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

Thanks! Do you know how much I might get? I was making about $4200 a month in construction.

Your weekly benefit amount depends on your earnings during your base period. With your income level, you could potentially get around $800-900 per week, but Washington ESD will calculate the exact amount based on your wage history.

Thank you! So I apply online and then what happens? Do they automatically approve me or is there a waiting period?

After you file, Washington ESD reviews your claim. If everything looks good, you'll get approved and can start filing weekly claims. If there are issues, your claim might go into adjudication which can take several weeks.

What kind of job search activities? Do I have to prove I'm looking?

Yes, you need to keep a job search log with details of your activities. This includes applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking, even taking online training courses. Washington ESD can audit your job search activities.

I got audited last year and they wanted to see everything - job applications, interview records, even emails I sent to potential employers.

Thanks! So I apply at the Washington ESD website? Is that esd.wa.gov or something different?

Yes, it's esd.wa.gov - you'll need to create a SecureAccess Washington account first if you don't have one.

What exactly counts as a job contact? Just applying online or do I need to talk to someone?

Job contacts can include online applications, talking to employers, networking events, or visiting WorkSource offices. You need to keep detailed records with dates, employer names, and what type of contact you made.

What kind of log? Is there a specific format they want?

they have a job search log form on the ESD website you can download, or you can make your own as long as it has all the required info

I had the same problem with phone calls until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - there's even a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

Never heard of that but definitely would have used it during my adjudication nightmare. How does it work exactly?

They basically handle the calling process for you and connect you when an agent is available. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting busy signals all day.

That's reassuring. I worked for the same company for 3 years before the layoff.

With 3 years of steady work you should be fine. Just make sure when you file your claim you select 'lack of work' or 'layoff' as your reason for separation.

That sounds really helpful! I'm worried about getting stuck if I have problems with my claim. How does Claimyr work exactly?

Basically they handle the calling and waiting on hold for you, then connect you when they get a real person on the line. Saved me so much frustration trying to reach Washington ESD myself.

Interesting, so it helps you get through to an actual person at Washington ESD? How does that work exactly?

Yeah it basically handles the waiting and calling for you so you don't have to sit on hold for hours. Really useful when you need to talk to someone about claim issues.

I've heard of services like that but wasn't sure if they were legit. Good to know it actually worked for someone.

Is WorkSource part of Washington ESD?

They work together but WorkSource is separate. Think of Washington ESD as handling the money side and WorkSource as handling the job search support side.

You'll probably get referred to WorkSource services as part of your unemployment claim. It's actually helpful - they have connections with employers and can notify you about job openings.

When do you file the weekly claims? Is there a specific day?

You can file starting Sunday morning for the previous week. Don't wait too long though, I think you only have until the following Saturday.

Did you get approved right away or did it take time?

mine took about a week but some people wait longer if they have issues

Good to know. Should I have them take taxes out?

I would. It's only 10% federal tax withholding but saves you from owing a big chunk at tax time. Washington state doesn't have income tax so you don't worry about that.

Two to three weeks? That's going to be tight with my rent coming up.

Yeah the timing is rough. I had to borrow money from family to cover my first month. The good news is once payments start they're pretty reliable.

If you're really struggling, look into local food banks and utility assistance programs. Many areas have emergency rent assistance too.

I'll file today then. Is there a best time of day to apply online?

Early morning or late evening usually works best. The Washington ESD website can get slow during peak hours.

How do they audit the job search log? Do they actually call the employers?

They can and sometimes do verify your contacts. That's why it's so important to be truthful and keep detailed records. Don't just make stuff up.

Oh wow, what happens if you work just a few hours? Do you lose the whole week's benefits?

no you can work part time and still get partial benefits, they just reduce your payment based on what you earned. but you HAVE to report it honestly

Exactly right. Washington has a partial unemployment program so working a little doesn't disqualify you completely, just reduces the benefit amount.

Several people have mentioned Claimyr now. Might be worth bookmarking just in case.

I was skeptical at first but honestly it works. Better than calling 50 times a day trying to get through.

I was making about $15/hour working 35 hours a week. Any idea what I might qualify for?

With those wages you'd probably qualify for somewhere around $300-400 per week, but use the calculator to get a more accurate estimate based on your specific earnings history.

Adjudication means they're reviewing something about your claim - could be your reason for separation, work history, or eligibility. It can take several weeks unfortunately.

Several weeks?? I need these benefits to pay rent. Is there any way to speed it up?

This is exactly when something like Claimyr becomes really valuable. When you're stuck in adjudication, being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD can help clarify what's needed to resolve it faster.

What's adjudication? That sounds scary.

It's when they have to investigate something about your claim before they can approve it. Could be questions about why you left your job, wage disputes, or other issues. The problem is it takes FOREVER.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - when my claim got stuck in adjudication, I used them to actually get through to someone who could explain what was holding it up.

