How do you get unemployment benefits through Washington ESD - complete beginner here

First thing you need to do is file your initial claim online at esd.wa.gov. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates of employment. Don't wait - file as soon as possible because benefits start from the week you file, not when you lost your job.

The online application is pretty straightforward but make sure you answer all the questions accurately. After you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to get paid. You also have to do job searches - I think it's 3 job contacts per week now.

I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions about my claim. The phone lines are always busy and I kept getting disconnected. I finally found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

You'll need to file your initial claim through the Washington ESD website at esd.wa.gov. You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months (dates, employer names, addresses, reason for separation), and bank account info if you want direct deposit. The sooner you file the better since there's a waiting week before benefits start.

Sorry to hear about your job loss. You'll need to file your initial claim online at esd.wa.gov. Make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates of employment. You'll also need your bank account information for direct deposit. The sooner you file, the better - benefits are backdated to when you first file your claim.

The process is pretty straightforward once you get started. After you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits. Each week you'll report any work you did and wages earned. You also have to actively search for work and keep a record of your job search activities.

Once you file your initial claim, it can take 2-3 weeks to get your first payment if everything goes smoothly. But if there are any issues with your claim, it could go into adjudication and take much longer. Make sure you were laid off or fired through no fault of your own - if you quit voluntarily, you might not qualify.

The whole process is pretty straightforward once you get started. After you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to keep getting benefits. Each week you'll report any work you did and any money you earned. Job search requirements kicked back in too so you'll need to do 3 job search activities per week.

Just went through this process myself last month. One thing that helped me was using Claimyr (claimyr.com) when I needed to talk to someone at Washington ESD. The phone lines are always busy and I was getting frustrated trying to reach them for weeks. Claimyr helped me get through to an actual person who could answer my questions about my claim status. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

ugh the washington esd website is so confusing, took me forever to figure out where to even start filing. make sure you create your SecureAccess Washington account first, thats what you use to log into the esd system

dont forget you have to register with WorkSource too, thats where you do your job searches and they have job training programs

Just went through this whole process myself a few months ago. One thing that really helped me was using Claimyr to actually get through to someone at Washington ESD when I had questions. The phone lines are always busy and I was getting nowhere trying to call on my own. Found out about it from someone on here actually - there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Basically it calls for you and gets you connected to an actual person without having to sit on hold forever.

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington is $999 per week, but most people get less than that. Your benefit amount is based on your wages from the highest quarter in your base period. The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed.

Important thing to remember - you must file your initial claim within one year of when you become unemployed to be eligible for benefits. Don't wait thinking you'll find a job quickly. Even if you find work right away, having an active claim can be helpful if that job doesn't work out.

Make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week, even if your initial claim is still pending. You can file weekly claims starting the Sunday after you file your initial claim. Miss a week and you might lose benefits for that week.

ugh the washington esd system is such a nightmare... took me 3 tries just to get my application submitted because the website kept timing out

The whole system is a nightmare tbh. I've been trying to get through to someone at Washington ESD for weeks about my claim that's stuck in adjudication. They say they're investigating my eligibility but won't tell me what the issue is or how long it'll take.

Make sure you understand the difference between your initial claim and your weekly claims. The initial claim is what determines if you're eligible and how much you'll get. After that's approved, you file weekly claims every Sunday for the previous week. Miss a weekly claim and you don't get paid for that week - there's no making it up later.

One thing that tripped me up was the waiting week. In Washington, you don't get paid for your first week of unemployment. It's like a one-week waiting period that everyone has to serve.

For anyone new to this - your weekly benefit amount is calculated based on your highest-earning quarter in your base period. In Washington, the maximum weekly benefit is currently $1,015. You can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks in most cases.

The waiting week thing is important to understand too. Even if your claim gets approved right away, you won't get paid for your first week. It's like a penalty week that you don't get compensated for. So plan accordingly because your first payment will be for your second week of unemployment.

Make sure you're actually eligible before filing. You need to have worked and earned wages in Washington state, be unemployed through no fault of your own, and be able and available for work. If you quit your job or were fired for misconduct, you probably won't qualify.

ugh the washington esd website is so confusing, took me forever to figure out where to file my weekly claim

I remember when I first filed, I was so worried about doing something wrong. The key is just to be honest and accurate with all your information. Washington ESD will catch any mistakes anyway, so it's better to get it right the first time.

Pro tip: when you're filling out the application, be super accurate about why you lost your job. If you put 'quit' when you were actually laid off, or vice versa, it can delay your claim while they investigate. Same goes for your last day worked and your wages.

Also heads up that your claim might go into 'adjudication' which basically means they need to investigate something before approving you. Don't panic if this happens - it's pretty common especially for first-time filers. Could be anything from verifying your employment to confirming why you lost your job.

Don't forget about taxes! Unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or you'll owe when you file your tax return next year. Most people don't think about this until it's too late.

