How long after getting laid off can I file for unemployment in Washington?
Got laid off from my warehouse job yesterday due to company downsizing. I'm wondering how soon I can file for unemployment benefits with Washington ESD? Do I need to wait a certain amount of time or can I apply right away? Also worried about missing any deadlines that might affect my claim. This is my first time dealing with unemployment so any guidance would be helpful.
50 comments
Join the conversation
Sophia Carter
You can file immediately! Don't wait - Washington ESD recommends filing your claim as soon as possible after your last day of work. There's no waiting period to submit your initial application.
0 coins
Aaron Boston
•Thanks! Should I file online or is there a better way to do it?
0 coins
Sophia Carter
•Definitely online through the Washington ESD website. It's faster and you'll get confirmation right away.
0 coins
Chloe Zhang
File ASAP but remember there IS a one-week waiting period before you can collect benefits. So even if you file today, your first payable week won't be until next week.
0 coins
Aaron Boston
•Oh I didn't know about the waiting week. So I won't get paid for this first week even if I file today?
0 coins
Chloe Zhang
•Exactly. The waiting week is unpaid but you still need to file your weekly claim for it.
0 coins
Brandon Parker
I tried filing right after I got laid off last month and couldn't get through to Washington ESD for weeks to verify some info. Ended up using a service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual agent quickly. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
0 coins
Adriana Cohn
•Is that one of those services that charges you? Seems like you shouldn't have to pay to get through to your own state agency.
0 coins
Brandon Parker
•It does cost something but honestly worth it when you're stressed about getting your claim processed. Way better than calling 200+ times a day.
0 coins
Aaron Boston
•I'll keep that in mind if I run into issues. Hoping the online filing goes smoothly.
0 coins
Jace Caspullo
The key thing is to file within the first week after your separation. Washington ESD uses your claim filing date to determine your benefit year, so delays can impact your total benefits available.
0 coins
Melody Miles
•Wait what? I thought you had like 30 days or something to file without penalty.
0 coins
Jace Caspullo
•No, that's a common misconception. You CAN file later but you may lose potential benefit weeks. File as soon as possible after job loss.
0 coins
Nathaniel Mikhaylov
ugh the washington esd system is so confusing. i got laid off 3 weeks ago and still havent filed because i keep reading different things online about when to apply
0 coins
Sophia Carter
•You should file TODAY. You've already lost 3 weeks that could have been part of your benefit year.
0 coins
Nathaniel Mikhaylov
•crap really? i thought i had more time. filing right now
0 coins
Aaron Boston
•Don't feel bad, I almost waited too thinking I needed to job search first or something.
0 coins
Eva St. Cyr
Make sure you have all your documents ready before you start the application - SSN, driver's license, employment history for the last 18 months, and your separation notice if you have one.
0 coins
Aaron Boston
•What if I don't have the exact dates for all my previous jobs? Will that hold up my claim?
0 coins
Eva St. Cyr
•Do your best with approximate dates. Washington ESD can verify employment through their wage records. Just be as accurate as possible.
0 coins
Kristian Bishop
I filed the day after I got laid off and my claim went into adjudication for 5 weeks because they needed to verify the reason for separation. Even though I filed quickly, the wait was brutal.
0 coins
Aaron Boston
•That sounds terrible. Is there anything I can do to avoid adjudication?
0 coins
Kristian Bishop
•Not really if Washington ESD decides they need to investigate. Just make sure all your info is accurate when you file.
0 coins
Brandon Parker
•This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - they can help you reach an agent to check on adjudication status instead of waiting weeks for updates.
0 coins
Kaitlyn Otto
Pro tip: take screenshots of everything when you file your claim. Save your confirmation numbers and any emails. The system glitches sometimes and you'll want proof of when you filed.
0 coins
Aaron Boston
•Good thinking. I'll definitely do that when I file later today.
0 coins
Axel Far
•Yes! I learned this the hard way when my initial claim disappeared from their system somehow.
0 coins
Jasmine Hernandez
Just remember you'll need to start filing weekly claims right away too, even while your initial claim is being processed. Don't skip any weeks or you'll lose those benefits permanently.
0 coins
Aaron Boston
•How do I know when to file the weekly claims? Do they send me a reminder?
0 coins
Jasmine Hernandez
•You can file your weekly claim starting Sunday for the previous week. Set a reminder because Washington ESD doesn't always send notifications.
0 coins
Chloe Zhang
•The weekly claim deadline is Saturday at midnight. Miss it and you lose that week's benefits forever.
0 coins
Luis Johnson
washington esd is the worst. took them 2 months to process my claim when i got laid off from boeing. file early but dont expect quick results
0 coins
Ellie Kim
•Two months?? That's insane. Did you ever find out why it took so long?
0 coins
Luis Johnson
•they said it was because of 'high volume' but i think they just dont have enough staff
0 coins
Fiona Sand
The sooner you file, the sooner your waiting week starts. Even if there are processing delays, at least you'll have your place in line. I filed same day and got my first payment 3 weeks later.
0 coins
Aaron Boston
•3 weeks isn't too bad I guess. I'm hoping for something similar.
0 coins
Mohammad Khaled
•3 weeks is actually pretty good for Washington ESD these days
0 coins
Alina Rosenthal
Don't forget about the job search requirements! You'll need to do 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. Start tracking from your first week even if you haven't been paid yet.
0 coins
Aaron Boston
•What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs?
0 coins
Alina Rosenthal
•Applying, networking events, career fairs, informational interviews, etc. Check the Washington ESD website for the full list.
0 coins
Finnegan Gunn
•You also need to register with WorkSource Washington within 7 days of filing your claim.
0 coins
Miguel Harvey
File immediately but also start looking for work right away. The job market is tough right now and unemployment only covers part of your previous wages anyway.
0 coins
Aaron Boston
•Yeah I'm definitely planning to start job hunting tomorrow. Unemployment is just to help bridge the gap.
0 coins
Ashley Simian
•Smart approach. Unemployment is temporary assistance, not a long-term solution.
0 coins
Oliver Cheng
I wish someone had told me about Claimyr when I first filed. Spent weeks trying to get through to fix a simple issue with my claim. Their service would have saved me so much stress and probably gotten me paid faster.
0 coins
Aaron Boston
•I'm seeing a few mentions of this service. Might be worth looking into if I hit any roadblocks.
0 coins
Taylor To
•It's definitely helpful for getting through to actual humans at Washington ESD when you need answers.
0 coins
Ella Cofer
File today if possible. The Washington ESD online system is usually less busy in the early morning or late evening. Avoid peak hours if you can.
0 coins
Aaron Boston
•Thanks for the timing tip! I'll try filing this evening after dinner.
0 coins
Kevin Bell
•Good plan. The system can be slow during business hours when everyone's trying to use it.
0 coins