How do you get paid unemployment benefits through Washington ESD?

How do I know if my claim got approved? And what exactly is a weekly claim?

You'll get a determination letter in the mail or through your online account. Weekly claims are basically confirming each week that you're still unemployed and looking for work.

2-3 weeks?? I was hoping it would be faster than that. How do I set up direct deposit?

yeah it sucks but thats just how it is. you can add your bank info in your esd account after you file

What counts as a job search activity? Is just applying online enough?

Applications count, but also things like attending job fairs, networking events, or career workshops through WorkSource. Keep a log with dates, employer names, and what you did.

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr that actually gets you through to ESD agents. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call.

Really? How does that work exactly? I'm desperate at this point.

It's pretty simple - they basically handle the calling process for you and connect you when an agent is available. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Wait really? I can file weekly claims before my initial claim is approved?

YES! This is super important. You won't get paid until your claim is approved but you need to claim those weeks or you lose them forever.

This is correct. Always file your weekly claims on time even during adjudication or you forfeit those benefit weeks.

If they deny your initial claim, you can appeal the decision. You have 30 days from the determination date to file an appeal.

Don't panic if your claim goes into adjudication either. That just means they need to verify some information before approving it. Common reasons are job separation issues or wage verification.

6 weeks?! How did you survive that long without income?

credit cards and help from family, it was rough. just be prepared for delays

I didn't even think about taxes. How much do they typically withhold?

i think its 10% federal but you can choose to have it withheld or not when you file your weekly claims

Good to know. So every Saturday I need to file for the week that just ended?

Exactly. Set a reminder on your phone because they're strict about the deadline.

That sounds useful. Is that in the account settings somewhere?

Yeah, once you create your account there should be a notifications section where you can enable text and email alerts.

You're filing for the week that just ended. So if you file on Saturday the 15th, you're claiming benefits for the week ending on that Saturday (the 9th through the 15th).

Ok that makes sense. And I need to do job searches during that week I'm claiming for, right?

Correct. You need to complete your required job search activities during the week you're claiming, not after you file the claim.

How do they calculate which quarter counts as the highest? Is it just the 3 months before I got laid off?

No, it's more complicated than that. The base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed. So if you file in January 2025, they look at January 2024 through September 2024.

Good to know since I might pick up some gig work. Do they reduce it dollar for dollar?

No, there's usually a small amount you can earn without any reduction, then they reduce your benefits by a percentage. The exact formula depends on how much you earn.

So I lose a whole week of benefits just because? That seems unfair.

Yeah it's annoying but that's how the system works. Just factor that into your financial planning.

That's great! Was it expensive to use?

Much cheaper than missing work to sit on hold all day. Plus my claim was stuck so it was worth it to get it moving again.

What if I have a doctor's appointment during the week? Do I need to report that?

Brief appointments are usually fine, but if you're unavailable for substantial periods you should report it. Better to be honest than risk issues later.

Good tip. I was planning to file on Sundays but I'll try earlier in the week.

Yeah, as long as you file before the Saturday 6 PM deadline you're fine. No need to wait until the last minute.

Thanks everyone for all the help! This gives me a much better idea of what to expect. I'll start my initial claim tomorrow.

Good luck! Remember to file your weekly claims even while waiting for approval, and don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions.

There's a mobile app? What's it called?

just search for washington esd in your app store, should come right up

I'll definitely check that out if I run into problems. Thanks for confirming it works!

No problem. The video demo they have explains it better than I can - really straightforward process.