How do you file for unemployment with Washington ESD - completely lost on where to start

You can file completely online through the Washington ESD website. Go to esd.wa.gov and look for the 'Apply for Benefits' section. You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the past 18 months, and bank account info for direct deposit. The whole process takes about 30-45 minutes if you have everything ready.

Make sure you file as soon as possible! There's a waiting week in Washington so the sooner you apply, the sooner you'll start getting benefits. Also, you'll need to register with WorkSource Washington for the job search requirements.

I struggled with this too when I got laid off. The Washington ESD phone lines are always busy and it's nearly impossible to get through. I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual ESD agent when I had questions about my application. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

The online application is pretty straightforward but be prepared for it to take a while to process. Mine took about 2 weeks before I got my first payment, and that was without any issues.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL YOUR PAPERWORK READY BEFORE YOU START! I had to stop halfway through because I didn't have my W2 and then the system timed out and I had to start over. So frustrating.

Don't forget you have to do a phone interview too. They'll schedule it after you file and it can take a few weeks to get scheduled. Make sure you answer when they call or you'll have to reschedule.

I filed online last month and it was actually pretty easy once I got started. The hardest part was gathering all the employment info. Take your time and double-check everything before submitting.

One thing they don't tell you upfront - you'll need to file a weekly claim every week to get paid, even if your initial claim is still being processed. Don't skip this or you'll lose those weeks.

The Washington ESD system has gotten better but it's still not perfect. Sometimes it crashes or runs slow, especially on Sundays when everyone is filing their weekly claims. Try to file early in the week if possible.

I was so confused when I first filed too. The key is to just start the application - you can save your progress and come back to it later if you need to find more information.

Pro tip: create an account on SecureAccess Washington (SAW) first if you don't already have one. That's what you'll use to log into the ESD system and it can take a day or two to get verified.

When I had trouble with my application, I used Claimyr to get through to someone at ESD. Way better than trying to call on your own - I was on hold for hours before I found that service.

Make sure you're eligible before you file. You need to have worked enough hours in the past year and lost your job through no fault of your own. If you quit or got fired for cause, you might not qualify.

Don't panic if your claim goes into 'adjudication' status. It just means they need to verify something with your employer. It can take a few weeks but doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem.

I recommend filing on a weekday morning if possible. The system is less busy and you're more likely to get help if you run into problems.

Remember to report any severance pay or vacation payout you received. It might delay your benefits but you have to report it or you could get in trouble later.

The whole process is intimidating at first but once you get through the initial application, the weekly claims are pretty simple. Just answer the questions honestly and you'll be fine.

If you need to talk to someone at ESD and can't get through on the phone, definitely try Claimyr. I wish I had known about it when I was struggling to reach them about my claim status.

One last tip - set up direct deposit when you file. Getting a check in the mail takes forever and can get lost. Direct deposit is much faster and more reliable.