How long after a job can you file for unemployment - Washington ESD timing questions

Oh wow, so I should have filed two weeks ago? Am I going to lose those two weeks of benefits?

You won't lose the benefits for those weeks as long as you were unemployed and available for work. When you file, you can backdate your claim to when you actually became unemployed.

Did you have any problems getting the backdated weeks approved?

Took a few extra weeks to process but I got all the backdated payments eventually. Washington ESD just needed documentation about when I actually lost my job.

How much does that cost? I'm already tight on money since losing my job.

It was worth it for me to avoid the endless busy signals and dropped calls. Much easier than the regular Washington ESD phone system.

Never heard of this before but might try it if my claim gets stuck somewhere.

What happens if you miss a weekly claim deadline?

You lose that week's benefits permanently in most cases. Washington ESD is pretty strict about the weekly claim schedule.

The 30 day limit is for appeals if your claim gets denied. For initial filing, you have up to a year but you lose benefits for any weeks you don't claim.

Thanks for clarifying! I was getting confused about all the different deadlines.

Do I need pay stubs or just the basic employer information?

Just basic info for the initial filing - employer name, address, dates of employment, and reason for separation. Pay stubs might be needed later if they audit your claim.

So you lost 6 months of potential benefits?

Yep, learned that lesson the hard way. File as soon as you lose your job even if you think you might find work quickly.

Agreed. I see too many people stress about the perfect timing when they should just file and sort out the details later.

You're right, I'm probably overthinking this. Going to file today.

I did get two weeks severance. Will that delay my benefits?

It might push back when your benefits start depending on how much you received. The Washington ESD system will calculate it when you file.

Severance usually just shifts your benefit start date, it doesn't disqualify you completely.

What specific documents do I need to have ready?

Last employer's full business name and address, your dates of employment, supervisor's name if you have it, and reason for job separation.

This. I waited weeks thinking I needed to have everything perfect and it was just wasted time.

That's exactly what I was doing - waiting to make sure I had everything perfect. Going to file now.

How long was your claim stuck in adjudication?

Almost 6 weeks! The adjudication process can be brutal if there are any questions about your job separation.

Good to know there's a backup option if I run into problems. Hopefully my case will be straightforward.

How many jobs do you have to apply to each week?

Three job search activities per week minimum. Can be applications, networking events, job fairs, etc. Keep detailed records in your WorkSourceWA account.

And make sure you're documenting everything properly. Washington ESD can audit your job search activities at any time.

You're absolutely right. I'm going to stop overthinking and just file today. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice!

Good luck! The process isn't as scary as it seems once you get started.