How do you get unemployment benefits in Washington - first time filing help needed

First thing - don't wait! You should file your initial application as soon as possible after losing your job. Go to esd.wa.gov and look for the 'Apply for Benefits' section. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked.

Make sure you understand the difference between filing your initial claim and your weekly claims. After you file the initial application, you have to file weekly claims every week to actually get paid. A lot of people miss this step!

Also be prepared for potential delays. Your claim might go into adjudication if there are any questions about your separation from work. This is totally normal but can add weeks to the process. If you run into issues getting through to Washington ESD by phone, I actually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get connected to agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

One thing nobody tells you - start keeping track of your job search activities from day one. Washington has work search requirements and you need to log everything. I think it's 3 job search activities per week but double check the current requirements.

ugh the whole system is such a nightmare. took me forever to figure out all the steps and then my claim got stuck for like a month

To give you a clearer timeline: File your initial claim → Wait for determination (usually 1-2 weeks) → Start filing weekly claims → First payment typically comes 3-4 weeks after filing if everything goes smoothly. There's always a one-week waiting period for the first claim.

What if you were fired? Does that automatically disqualify you or can you still get benefits?

Pro tip: Set up your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account first if you don't have one. You'll need it to access your unemployment account. It's a separate step that trips up a lot of people.

I remember being so confused about the difference between regular unemployment and other programs. Make sure you're applying for regular UI benefits unless you have some special situation like being on standby or something.

Another heads up - if you have trouble reaching Washington ESD customer service (and you probably will), that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier can be a lifesaver. I was spending hours trying to get through and they got me connected in minutes. Really helped when my claim was stuck in adjudication.

Don't forget about the tax implications! Unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them later, but definitely keep this in mind.

The whole process seems so complicated but honestly it's not too bad once you get started. The Washington ESD website has pretty good step-by-step instructions if you take time to read through them.

One more thing - keep copies of everything. Every form you submit, every communication, every job search activity. If there are ever issues or appeals, you'll need documentation.

How long do benefits last? Is there a maximum number of weeks you can collect?

If your claim gets denied or you disagree with something, don't give up! You have appeal rights. The process might seem intimidating but it's worth pursuing if you think there's an error.

honestly just file asap and figure it out as you go. the longer you wait the longer it takes to get money

Good luck! The first time is always overwhelming but millions of people go through this process. You'll figure it out. Just be patient with the system and persistent if you run into problems.

One last suggestion - if you do end up needing to call Washington ESD and can't get through, that Claimyr service people mentioned is legit. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked when I was desperate to talk to someone about my pending claim.

Update us on how it goes! Always curious to hear about other people's experiences with the process.