How does unemployment payments work in Washington - confused about the whole process

Thanks! So I don't automatically get money right away? How long does it take to get approved?

No, it's not automatic. Processing usually takes 2-3 weeks if there are no issues. Sometimes claims go into adjudication if they need to verify information with your employer, which can add several more weeks.

Oh wow, I didn't know it was every single week. What happens if I forget one week?

You can sometimes file a late claim but it's a hassle. Set a reminder on your phone - weekly claims are due by midnight on Saturday for the previous week.

I learned this the hard way. Missed one week early on and it took forever to get that payment sorted out.

3 contacts per week? What counts as a job search contact?

Applying for jobs, contacting employers directly, attending job fairs, networking events. Keep detailed records with dates, company names, and what you did. The WorkSourceWA website has tools to help track this.

Really? How does that work exactly? I was worried I'd be stuck on hold forever if I had questions.

They basically handle the calling for you and connect you when an agent is available. Much better than hitting redial for hours. The video explains it better than I can.

I was skeptical at first but honestly anything is better than the nightmare of trying to reach Washington ESD during peak hours. Will check this out.

$999 max? That seems like a lot. I was making about $4,200 a month, what would I probably get?

Roughly around $650-700 per week probably, but it depends on your exact earnings pattern. The formula is a bit complex but you'll see the calculation when you file.

Adjudication can take 4-6 weeks unfortunately. It's when they need to verify something with your employer or investigate a potential issue with your claim.

Six weeks?! How am I supposed to pay rent? This is ridiculous.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - when you're stuck in adjudication, being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD makes a huge difference in understanding what's holding up your claim.

Oh no, I hadn't even thought about taxes. Should I have them withheld or pay later?

I'd recommend having them withheld unless you're really good at saving money. It's 10% federal tax withholding option when you file your weekly claims.

That's good to know! I was laid off last Thursday, so I should file this week?

Yes, file your initial claim right away. You can't backdate claims, so the sooner you file, the sooner your benefit year starts.

I worked at the same place for 3 years, so that should be easy. What if I had a side job though?

Include all employment, even part-time or temporary work. They use all your wages to calculate your benefit amount, so more wages reported could mean higher benefits.

Regular unemployment insurance is up to 26 weeks in Washington. The extended benefits from COVID ended in 2021. There might be extended benefits during high unemployment periods, but we're not in that situation right now.

Thanks for clarifying! So 26 weeks maximum unless something changes.

Standby is for temporary layoffs when you expect to return to the same employer within a specific timeframe. You don't have to do job searches in standby status, but you have to be available to return to work immediately if called back.

Ah okay, that doesn't apply to me then. My layoff is permanent.

Good to know about the fees. I'll definitely set up direct deposit then.

yeah the debit card fees add up quick if you're not careful about where you use it

That's actually really helpful to know. I might pick up some freelance work while I'm looking for a full-time job.

Just make sure to report it accurately. They cross-check with employers and tax records, so being honest is crucial.

Screenshots are a good idea. I'm already worried about something going wrong with my claim.

This is another reason why having access to an actual person at Washington ESD through something like Claimyr is so valuable - technical issues are much easier to resolve when you can actually talk to someone.

How will I know if my claim is in adjudication?

You'll see it in your online account under claim status. It will say something like 'adjudication in progress' and you won't receive payments until it's resolved.

So I should start filing weekly claims right away, before my initial claim is even approved?

Yes, you file weekly claims for every week you're unemployed, starting with the week you file your initial claim. If your claim is approved, you'll get paid for all the weeks you filed.

What happens if you get audited and your job search log isn't good enough?

They can disqualify you from benefits and potentially make you pay back what you've already received. It's not worth the risk - just keep good records from day one.

Good to know about the appeal process. Hopefully I won't need it, but it's reassuring to know there's recourse if something goes wrong.

Most people never need to appeal, but it's important to know your rights. The appeal process is pretty straightforward if you ever need it.

Glad we could help! Remember to file that weekly claim every week and keep good job search records. You've got this!

Thank you all so much! This was exactly what I needed to understand how everything works.