Good advice. I'm usually pretty disorganized with paperwork but this sounds important.

Trust me, stay organized with this stuff. I've seen people lose benefits because they couldn't prove they filed their weekly claims properly.

Generally you're expected to take 'suitable work' but the definition varies. Factors include your skills, experience, pay rate of previous job, and how long you've been unemployed. Early on you can be more selective.

I was told anything over 75% of your previous wage is considered suitable, but I'm not 100% sure on that number.

Any tips for making it smoother the first time around?

get all your documentation ready before you file - social security card, ID, pay stubs, etc. also start your job search log right away even before you file the claim

Thanks everyone for all the help. Feeling much more confident about tackling this now.

We've all been there. The unemployment system isn't perfect but it's there to help people like us get back on our feet.

Wait, they still use fax? Can't you email documents?

Some things can be uploaded through the secure messaging system on their website, but certain documents they still want faxed. It's ridiculous.

You can usually find fax services at FedEx or UPS stores if you need to send something. Most libraries have them too.

When do I file the weekly claims? Is there a specific day?

You can file your weekly claim starting Sunday morning for the previous week. Most people file on Sunday or Monday, but you have until Saturday to file for that week.

Hopefully I won't need to appeal but good to know it's an option.

You probably won't need to with a straightforward layoff, but the option is there if needed.

You can choose to have 10% federal tax withheld when you file your weekly claims, but it's optional. If you don't, you'll owe taxes on the unemployment income when you file your tax return.

Thanks, I'll definitely have them withhold taxes then. Don't want a surprise bill next April.

Oh no, I didn't think about taxes. Should I have them withheld?

It's usually a good idea to have at least 10% withheld for federal taxes so you don't get hit with a big bill at tax time.

How does that work? I might be able to pick up some shifts at another store.

they reduce your weekly benefit based on how much you earn but you can still get partial benefits if you work less than full time

That's really helpful to know! So working part-time doesn't completely disqualify me.

Exactly. The key is to always report your earnings honestly when you file your weekly claim. Trying to hide income will get you in serious trouble.

How long can you stay on unemployment? Is there a time limit?

Regular unemployment in Washington lasts up to 26 weeks, but it can be extended during high unemployment periods. Right now it's back to the standard 26 weeks.

I was definitely laid off - they said it was due to slow business and they had to cut staff. That should be fine, right?

Yes, that's a clear case of being laid off through no fault of your own. You should qualify as long as you meet the wage requirements.

Is WorkSource online or do I have to go somewhere in person?

You can register online at WorkSourceWA.com, but they might require you to attend in-person workshops or meetings depending on your situation.

Ugh, that's what I'm worried about. I can't afford to wait weeks for payments.

I had similar issues but using Claimyr really helped. When I couldn't get through to Washington ESD for 3 weeks, they got me connected to someone who actually resolved my issue in one call. Worth checking out their website.

Thanks for all the advice everyone! This is really helpful. I feel much less overwhelmed about the process now.

You're welcome! The key is to stay organized and be patient with the system. It's not perfect but it does work eventually.

Thank you, I needed to hear that. I'm going to apply tomorrow morning.

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain this. I'll definitely come back and update once I get through the process.

Perfect summary. Thanks to everyone who helped explain this. Off to file my claim now!

Good luck! Feel free to come back here if you run into any issues during the process.

How long do you have to appeal if they deny your claim?

I think it's 30 days from when they send you the determination notice. Don't wait though, appeal as soon as possible.

Good to know! I would definitely panic if I couldn't file my weekly claim.

Yeah it used to happen more during the pandemic but still occasionally occurs. Just keep trying throughout the day.

Generally you can't collect if you quit voluntarily, but there are exceptions for 'good cause' like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or significant changes to your job. You'd need to prove the good cause though.

what about if your hours got cut dramatically? like from full time to just a few hours a week?

That could qualify as 'constructive dismissal' or you might be eligible for partial unemployment benefits. Definitely worth applying and explaining the situation.

What counts as a job contact? Just applying online or do you need to call/visit places?

Online applications count, but you need to keep detailed records. They want company name, position, date, how you applied, etc.

That's pretty impressive. Was it expensive to use?

I think it was worth it considering how much time it saved me. Way better than spending my whole day redialing the same number.

That's a good point. What if you do get called back - do you just stop filing claims?

yeah once you go back to work you stop filing weekly claims. if you're called back temporarily or part time you might still qualify for partial benefits

Thanks everyone, this has been super helpful. I feel much more prepared now if I do end up needing to file for unemployment.

Good luck! Hopefully you won't need it, but at least now you know what to expect.

Is that required or just recommended?

I think it's technically required to register with WorkSource, but even if it wasn't it's a good resource to have.

Definitely keeping that in mind. Better to be overly honest than risk having to pay everything back.

Exactly. The penalties for fraud are severe, so just be straightforward about everything.