How do you sign up for unemployment - Washington ESD application process help needed

You apply online through the Washington ESD website 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. The process is all online now, no need to visit an office.

The sooner you apply the better because there's a waiting period. I made the mistake of waiting a week thinking I might get my job back and it just delayed everything.

If you have trouble getting through to Washington ESD by phone to check on your application, I discovered this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me connected to an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.

Here's what you need to know about the application process: 1) Apply online at esd.wa.gov, 2) Have your employment history ready for the past 18 months, 3) Apply during the week you become unemployed, not before, 4) After your claim is filed you'll get a determination letter explaining your benefit amount, 5) You must file weekly claims every week to get paid even while your initial claim is being processed.

Make sure you understand the job search requirements too. You have to be actively looking for work and keep a log of your job search activities. Washington ESD can ask to see this at any time.

ugh the whole system is such a pain. took me forever to figure out how to even log into their website the first time

Also important to know - if you worked in multiple states in the past 18 months, you might need to file in a different state depending on where you earned the most wages. Washington ESD will tell you if that's the case.

Don't forget to report any severance pay or vacation payout when you apply. That can affect when your benefits start.

The whole process stressed me out so much when I first applied. But honestly once you get through the initial setup it's not too bad. The weekly claims only take a few minutes each week.

Pro tip: keep copies of everything you submit and take screenshots of confirmation pages. I had to prove I filed my weekly claim once and having the screenshot saved me.

If your claim gets stuck in adjudication (which happens sometimes), that's when having a way to actually reach Washington ESD becomes important. I used Claimyr to get through when I couldn't reach anyone for weeks about my claim status.

Make sure you apply for the right type of claim. Regular unemployment is for most people who lost their job through no fault of their own. There are other types like standby for certain situations.

The application asks about your reason for separation from work. Be specific but don't overthink it. 'Laid off due to lack of work' or 'Position eliminated' are common reasons that don't usually cause problems.

Just wanted to add that the Washington ESD website has a pretty good FAQ section that answers most basic questions about applying. Worth checking out if you get stuck on anything.

One thing that confused me was the work search requirements. You don't have to start looking for work immediately - there's usually a brief waiting period. But once benefits start, you need to be actively searching and keeping records.

Don't be surprised if they ask for additional information after you apply. Sometimes they need verification of your identity or employment history. Just respond quickly when they ask for stuff.

The most important thing is just to get started. The application process is pretty straightforward and Washington ESD will guide you through each step. Don't stress too much about getting everything perfect on the first try.

Also remember that if you have trouble reaching Washington ESD customer service later (and you probably will based on my experience), there are services like Claimyr that can help you get through the phone queue when you really need to talk to someone.

Final piece of advice - set up direct deposit when you apply. Much faster than waiting for checks in the mail.