How do you file an unemployment claim in Washington - completely lost on the process

Sorry to hear about your layoff. The process isn't too bad once you know the steps. First, go to secure.esd.wa.gov and create your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account if you don't have one. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation.

The application itself takes about 30-45 minutes if you have all your info ready. Make sure you file in the first week after you lose your job - there's a waiting week before benefits start, so don't delay. You'll also need to register with WorkSource Washington for job search requirements.

Just went through this process myself last month. After you submit your initial claim, Washington ESD will either approve it right away or send it to adjudication if they need to verify information with your employer. Mine took 3 weeks because they had to confirm my separation reason.

Don't forget you have to file weekly claims every week to get paid, even while your initial claim is being processed. Log into your account every Sunday and complete the weekly claim by reporting any work you did and money you earned that week.

ugh the washington esd system is so confusing. took me forever to figure out the SAW login thing. why cant they just make it simple like other states

Update: I started the application and got stuck on the employer information section. My last employer was acquired by another company right before I got laid off. Do I put the original company name or the new one?

I tried calling Washington ESD yesterday and was on hold for 2 hours before getting disconnected. This is ridiculous - how are people supposed to get help when they need it?

Pro tip: file your claim early in the week if possible. I filed on a Friday and it seemed to take longer to process than my friend who filed on Monday.

Make sure you understand the job search requirements too. You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities. WorkSource has good resources for this.

been unemployed 3 times in my career and the process gets easier each time. just take it step by step and dont panic if it takes a few weeks to get approved

One thing to watch out for - if you have any side income like freelance work or gig economy jobs, you need to report that on your weekly claims. Even small amounts can affect your benefits.

The Washington ESD website has a pretty good checklist of what you need before starting the application. I printed it out and gathered everything first - made the process much smoother.

Remember that your benefit amount is based on your highest earning quarter in the past year, not your most recent pay. So if you had a really good quarter earlier, your benefits might be higher than expected.

Just want to add that if your claim gets denied for any reason, don't give up. You can appeal the decision and many appeals are successful if you have good documentation.

The system can be glitchy sometimes. If you get error messages while filing, try a different browser or clear your cache. I had to switch from Chrome to Firefox to get mine to work.

Don't forget to update your contact information if you move during your claim period. Missing important notices from Washington ESD can cause delays or even disqualification.

If you're worried about the application taking too long, you can always check the status online after you submit. The system updates pretty regularly with where your claim stands in the process.

I had issues with my claim last year and spent weeks trying to get through to Washington ESD by phone. Finally tried Claimyr and got connected to an agent the same day. Definitely worth considering if you run into problems.

Good luck with your claim! The initial anxiety is normal but most people get through the process fine. Just stay on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements.