How does Washington ESD unemployment work - complete beginner here

Sorry to hear about your job loss. The Washington ESD unemployment process starts at esd.wa.gov where you'll file your initial claim. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months. The weekly benefit amount is calculated based on your highest earning quarter, and you can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks typically. Make sure you file as soon as possible since there's a waiting week.

The key thing is understanding that Washington ESD requires you to be actively looking for work and able to work. You'll need to file weekly claims every week to certify that you're meeting these requirements. Job search requirements are 3 job contacts per week typically, but check your specific requirements in your eServices account.

Just went through this process myself last month. Be prepared for potential delays - my claim got stuck in adjudication for 3 weeks because they needed to verify my employment history. If you run into issues getting through to Washington ESD by phone, I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me connected to an agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

ugh the washington esd system is so confusing when you first start. took me forever to figure out the difference between filing a claim and filing weekly claims. also make sure you register with WorkSource too or they'll make you do it later anyway

The Washington ESD website can be really overwhelming at first. Here's what I wish someone had told me: after you file your initial claim, you'll get a determination letter in the mail explaining your weekly benefit amount and how long you can collect. Don't panic if it takes a week or two to arrive. Your first payment will include any back weeks if your claim is approved.

Been on unemployment twice in the past 5 years and honestly the Washington ESD system has gotten better but still has issues. Make sure you answer all the weekly claim questions accurately - if you work any hours or earn any money, report it. They will find out eventually and you don't want an overpayment situation.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Washington has a one-week waiting period so your first payable week won't actually pay out until your second week. This catches a lot of people off guard.

Pro tip: set up direct deposit right away in your eServices account. Waiting for checks in the mail adds extra time and they can get lost. Also keep copies of everything you submit to Washington ESD.

Washington state unemployment benefits are taxable income so don't forget to have taxes withheld or you'll owe money next year. You can choose to have federal and state taxes taken out when you file your weekly claims.

Make sure you understand the difference between being 'able and available' for work versus actually looking for work. Washington ESD requires both. If you get sick or go on vacation, you need to report that you weren't available for work that week.

The phone system at Washington ESD is absolutely terrible. I spent hours trying to get through when my claim had issues. Finally used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and actually got to talk to someone. Worth it when you're desperate to get answers.

also if you worked for multiple employers in the past year make sure you have all their info ready when you file. washington esd will want addresses, dates, and how much you earned at each job

One thing that helped me was joining some local job search groups while on unemployment. It counts toward your job search requirements and you actually meet people who might know about openings. Much better than just applying online all the time.

Whatever you do, don't ignore any letters or emails from Washington ESD. They have strict deadlines for responding to requests for information. If you miss a deadline, your benefits can be stopped.

Keep detailed records of all your job search activities from day one. I use a spreadsheet with company names, positions applied for, dates, and contact information. Washington ESD can audit your job search at any time.

Don't be surprised if your first few weekly claims take longer to process. The system needs time to verify everything is set up correctly. After that, payments usually come pretty regularly if you don't have any issues.

If you end up needing to talk to someone at Washington ESD and can't get through the regular phone lines, I had success with that Claimyr service too. They know how to navigate the phone system better than regular people do.

Remember that unemployment benefits are temporary assistance, not a long-term solution. Use the time to not just look for any job, but to really think about what kind of career move makes sense next. Take advantage of any training programs WorkSource offers.

Last piece of advice: don't let the stress of being unemployed make you accept the first terrible job offer you get. You can refuse job offers that don't match your skills or pay significantly less than your previous job without losing benefits.

Good luck with everything! The unemployment system can be confusing at first but once you get into the routine of filing weekly claims and doing your job search, it becomes much more manageable. Feel free to ask if you have more specific questions as you go through the process.