How do you collect unemployment benefits in Washington - complete beginner here

You need to file your initial claim as soon as possible after your last day of work. Don't wait! 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 dates and wages. The process takes about 30-45 minutes.

After you file your initial claim, you have to file weekly claims every week to get paid. This is super important - if you miss filing a weekly claim, you won't get benefits for that week. You can file online or by phone starting Sunday for the previous week.

One thing that helped me a lot when I was dealing with Washington ESD was using Claimyr to actually get through to a real person when I had questions. The regular phone lines are always busy but they have a way to get you connected faster. Check out claimyr.com - there's even a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Make sure you understand the job search requirements! In Washington you need to do at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. This includes applying for jobs, networking, going to job fairs, etc. Keep detailed records because they can audit you.

ugh the whole system is so confusing when you're new to it. I remember being overwhelmed too. Just take it one step at a time and don't panic if your claim goes into adjudication - that's normal for a lot of people

Also register with WorkSource Washington (worksourcewa.com) right away. It's required and they have job search tools and resources that count toward your weekly job search activities.

One thing nobody tells you is that your first week is usually a waiting week where you don't get paid even if you're eligible. So don't expect money right away.

Make sure you have all your employer information ready when you apply - company name, address, supervisor name, dates of employment, reason for separation. The more accurate info you provide upfront, the smoother the process goes.

Don't forget to report any severance pay or vacation payout you received. That can affect when your benefits start. Better to report it upfront than have problems later.

Another tip - set up your online account with a strong password and write it down somewhere safe. You'll be logging in every week and if you get locked out, it can be a pain to reset.

Keep copies of everything you submit and take screenshots of confirmation pages. If there are any issues later, you'll want proof of what you filed and when.

honestly the hardest part is just getting started. once you file that first claim and do a couple weekly claims it becomes routine. don't overthink it too much

One more important thing - if you have any questions or run into problems, don't just guess or assume. Either call Washington ESD or use a service like the one mentioned earlier to get through to them. Wrong assumptions can mess up your benefits.

Also be prepared for the possibility that your claim might get flagged for identity verification. They're pretty strict about that now. You might need to upload documents or do a video call to verify who you are.

Just remember that unemployment is not charity - you earned this benefit through your work history. Don't feel bad about using it, that's what it's there for.

If you're thinking about doing any part-time or temporary work while collecting benefits, make sure you understand how that affects your weekly benefit amount. You can work and still collect partial benefits in most cases.

Last tip - if you move or change your contact information while collecting benefits, update it immediately in your account. They need to be able to reach you and mail can get lost.

The whole process seems overwhelming at first but thousands of people do this successfully every week. You'll figure it out. Just file that initial claim ASAP and take it one step at a time.

One final thought - if you do end up needing to reach Washington ESD by phone for any reason and can't get through on their regular lines, definitely check out that Claimyr service I mentioned. It saved me hours of frustration when I had an adjudication issue to resolve.

you got this! the first time is always the scariest but it gets easier. welcome to the unemployment club nobody wants to join lol