How do you file for unemployment in Washington state - confused about the process

First thing - don't panic! The process is actually pretty straightforward once you know what to expect. You'll need to file your initial claim at esd.wa.gov. You'll create a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account if you don't have one already. Have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment info for the last 18 months ready - that includes employer names, addresses, dates worked, and your gross wages.

Make sure you file during your first week of unemployment, not before your last day of work. That's a common mistake people make. Also, the system is usually less busy early morning or late evening if you want to avoid crashes.

ugh the whole process is such a nightmare when you can't get through to anyone at Washington ESD to ask questions. I spent hours trying to call them when I had issues with my initial claim. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real person. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration!

The key things Washington ESD needs for your initial claim: your SSN, contact info, employment history for the past 18 months, bank account info for direct deposit, and the reason you're no longer working. Be honest about why you left - if you were laid off, fired, or quit, they need to know the exact circumstances for your eligibility determination.

Don't forget you have to register with WorkSource too! That's separate from filing your claim. You'll need to create a job search profile and start looking for work immediately. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week.

Pro tip: have ALL your employer information organized before you start the application. Employer name, full address, phone number, supervisor name, dates of employment, and reason for leaving. If you worked multiple jobs, you'll need this for each one. The system times out if you take too long.

After you file your initial claim, you'll get a determination letter in your eServices account within a few days. Don't freak out if it takes a week or so. Then you have to file weekly claims every week to get paid, even during your waiting week.

Make sure your direct deposit info is correct! I made a typo in my account number and it delayed my first payment by two weeks. Had to call Washington ESD to fix it and that was a whole ordeal.

One thing they don't make clear is that you can file online 24/7 but if you need to call with questions, the best time is right at 8 AM when they open. The lines get completely jammed after 9 AM.

IMPORTANT: File your claim based on when you became unemployed, not when you heard about unemployment benefits. I waited two weeks thinking I needed to 'prepare' first and lost out on those weeks of benefits because you can't backdate claims in Washington.

The website walks you through it step by step but here's the basic flow: create SAW account → file initial claim → wait for determination → register with WorkSource → file weekly claims. Each weekly claim asks if you worked, looked for work, and were available for work.

Don't stress too much about making mistakes in the application. You can usually provide additional info later if needed. The main thing is getting it filed quickly so your claim starts processing.

Quick question - do you know if you were making enough wages to qualify? Washington ESD has minimum earnings requirements. If you haven't worked much in the past year, you might not be eligible.

Watch out for the identity verification step. Sometimes Washington ESD flags new claims for ID verification which can delay processing. Have your documents ready just in case.

File online if at all possible. The phone system for filing claims is even worse than calling for help. Plus online gives you a confirmation number and saves your progress.

Last tip: screenshot or print everything! Keep records of when you filed, your confirmation numbers, and any correspondence from Washington ESD. You'll want that paper trail if any issues come up.

One more thing - if your claim goes into adjudication (meaning they need to review something), don't panic. It's pretty common and usually resolves within a few weeks. Just make sure to respond quickly to any requests for additional information.

You've got this! The hardest part is just getting started. Once your claim is filed and approved, the weekly claims become routine. Just remember to file every week and keep up with your job search requirements.

Actually just remembered - if you do run into problems and need to talk to someone at Washington ESD, I had good luck with that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Saved me hours of redialing when I needed help with my weekly claim questions.

Just want to add that you should also have your bank routing and account numbers ready for direct deposit setup - it's much faster than waiting for a debit card to arrive in the mail. And don't worry if the system seems slow or glitchy, especially during peak hours. Just be patient and save your progress frequently. The Washington ESD website can be finicky but it will get you through the process. You're doing the right thing by filing quickly after your job loss!

Just to add to all the great advice here - make sure you understand the difference between your "date last worked" and your "date of separation." Sometimes people get confused because their last day of work might be different from when they were actually notified about the layoff. Use your actual last day of work for the application. Also, if you're eligible for any severance pay, that might affect when your benefits can start, so be upfront about that too. The Washington ESD system will walk you through these questions, but it helps to think about them beforehand. Good luck with your filing!