How long after layoff can I file for Washington ESD unemployment - timing questions
Got laid off from my manufacturing job last Tuesday due to company downsizing. I've been putting off filing for unemployment because I wasn't sure about the timing rules. Can I file right away or do I need to wait a certain period? Also heard something about a waiting week - does that mean I can't get benefits for the first week even if I file immediately? Really confused about the whole process and could use some guidance on when exactly I should submit my initial claim through the Washington ESD website.
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Clarissa Flair
You can file your initial claim immediately after being laid off. There's no waiting period to submit your application - in fact, you should file as soon as possible because benefits can only be backdated for a limited time. The waiting week you mentioned was eliminated in Washington a few years ago, so you can potentially receive benefits starting from your first week of unemployment if you meet all the eligibility requirements.
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Eve Freeman
•That's a relief! I was worried I'd missed some deadline. Do I need any specific paperwork from my employer before I can file?
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Clarissa Flair
•You'll need your employer's information and your last day of work, but you don't need to wait for any paperwork from them to file your initial claim.
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Caden Turner
The sooner you file the better. I made the mistake of waiting two weeks after my layoff thinking I needed to 'settle in' first or something. Big mistake - those are two weeks of potential benefits I lost forever. Washington ESD won't backdate your claim to before you actually file, so time really matters here.
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McKenzie Shade
•Exactly this! I waited almost a month after my layoff because I thought I might find work quickly. When that didn't happen and I finally filed, I couldn't get those weeks back.
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Harmony Love
I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for three days straight to ask about my timing too. The phone lines are impossible! Does anyone have tips for actually reaching a human being there? I keep getting disconnected after waiting on hold for hours.
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Rudy Cenizo
•Have you tried using Claimyr? I found out about it from another forum and it's been a game changer. It's at claimyr.com and basically helps you get through to Washington ESD agents without the endless hold times. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration when I needed to talk to someone about my claim status.
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Harmony Love
•Never heard of that but I'm desperate at this point. Anything has to be better than redialing 500 times a day!
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Natalie Khan
wait so there's no waiting week anymore? i thought you had to wait a week before getting any money
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Clarissa Flair
•Correct - Washington eliminated the waiting week requirement. You can potentially receive benefits starting from your first eligible week of unemployment.
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Daryl Bright
•Yeah that changed a while back. Used to be you'd file and then have to wait a week before any payments, but not anymore.
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Sienna Gomez
File immediately but be prepared for the adjudication process if there are any questions about your separation. Even with a straightforward layoff, sometimes Washington ESD needs to verify details with your employer. That can add weeks to the process unfortunately.
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Eve Freeman
•What kind of things trigger adjudication? My layoff was definitely not my fault - the whole department got eliminated.
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Sienna Gomez
•Sometimes it's random, sometimes it's if there are any questions about the circumstances. Mass layoffs usually go smoother but you never know what might flag their system.
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McKenzie Shade
The key thing is filing your weekly claims on time once you get your initial claim processed. You have to do those every week to keep your benefits active, even if your initial claim is still under review.
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Kirsuktow DarkBlade
•Yes! And make sure you're doing your job search activities right from the start. Don't wait until your claim is approved to start looking for work.
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Eve Freeman
•How many jobs do I need to apply to each week? I keep seeing different numbers.
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Kirsuktow DarkBlade
•It's three job search activities per week in Washington. Can be applications, networking, interviews, etc. Keep detailed records.
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Abigail bergen
Just went through this myself last month. Filed the day after my layoff and had my first payment within two weeks. The online system at secure.esd.wa.gov is pretty straightforward once you get started.
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Ahooker-Equator
•Two weeks is pretty fast! Mine took almost a month but that was because they had to verify some employment dates.
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Anderson Prospero
Don't forget you'll need to register with WorkSource too as part of the process. It's not optional - they require it for most unemployment claims.
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Eve Freeman
•Is that something I do at the same time as filing my claim or separately?
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Anderson Prospero
•You can do it separately but they'll tell you about the requirement when you file. Better to get it done early.
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Tyrone Hill
THE SYSTEM IS SO BROKEN! I filed immediately after my layoff six weeks ago and I'm still waiting for my first payment. Meanwhile bills are piling up and I can't get anyone at Washington ESD to tell me what's going on with my claim. This is ridiculous!
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Toot-n-Mighty
•Have you tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier? Might be worth it if you've been waiting that long and can't get through on your own.
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Tyrone Hill
•At this point I'm willing to try anything. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Lena Kowalski
Pro tip: when you file, make sure all your employer information is exactly correct. Even small errors can cause delays or require adjudication. Double-check everything before submitting.
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DeShawn Washington
•This is so important! I had the wrong zip code for one of my employers and it held up my claim for three weeks.
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Mei-Ling Chen
I'm confused about something - do you file right away even if you got severance pay? My company gave me two weeks severance and I'm not sure if that affects when I can file.
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Clarissa Flair
•You should still file right away. Severance might affect when your benefits start, but you want to get your claim in the system. Washington ESD will sort out how the severance impacts your benefit timing.
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Mei-Ling Chen
•Good to know, thanks! I was worried filing too early might mess something up.
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Sofía Rodríguez
Another thing to consider - if you're thinking about taking any part-time work while looking for full-time, you can still potentially get partial benefits. But report all earnings when you do your weekly claims.
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Aiden O'Connor
•Yeah, don't try to hide any income. They'll find out eventually and then you'll have overpayment issues to deal with.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
File now, figure out the details later. Seriously. I see so many people overthinking this and missing out on weeks of benefits because they're waiting for the 'perfect' time to file. There is no perfect time - just file as soon as you're unemployed.
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Eve Freeman
•You're right, I'm definitely overthinking this. Going to file today. Thanks everyone for the advice!
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Jamal Brown
One more thing - keep all your layoff paperwork from your employer. Sometimes Washington ESD wants to see documentation about your separation, especially if there are any questions about whether it was voluntary or involuntary.
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Fatima Al-Rashid
•Yes! And if you don't have formal paperwork, try to get something in writing from HR or your manager confirming the layoff details.
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Giovanni Rossi
The Washington ESD website has all this information too, but honestly their site can be confusing to navigate. If you're comfortable with the basics from this thread, just go ahead and start the filing process online.
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Aaliyah Jackson
•Agreed, their website isn't the most user-friendly but the actual filing process is pretty straightforward once you start.
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LongPeri
Just wanted to add my experience - I was in a similar situation with a manufacturing layoff last year. Filed my claim the day after my last day of work and it was definitely the right call. One thing I wish someone had told me is to save screenshots of your application confirmation and any reference numbers they give you. The system can be glitchy sometimes and having that info saved me when I had to call later. Also, don't stress too much about having every single detail perfect when you file - you can always update information if needed, but you can't get back those lost weeks if you wait too long. Good luck with everything!
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