Make sure you keep looking for work actively even while collecting benefits. The job search requirements are no joke and they do audit people. You need to make 3 job search contacts per week and log them in WorkSourceWA. If you get selected for an audit and can't prove you were looking for work, they can make you pay back everything.

if your claim gets denied for some reason dont give up!! you can appeal the decision. lots of people just accept the denial but you have rights. the appeal process isnt that complicated

Been collecting UI for about 6 weeks now and the process becomes routine once you get used to it. File your weekly claim every Sunday, do your job searches throughout the week, report any work or earnings honestly. The key is just staying on top of it and not missing any deadlines.

Word of advice - answer the phone if Washington ESD calls you! They sometimes need additional information and if you don't respond promptly it can delay your benefits. Also check your Secure Access Washington account regularly for any messages or documents they need.

Just be prepared for the process to take longer than you'd like. Even when everything goes smoothly, it's usually 2-3 weeks from when you file until you see your first payment. If there are any complications it can be much longer. Try to have some savings or other income source to bridge the gap.

One more thing - if you start working part-time while collecting benefits, you still need to report those earnings on your weekly claim. They'll reduce your benefit amount but you might still get something depending on how much you earn. Don't try to hide income because they will find out.

I went through a really frustrating period where my claim was stuck and nobody at Washington ESD was returning my messages. Finally used one of those callback services - I think it was Claimyr - and got connected to someone who was able to explain what was happening and what I needed to do to fix it. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get answers.

Overall don't stress too much about the process. Millions of people go through this and while the system isn't perfect, it does work. File your claim, stay organized, keep looking for work, and be patient. You'll get through this rough patch.

Almost forgot - make sure you have a good email address that you check regularly. A lot of communication from Washington ESD comes through email and if you miss important notices it can affect your benefits. Also set up direct deposit if you can, paper checks take forever.

Last piece of advice - keep records of everything. Print or screenshot your weekly claim confirmations, save any emails from Washington ESD, keep your job search log updated. If there's ever a question about your claim, having documentation makes resolving issues much easier.

The waiting period is what gets most people. There's a one-week waiting period before you can receive benefits, but you still need to file that first week. Think of it as an unpaid waiting week.

Don't forget about the job search requirements! You need to register with WorkSource Washington and actively look for work. They can audit your job search activities, so keep good records of everything you do.

I was so overwhelmed when I first started this process last year. The key is just taking it one step at a time. File your initial claim first, then worry about the weekly claims and job search stuff. Don't try to understand everything at once.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week. If you miss filing by the deadline, you could lose that week's benefits permanently. Set a reminder on your phone or calendar.

been on unemployment twice now and both times had issues getting through to ESD when I needed help. second time around I found out about this service called Claimyr that helps you get through their phone system. worked great for me when I needed to resolve an issue with my claim

Pro tip: apply for jobs in the evening or early morning when there's less competition. Also, tailor your resume for each application - it makes a big difference in getting responses.

Just remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly benefits or pay them when you file your tax return. I learned this the hard way my first time on unemployment.

The whole process took about 2 weeks from when I filed my initial claim to when I received my first payment. But that was pretty smooth - if there are any issues with your claim, it could take longer.

Make sure your contact information is up to date in your account. If ESD needs to reach you about your claim and can't get through, it could delay your benefits.

Best of luck with your claim! It's stressful being unemployed but the benefits definitely help while you're looking for work. Just stay on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements and you should be fine.

If you worked in multiple states, you might need to file in the state where you worked most recently or where you earned the most wages. But if you live in Washington and worked here, definitely file with Washington ESD.

Don't forget about taxes! Unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your benefits or pay them when you file your tax return. I always have them withheld so I don't get a big tax bill later.

Pro tip: keep detailed records of everything - when you filed, your confirmation numbers, all your job search activities, any correspondence with Washington ESD. You never know when you might need to reference something.

If you run into any issues or have questions about your claim status, seriously consider using Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD. I wasted so much time trying to call on my own before I found them.

The whole process seems overwhelming at first but it's really not that bad once you get into the routine. File your initial claim, register with WorkSource, do your job searches, and file your weekly claims. You'll get the hang of it.

just remember that if you get offered a job, you have to take it if its suitable work or you could lose your benefits

I had a friend who didn't realize she needed to report her part-time work when filing weekly claims. She ended up with an overpayment notice. Make sure you report ALL income, even small amounts.

The job search requirement is 3 job contacts per week, but during your first week you don't have to do job searches. After that, you need to keep a log of all your job search activities.

If your claim gets denied for any reason, don't give up! You have the right to appeal the decision. I had to appeal when my employer wrongly claimed I was fired for misconduct, and I won the appeal.

Good luck with your claim! The whole process can be stressful but most people who are eligible get their benefits without major issues. Just stay on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements.