How do you get unemployment checks from Washington ESD - complete beginner

You need to file your initial claim online at esd.wa.gov. Don't go to an office - everything is done online now. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment information from your last job including dates and wages. The process takes about 30-45 minutes to complete.

After you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to get paid. This is super important - you have to do this even during your waiting week. You'll also need to do job search activities and log them in your WorkSourceWA account.

Just went through this process last month. Be prepared to wait - my claim took 6 weeks to get approved because it went into adjudication. Had such a hard time getting through to anyone at Washington ESD to check on the status. 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.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A NIGHTMARE! I've been trying to get my claim processed for 8 weeks now and keep getting the runaround. They ask for documents then lose them, then ask for the same documents again. I'm about to lose my apartment because I can't pay rent!

For everyone reading this - make sure you have a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account set up before you start. That's how you'll access your unemployment account. Also keep detailed records of everything - screenshots, confirmation numbers, dates you called, etc.

Quick question - do you get paid weekly or every two weeks? And how much can you expect to get?

been on unemployment 3 times over the years and it gets easier each time. first time is always confusing but once you get the hang of filing weekly claims it becomes routine. just make sure you never miss a week or you'll have to start over

One thing no one mentioned - you need to be able and available for work each week. That means you can't be sick, on vacation, or otherwise unable to work when you file your weekly claim.

My cousin used that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier and said it saved her weeks of frustration. She was stuck in adjudication and couldn't get through to anyone at Washington ESD. Worth looking into if you're having phone troubles.

Don't forget about the work search requirements! You need to create a WorkSourceWA account and log all your job search activities there. This includes applications, networking, job fairs, etc.

I know it seems overwhelming but it's really not that bad once you get started. The key is to file your initial claim as soon as possible after you lose your job. Don't wait because there's usually a waiting period anyway.

Also make sure you understand the difference between being laid off and being fired. If you were fired for misconduct you might not qualify for benefits.

One more tip - set up direct deposit! Getting checks in the mail takes forever and they sometimes get lost. Direct deposit is much faster and more reliable.

Reading all this makes me grateful I never had to deal with unemployment. Sounds like a bureaucratic nightmare honestly.

Last piece of advice - be patient but persistent. If your claim gets stuck, keep trying different ways to contact Washington ESD. Don't just wait and hope it gets resolved on its own.

Actually I tried Claimyr too when I was stuck and it really did help. Was skeptical at first but desperate times call for desperate measures. Got connected to an agent within a few days instead of weeks of calling myself.

Just want to add that you should also sign up for job alerts and career counseling through WorkSource. They have good resources beyond just the job search logging requirement.

Hope this thread helps other people who are new to unemployment. I wish I had found something like this when I first started - would have saved me a lot of confusion and stress!