How does unemployment work in Washington - completely lost and need help understanding the basics

First, take a deep breath - you've got this! The Washington ESD unemployment process is actually pretty straightforward once you understand the steps. You need to file your initial claim as soon as possible after losing your job. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, employment history for the last 18 months including dates and wages, and your reason for separation. The basic process is: 1) File initial claim online 2) Wait for determination 3) File weekly claims every week 4) Meet job search requirements 5) Receive benefits if approved. Your weekly benefit amount is based on your past wages, typically around 60-70% of your average weekly wage up to the state maximum.

The job search requirement is 3 job search activities per week in Washington. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or taking skills training. You need to keep a log of all your job search activities because Washington ESD can audit you at any time. Make sure you understand what counts as a valid job search activity - just browsing job sites doesn't count, you actually have to apply or make contact.

Just want to mention that if you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD about your claim, good luck getting through on the phone. I've been trying to call for weeks about an issue with my claim and can never get through. The hold times are insane and they often just hang up on you.

One thing to be prepared for is that your claim might go into adjudication, especially if there's any question about why you left your job. This means Washington ESD needs to investigate before they can approve your benefits. It can take several weeks and there's not much you can do except wait and keep filing your weekly claims.

don't forget you have to report any income you earn while collecting unemployment, even small amounts from side gigs or part time work. washington esd will reduce your benefits dollar for dollar after you earn more than a certain amount each week

The actual dollar amount you can earn before benefit reduction changes periodically, but it's roughly 1.5 times your weekly benefit amount. So if your weekly benefit is $400, you could earn up to about $600 before they start reducing your unemployment payment. Always report all income honestly - getting caught hiding income can result in overpayment penalties and disqualification.

The whole system is a nightmare honestly. I've been dealing with Washington ESD for months and they keep asking for the same documents over and over. The online system crashes constantly and when you finally get someone on the phone they give you different information than the last person you talked to.

For the original poster, here's what I wish someone had told me when I first filed: Keep copies of EVERYTHING. Every document you submit, every weekly claim you file, every job you apply to. Screenshot your weekly claim confirmations. If something goes wrong later, you'll need proof of what you submitted and when.

I just want to add that the waiting period can be really stressful. Even if everything goes smoothly, it usually takes 2-3 weeks from when you file to when you receive your first payment. Make sure you have some savings or a plan to cover expenses during that time.

Does anyone know if you can collect unemployment if you were working part-time when you got laid off? I was only working 25 hours a week when they let me go.

One more tip - if you're having trouble with your claim or need to speak with someone urgently, I've heard good things about using Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD. My friend used them when her claim was stuck and they got her connected to an agent who resolved her issue the same day.

The Washington ESD website has a lot of good information if you can navigate it. Look for the UI Benefits Handbook - it explains everything in detail. Also check out WorkSourceWA.com for job search resources since you'll need to do those 3 activities per week anyway.

just a heads up that if you voluntarily quit your job you probably wont qualify for unemployment unless you had good cause like unsafe working conditions or harassment. washington esd is pretty strict about this

The process seems overwhelming at first but once you get into the routine of filing weekly claims it becomes pretty automatic. The hardest part is usually the initial setup and waiting for approval. After that, it's just a matter of filing your weekly claim every Sunday and doing your job search activities.

If you do run into problems with your claim, don't panic. A lot of issues can be resolved by submitting additional documentation or clarifying information. The important thing is to keep filing your weekly claims even if there's an issue being resolved.

Washington ESD also has an app that makes filing weekly claims easier than using the website. It's called WAState Mobile and you can download it from the app store. Way more convenient than logging into the website every week.

Since we're talking about getting help with Washington ESD issues, I should mention that Claimyr was a lifesaver for me when I couldn't get through to resolve an adjudication problem. If anyone is struggling with phone access, it's definitely worth looking into. They have a demo video that shows exactly how it works.

To wrap up for the original poster - you're going to be fine! The Washington ESD system works, it's just bureaucratic and slow. File your initial claim ASAP, keep detailed records, do your job search activities, and file your weekly claims religiously. Most people get through the process without major issues.