How long after i get laid off can i file for unemployment - Washington ESD timing?
Got laid off yesterday from my warehouse job and wondering when I should file my unemployment claim with Washington ESD. I've heard different things - some people say file right away, others say wait a week? I don't want to mess this up and delay my benefits. Also not sure if there's a deadline I need to worry about. Anyone know the actual rules for Washington state?
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Javier Morales
You should file as soon as possible after your last day of work! Washington ESD doesn't pay benefits for the week you file, so the sooner you apply the better. There's no waiting period required before filing.
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Olivia Clark
•Thanks! So I can literally file today even though I just got laid off yesterday?
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Javier Morales
•Yes exactly! The earlier you file, the earlier your benefit year starts. Just make sure you have all your employment info ready.
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Natasha Petrov
I waited 2 weeks after getting laid off thinking I needed to wait and it was a mistake. Cost me those 2 weeks of benefits since they don't backdate to before you file.
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Olivia Clark
•Oh no! Good to know, definitely filing today then.
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Connor O'Brien
•Same here, wish someone had told me to file immediately. Live and learn I guess.
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Amina Diallo
File immediately but be prepared for the phone wait times if you need to talk to someone. I spent 3 hours trying to get through to Washington ESD last month just to ask a simple question about my claim status.
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GamerGirl99
•Oh god the phone situation is terrible. I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to an agent in like 15 minutes. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration.
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Amina Diallo
•Interesting, how does that work exactly? Do they charge for it?
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GamerGirl99
•You just go to claimyr.com and they call Washington ESD for you and connect you when an agent picks up. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.
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Hiroshi Nakamura
DEFINITELY file right away!! I made the mistake of waiting because my boss said they might call me back and I lost out on 3 weeks of benefits. Washington ESD doesn't care if you 'might' get your job back.
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Olivia Clark
•Ugh that sucks! My manager said something similar about maybe bringing me back when business picks up but I'm not counting on it.
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Isabella Costa
•Even if they do call you back, you can always stop filing weekly claims if you return to work. Better safe than sorry.
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Connor O'Brien
The online application is pretty straightforward. Just have your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and bank info if you want direct deposit. Takes maybe 30 minutes to complete.
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Olivia Clark
•Do I need pay stubs or anything like that?
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Connor O'Brien
•Not for the initial application, but keep them handy in case Washington ESD requests documentation later during adjudication.
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Javier Morales
•Good point about keeping pay stubs. Also keep any termination paperwork your employer gave you.
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Malik Jenkins
Wait I thought there was like a one week waiting period? When did that change?
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Javier Morales
•Washington eliminated the waiting week a few years ago. You can get benefits starting with your first week of unemployment if you're eligible.
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Malik Jenkins
•Oh wow didn't know that! That's actually really helpful.
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Isabella Costa
Pro tip: file your claim online at secure.esd.wa.gov rather than trying to call. The phone lines are always jammed but the website usually works fine for new applications.
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Olivia Clark
•Yeah I was planning to do it online, seems way easier than dealing with phone queues.
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Freya Andersen
•The website can be slow during peak times but it's still way better than calling. I've never gotten through on the phone without waiting at least 2 hours.
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GamerGirl99
•That's exactly why I started using Claimyr when I need to actually talk to someone. Takes all the frustration out of reaching Washington ESD.
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Eduardo Silva
Just remember you have to file your weekly claims every week to keep getting benefits. Don't file your initial application and then forget about it like my brother did.
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Olivia Clark
•Good reminder! How often do I need to file those weekly claims?
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Eduardo Silva
•Every Sunday for the previous week. You'll get instructions after your initial claim is processed.
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Javier Morales
•And make sure you do the job search activities they require. That's usually 3 job search activities per week in Washington.
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Leila Haddad
been there, the whole process is honestly pretty smooth once you get started. The hardest part is just making yourself sit down and fill out the application when you're dealing with job loss stress.
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Olivia Clark
•Yeah it's definitely overwhelming right now but I know I need to just get it done.
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Leila Haddad
•You got this! The benefits really help while you're job hunting. Take care of yourself.
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Natasha Petrov
One thing to watch out for - if your claim goes into adjudication for any reason, that's when you'll definitely need to call Washington ESD. That's when those phone wait times become a real problem.
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Emma Johnson
•What triggers adjudication usually?
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Natasha Petrov
•Could be anything - if they need to verify your reason for separation, if there are questions about your work history, sometimes it seems random honestly.
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GamerGirl99
•That's another situation where Claimyr really comes in handy. When your claim is stuck in adjudication you need to talk to an actual person to get it resolved.
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Ravi Patel
File today! Seriously don't wait. I know people who waited thinking they needed to look for work first or whatever and they just lost money for no reason.
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Olivia Clark
•Definitely filing today, thanks everyone for the advice!
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Astrid Bergström
•Good luck with everything! The job market is actually not too bad right now so hopefully you'll find something soon.
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PixelPrincess
make sure you answer all the questions honestly on the application. Washington ESD will verify everything anyway so lying just causes delays
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Olivia Clark
•For sure, I don't want any complications with my claim.
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PixelPrincess
•exactly, better to be upfront about everything from the start
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Omar Farouk
The whole system moves pretty quick once you file. I got my first payment about 2 weeks after filing, which included the first week I was unemployed.
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Olivia Clark
•That's encouraging! I was worried it might take a month or something.
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Omar Farouk
•Nah as long as there are no issues with your claim it processes pretty fast. Washington ESD has gotten a lot better since the pandemic.
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Chloe Martin
•Yeah they definitely improved their systems. Still not perfect but way better than 2020.
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Diego Fernández
Don't stress too much about the application process. It's designed to be straightforward and they walk you through each step. Just take your time and read the instructions.
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Olivia Clark
•Thanks, I really appreciate all the encouragement from everyone here.
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
•This community is great for unemployment questions. Lots of people who've been through it before.
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Sean Fitzgerald
last thing - keep track of all your job applications and work search activities from day one. Washington ESD can audit your job search log and you need to have documentation.
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Olivia Clark
•Good point, I'll start a spreadsheet or something to track everything.
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Sean Fitzgerald
•WorkSourceWA website has tools for tracking job searches too if you prefer using their system.
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Javier Morales
•Yeah the WorkSource job search log is pretty convenient and Washington ESD accepts it automatically.
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