How do you file for unemployment with Washington ESD - completely lost here

You file online through the Washington ESD website at esd.wa.gov. You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months (dates, employer names, addresses), and your driver's license or state ID. The process takes about 30-45 minutes if you have all your info ready.

Make sure you have your reason for separation ready to explain clearly. If you were laid off, fired, or quit makes a big difference in whether you'll qualify. Also gather any documentation you have like your final paycheck stub or termination letter.

Just a heads up - the Washington ESD phone system is absolutely terrible if you need to call them. I spent weeks trying to get through when I had issues with my claim. If you run into problems, there's actually a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that can help you get through to an actual person at ESD. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

ugh the whole process is such a pain. took me like 2 hours to get through it all because i kept having to look up old employer info. make sure you have addresses and phone numbers for every job you've had

One important thing - after you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to keep getting benefits. These are usually available on Sunday and you need to file by the following Saturday. Don't forget to do this or you'll miss out on benefits for that week.

Be prepared for the job search requirements too. In Washington you need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of what you did. They can audit this at any time.

Don't stress too much about the initial application. The hardest part is just getting started. The Washington ESD website actually walks you through it step by step pretty well.

Make sure your claim doesn't get stuck in adjudication like mine did. Three weeks of waiting with no explanation. The system is so broken.

You'll probably get a determination letter in the mail within a week or two after filing. Keep an eye out for that - it'll tell you if you're approved and how much your weekly benefit will be.

Pro tip: set up your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account before you start the unemployment application. You'll need it to access your claim online later anyway.

been there done that, the whole thing is a nightmare but you'll get through it. just take it one step at a time

Remember to keep track of all your job search activities from day one. Use a spreadsheet or notebook to log company names, dates, positions applied for, and contact information. Trust me, you don't want to try to recreate this from memory later.

If you have any issues with your claim, don't wait around hoping it'll fix itself. The sooner you address problems, the better. And yeah, calling ESD is a total nightmare but sometimes you just have to do it.

Also make sure you understand the difference between able and available. You have to be both to qualify for benefits each week. Able means physically and mentally capable of working, available means you're not doing anything that would prevent you from accepting a job.

Don't forget to register with WorkSourceWA too. It's required for most unemployment claimants and they have job search resources that can help.

The good news is that once you get through the initial setup, the weekly claims are pretty quick - usually just takes a few minutes each week.

Just remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income, so you might want to have taxes withheld or set aside money for tax time. You can choose to have federal taxes withheld when you file your claim.

You've got this! It seems overwhelming at first but thousands of people go through this process every week. The Washington ESD website has good instructions and there are resources available if you get stuck.

One last thing - make sure you read all the notices and letters you get from ESD carefully. They often contain important information about your claim status or things you need to do.