How do you file for unemployment benefits with Washington ESD - need step by step help

First thing you need to do is go to esd.wa.gov and create your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account if you don't have one already. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months. Make sure you have employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation ready before you start.

The whole process took me about 45 minutes when I filed mine. Just take your time and don't rush through it. Double check everything before you submit because changes are a pain to make later.

Here's the basic process: 1) Create SAW account 2) Apply for benefits online 3) Complete the initial application with all your work history 4) File your first weekly claim 5) Register with WorkSource (job search requirement) 6) Keep filing weekly claims every week. You have to file by Sunday night each week or you lose that week's benefits.

I struggled with getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions during my application. Their phone lines are always busy and I kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call.

make sure you file the week you lose your job, not the week after. i waited a week thinking i needed to be unemployed for a full week first and that delayed everything

The hardest part for me was figuring out what to put for 'reason for separation.' I got laid off but wasn't sure if that counted as 'lack of work' or something else. Ended up calling Washington ESD to clarify but took forever to get through.

Pro tip - have your last pay stub handy when you apply. They ask about your wages and it's easier to be accurate if you have the numbers right in front of you.

Don't stress too much about minor mistakes. I put the wrong start date for one of my jobs by a few days and it didn't cause any issues. Washington ESD will contact your employers to verify anyway.

The Washington ESD system is down for maintenance every Sunday from like 2 AM to 6 AM so don't try to file your weekly claim during those hours. Learned that the hard way my first week.

After you submit your initial application, you might not hear anything for a few days. Don't panic - that's normal. They're processing thousands of claims. You should get a determination letter within a couple weeks telling you if you're approved and for how much.

IMPORTANT: Keep filing your weekly claims even if your initial application is still being processed. If you stop filing weekly claims thinking you'll wait until you're approved, you'll lose those weeks permanently.

Make sure you understand the work search requirements before you start collecting. In Washington you need to do job search activities and keep a log. They can audit you and if you can't prove you were looking for work, they'll make you pay benefits back.

I found the Washington ESD customer service helpful when I actually got through to them. Had questions about reporting part-time work and they walked me through exactly how to report it so I wouldn't mess up my benefits.

Quick question - if I worked in multiple states, do I still file in Washington? I worked in Oregon for 6 months last year but live in Washington now.

One thing that confused me was the difference between filing date and effective date. Your effective date is usually the Sunday of the week you file, not the actual day you file. So if you file on a Tuesday, your claim starts from the previous Sunday.

Don't forget to set up direct deposit if you want your payments deposited directly to your account. Otherwise you'll get a debit card in the mail which works fine but direct deposit is faster.

Just want to say thanks to everyone who helped explain this process. I was really overwhelmed when I lost my job but this thread has been super helpful. Going to start my application tomorrow morning.

One last tip - screenshot or save confirmation numbers from everything you do on the Washington ESD site. If there's ever a technical issue or dispute, having those reference numbers is really helpful.