How do you file for unemployment with Washington ESD - first time filing

You'll need to file online at esd.wa.gov. Start by creating an account on SecureAccess Washington (SAW) if you don't have one. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history from the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. Also have your bank account info ready for direct deposit.

Make sure you file ASAP! There's a waiting week but the sooner you file the better. I waited like 2 weeks after I got fired and it delayed everything.

If you run into issues getting through to Washington ESD by phone (which happens a lot), there's a service called Claimyr that helps people reach ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helpful when you need to talk to someone about your claim status.

Construction workers sometimes have special considerations because of seasonal work patterns. Make sure you report all your employers from the last 18 months, even short-term jobs. Washington ESD looks at all your wages to determine your benefit amount.

ugh the ESD website is such a pain to navigate. took me forever to figure out where to actually start the application. once you're in the system though its not too bad

After you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to keep getting benefits. Don't forget about that part - it's easy to miss and then you lose payments.

One thing nobody tells you is that if you get laid off due to lack of work (which sounds like your situation), that's usually considered a qualifying separation. If you quit or got fired for misconduct, it's more complicated.

BE CAREFUL about the job search requirements! You have to actively look for work and keep a log. Washington ESD can audit you and if you don't have proper documentation, you could owe back all the benefits.

Expect your first payment to take 2-3 weeks if everything goes smoothly. There's a waiting week plus processing time. Don't panic if it seems slow at first.

Make sure your address is correct in the system! I had mail going to an old address and missed important notices about my claim. Caused a huge headache.

Also set up direct deposit if you can. Paper checks take forever and can get lost in the mail. Much easier to just have it go straight to your bank account.

If your claim goes into adjudication for any reason, don't freak out. It's pretty common but can take weeks to resolve. That's another situation where calling ESD becomes important, and again, Claimyr can help you actually get through to talk to someone.

Keep copies of everything! Screenshot your application, save confirmation numbers, print important documents. The system can be glitchy and you want proof of what you submitted.

honestly the whole system is frustrating but once you get the hang of it its not terrible. just be patient and dont expect it to work perfectly the first time

One last tip - read everything carefully before clicking submit. I made a typo in my SSN and it caused weeks of delays while they sorted it out.

Good luck with your claim! The initial filing is actually the easy part - it's the weekly maintenance and job search stuff that trips people up later.

Just remember - Washington ESD processes thousands of claims, so some delays are normal. Don't stress too much if it takes a couple weeks to get your first payment. Focus on your job search and stay on top of your weekly claims.

Construction work can be unpredictable - you might end up needing unemployment again in the future. Now that you know the process, it'll be much easier next time.

Welcome to the unemployment club! It sucks but at least WA has decent benefits compared to some states. You should be fine if you follow all the advice in this thread.

Final reminder about Claimyr - keep their info handy in case you run into issues later. Much better than spending hours on hold with ESD. The peace of mind is worth it when you need to actually talk to someone about your claim.