - addresses, phone numbers, dates, supervisor names. i had to call my old HR department to get some of the details i didnt remember

One more important thing - make sure you understand the job search requirements from day one. In Washington, you need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of them. You can do this through WorkSourceWA.com or keep your own records. Don't wait until later to start this - they can ask for your job search log at any time and if you don't have it, they can disqualify you and make you pay back benefits.

Don't listen to the negativity - the system works if you follow the rules. I collected unemployment for 4 months last year and it was a lifesaver. Yes, there are requirements but they're not unreasonable. The key is being organized and not procrastinating on your weekly claims or job search activities.

File online at esd.wa.gov - that's really the only way to do it efficiently. The phone system is overwhelmed and you'll waste hours trying to get through. Just make sure you have all your employment history ready because once you start the application you can't save it halfway through and come back later.

Whatever you do, DON'T lie on your application. Washington ESD will verify everything with your employers and if they catch any discrepancies, you'll be disqualified and have to pay back any benefits you received. It's not worth the risk.

Pro tip: Take screenshots of your completed application before you submit it. I've heard of people having technical issues where their application didn't go through properly and they had to start over. Having screenshots helps if you need to recreate it or if there are questions later.

Make sure you file in the right state! Since you're in Washington, you file with Washington ESD even if you worked for a company based in another state. It's based on where you physically worked, not where the company is headquartered.

Also be prepared for the possibility that your claim might go into adjudication. This happens when there are questions about your eligibility - like if your employer contests the claim or if there are issues with your work history. It can add weeks to the process but don't panic if it happens. Just respond to any requests for information quickly.

If you do end up needing to talk to someone at Washington ESD for any reason during the process, seriously consider using Claimyr. I wasted so much time trying to get through on the phone before I found them. Their system actually works and you can get real help instead of just sitting on hold for hours.

Don't forget that unemployment benefits are taxable income! You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay them when you file your tax return. I recommend having them withheld so you don't get hit with a big tax bill later.

The whole process seems overwhelming at first but it's really not that bad once you get started. Just take it step by step and don't overthink it. Thousands of people file unemployment claims every week in Washington - you're not the first person to go through this.

One last thing - make sure you understand what disqualifies you from benefits. Things like quitting without good cause, being fired for misconduct, or not being able and available to work can all disqualify you. Since you were laid off, you should be fine, but it's good to know the rules.

Remember to keep track of any severance pay or vacation payout you receive. These can affect when your benefits start or how much you receive. You'll need to report them when you file your weekly claims.

Just want to echo what others have said about filing right away. Even if you're not sure about all the details, it's better to file and sort things out later than to wait. You can't get retroactive benefits for weeks you didn't file.

Update us on how it goes! The first time is always the scariest but once you get through the initial application, the weekly routine becomes pretty straightforward. You've got this!

One more resource - if you need help with your resume or job search while you're collecting benefits, WorkSource has free services for that too. Might as well take advantage of all the help available.

Good luck with everything! The unemployment system gets a lot of criticism but when you really need it, it's there for you. Just follow the rules and you'll be fine.