How does unemployment work in Washington state - complete breakdown needed

Start by filing your initial claim at esd.wa.gov. You'll need your SSN, employment history for the past 18 months, and banking info for direct deposit. Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your highest earning quarter. The maximum weekly benefit is currently around $999 but most people get between $300-600 depending on their wages.

The whole process is pretty straightforward once you get started. After you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to get paid. Each week you report if you worked, how much you earned, and if you were available for work. You also have to do job search activities - 3 per week minimum.

One thing to watch out for - sometimes your claim goes into adjudication which means they need to verify something about your employment or eligibility. This can delay your payments for weeks. If you can't get through to Washington ESD by phone to check on it, there's actually a service called Claimyr that can help you reach them. Check out claimyr.com - they have this video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

The Washington ESD phone system is absolutely terrible. I've been trying to reach them for 2 weeks about my claim status and can never get through. The automated system just hangs up on you after 30 minutes of holding.

You'll also need to register with WorkSourceWA which is the state's job search website. They sometimes require you to attend workshops or meetings there as part of your job search requirements. Don't skip this or they can stop your benefits.

Don't forget about taxes! Unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay them later. I'd recommend having them withheld so you don't get hit with a big tax bill next year.

The whole system is a mess tbh. I've been on unemployment twice and both times had major issues. First time they said I was overpaid and demanded money back. Second time my claim was in adjudication for 6 weeks with no explanation.

OP, make sure you understand the difference between being laid off vs fired. If you were fired for misconduct, you might not be eligible for benefits. But if you were laid off due to lack of work, you should be fine.

I'm going through this process right now too. Filed my claim 2 weeks ago and it's been pending ever since. Super stressful not knowing when I'll get my first payment. Has anyone else experienced long delays?

The key is to be consistent and accurate with everything. Keep detailed records of your job search activities, report all earnings even if it's just $20 from a side gig, and file your weekly claims on time every week. Missing even one weekly claim can mess up your payments.

Pro tip: set up direct deposit immediately. Getting paper checks takes forever and they can get lost in the mail. With direct deposit you usually get your money within 2-3 business days of filing your weekly claim.

Anyone know what happens if you find part-time work while on unemployment? Can you still collect benefits?

The waiting week is gone now right? I remember having to wait a week before getting any payments but I think they eliminated that.

Make sure you understand what 'able and available' means. You have to be physically able to work and available for work during normal business hours. If you're sick or on vacation, you can't claim benefits for those weeks.

I had to use that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier when my claim got stuck. Honestly was skeptical at first but it actually worked. Got connected to a Washington ESD agent within an hour and they fixed my adjudication issue right away. Would definitely recommend if you can't get through on your own.

The maximum you can collect is 26 weeks of benefits in a year, but that can be extended during high unemployment periods. Right now I think it's just the standard 26 weeks.

Don't forget about the work search requirements! You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log. They can audit you anytime and ask for proof of your job search activities.

Overall the system works but it's definitely bureaucratic and can be slow. Just be patient, follow all the rules, and keep detailed records of everything. Most people get through the process fine once they understand how it works.

One last thing - if you disagree with any decision Washington ESD makes about your claim, you have the right to appeal. Don't just accept it if you think they made a mistake. The appeals process exists for a reason.