How do you file for unemployment with Washington ESD - confused about the process

Start at esd.wa.gov and create your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account first. You'll need your SSN, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. The online application is pretty straightforward once you get started.

The whole process is a nightmare tbh. I spent hours trying to get through on the phone just to ask questions before filing. The website has info but it's confusing and when you call the regular number you just get hung up on after waiting forever.

Here's the step by step process: 1) Create SAW account at secure.esd.wa.gov 2) Gather employment info for past 18 months 3) File initial claim online 4) Wait for monetary determination letter 5) File weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is pending. Don't wait to start filing weekly claims or you'll lose benefits for those weeks.

whatever you do DONT mess up the reason you're unemployed part. I put down the wrong separation reason and it caused a whole adjudication mess that took months to sort out.

You'll also need to register with WorkSourceWA for the job search requirements. Don't skip this step - Washington ESD requires it and they'll stop your benefits if you don't comply with job search requirements.

The online application asks for your bank info for direct deposit. Have your routing and account numbers ready. Way faster than waiting for paper checks.

i filed online last month and it was actually pretty easy once i got started. took maybe 30 minutes total. the hardest part was remembering all my previous employers info

One thing nobody mentions is that you might need to verify your identity. Washington ESD has been really strict about identity verification lately. Have your documents ready - driver's license, social security card, etc.

Make sure you file your claim for the week you actually became unemployed, not when you decide to file. You can backdate but it's easier to get it right from the start.

Just a heads up that Washington ESD is super backed up right now. Even straightforward claims are taking longer than usual to process. Don't panic if you don't hear back immediately.

Don't forget you have to file weekly claims EVERY week, even weeks when you don't get paid. Miss a week and you lose those benefits permanently.

I'm going through this same process right now! Filed my initial claim 2 weeks ago and still waiting for my monetary determination. The waiting is the worst part.

protip: take screenshots of everything when you file. if there are any issues later you'll want proof of what you submitted and when

Also make sure your contact information is current in your SAW account. Washington ESD communicates mainly through the online portal but they might need to call you if there are issues with your claim.

The whole system is confusing at first but you'll get the hang of it. I was totally lost when I first filed but now it's just routine. File weekly claims on Sunday, check for messages, keep looking for work.

One last thing - if you run into any roadblocks or need to speak with someone at Washington ESD about your claim, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier has been a lifesaver for a lot of people here. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get things sorted out.

honestly the hardest part for me was just getting over the anxiety of filing. kept putting it off because I was worried I'd mess something up. wish I had just done it sooner

Remember that unemployment benefits are something you paid into while you were working. Don't feel bad about filing - it's there for exactly this situation.

Final reminder: file your initial claim as soon as possible because benefits don't start until you file, regardless of when you became unemployed. Then stay on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements. You've got this!

Good timing on this thread, I was wondering the same thing. Saving all these responses for when I need to file.