How does unemployment payment work in Washington ESD - confused about weekly claims

Oh wow, I had no idea! So I need to do this every single week? What happens if I forget to file one week?

Yes every week! If you miss filing a weekly claim you can usually file it late but there might be delays in your payment. Try to file every Sunday morning when the system opens.

3 job searches per week? That seems like a lot. Do I need to apply for jobs I'm not really qualified for just to meet the requirement?

No, they should be legitimate job searches in your field or related areas. You can use job applications, networking contacts, or even attending job fairs. Keep detailed records with dates and company names.

Interesting, I'll check that out. I've been trying to call for days with no luck.

I've heard mixed things about third-party services. Is this legit or just another scam targeting unemployed people?

It's legitimate - they don't ask for your personal info or login details. They just help you get connected to the actual Washington ESD phone system when call volume is high.

Wait, you lost the money completely? Can't you file those weeks late?

You can sometimes file late weekly claims but it's a huge hassle and there's no guarantee. Much better to just file on time every week.

Actually you can usually recover missed weeks by calling Washington ESD, but like the previous poster said, it's a pain and can delay all your payments.

They can really make you pay everything back? That's terrifying. How often do they actually audit people?

It's random but when they do audit, they're thorough. I've heard of people getting hit with overpayment notices months later when they couldn't prove their job searches.

3 times in 5 years? That's rough. Do you have any tips for making the process easier?

set a reminder on your phone for sunday mornings to file weekly claims. also start your job search immediately dont wait around

Wait, so I don't get paid for my first week at all? That seems unfair when I already had to wait for my claim to be approved.

Right, it's frustrating but that's how the system works. The waiting week is served once per benefit year, so if you go back on unemployment later in the same year you won't have another waiting week.

I understand the skepticism, but honestly when you've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks and getting nowhere, sometimes you need help. They don't charge anything upfront and you only pay if they actually get you connected.

I tried Claimyr last month when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Got through to Washington ESD in about 20 minutes instead of the usual hours of busy signals. Worth it for the peace of mind.

Good to know! I'll make sure to file first thing Sunday morning from now on.

Exactly. The earlier you file, the faster you get paid. Also make sure your direct deposit info is correct in your account or it will delay everything.

Really? Online training counts? That would be so much easier than trying to find 3 jobs to apply for every week.

Yes, but check the specific requirements on the Washington ESD website. Different types of training or activities might count differently toward your weekly requirement.

What if I do some door dash or uber driving? Do I need to report that too?

Yes, any work including gig work needs to be reported. Washington ESD will reduce your benefits based on how much you earned that week.

Same here! The whole process is so much more complicated than I expected.

Yeah, Washington ESD really needs to do a better job explaining the basics to new claimants. Most people have never dealt with unemployment before.

I didn't know they had text alerts! I'll definitely set that up.

Yeah, you can customize what alerts you want to receive. Really helpful for staying on top of deadlines and payments.

What exactly is adjudication? I keep seeing that term but don't really understand it.

Adjudication is when Washington ESD needs to investigate something about your claim - like if there's a question about why you lost your job or if you're eligible. Your payments get put on hold until they make a decision.

8 weeks with no payments? How did you survive financially?

It was really tough. Had to borrow money from family and use credit cards. When it finally got resolved I got all the back pay, but the stress was horrible.

How much part-time work can I do before I lose benefits completely?

It depends on your weekly benefit amount, but generally you can earn up to about 1.5 times your weekly benefit before you lose all benefits for that week. Check the Washington ESD website for the exact calculations.

Oh great, something else to worry about. Should I have taxes withheld or just pay at the end of the year?

Most people choose to have taxes withheld so they don't get hit with a big tax bill later. You can change this setting in your Washington ESD account.

Thanks everyone! This has been super helpful. I feel much more confident about navigating the system now.

Glad we could help! Don't hesitate to ask if you run into any issues. The unemployment system can be confusing but there are people here who've been through it all.

I'll definitely keep that in mind if I run into any problems. Hopefully I won't need it!

Hope you don't either, but it's good to know the option exists if you need it.