How long after losing a job can you apply for unemployment in Washington state?

You should apply immediately! There's no waiting period to file your initial claim with Washington ESD. In fact, you can file your claim the same day you lose your job or even the day after. The sooner you file, the sooner your claim can be processed. Your benefit year starts the Sunday of the week you file, so don't delay.

File ASAP but be prepared for the job search requirements to kick in immediately. Washington ESD requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week starting with your first weekly claim. You'll need to keep a detailed log of all your job search activities including employer names, dates, and methods of contact.

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I first filed last year. The phone lines are constantly busy and their online system crashed on me twice. If you run into issues trying to file or need to talk to someone about your claim, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

APPLY TODAY! I cannot stress this enough. Every day you wait is potentially money lost. The system is designed to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, and you qualify immediately upon separation from employment. Don't overthink it.

wait so there's no waiting week anymore? I thought you had to wait a week before getting benefits

Just make sure you have all your employment information ready when you file - dates of employment, employer contact info, reason for separation, etc. The more accurate information you provide upfront, the less likely your claim will get stuck in adjudication.

Don't forget you'll need to file weekly claims every week to actually receive benefits. Filing the initial claim is just the first step - you have to keep certifying that you're still unemployed and looking for work.

I've been on unemployment twice and both times I filed within 24 hours of losing my job. The key is to get that initial claim in the system as soon as possible. Even if there are issues to resolve later, at least your claim date is established.

Something to keep in mind - if you were laid off, make sure your employer coded it correctly. Sometimes they'll put down that you quit when you were actually laid off, which can complicate your claim. Double check what they submitted to Washington ESD.

Also remember that you can work part-time while on unemployment and still receive partial benefits. Don't think you have to be completely unemployed to qualify. Washington has pretty generous partial benefit rules.

The Washington ESD website can be confusing for first-time filers. Take your time filling out the application and read everything carefully. If you make mistakes on the initial claim, it can delay your benefits while they sort it out.

If you run into technical issues with the website or need help understanding your claim status, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier is actually pretty helpful. I used it when my claim got stuck and couldn't get through on the phone. Worth checking out if you hit any roadblocks.

File today, file today, file today! Cannot emphasize this enough. I work in HR and see people delay filing all the time thinking they need to wait or that they should find another job first. You earned these benefits through your payroll taxes - use them!

One more thing - start keeping track of all your job search activities from day one. Use a spreadsheet or notebook to log every application, networking event, job fair, etc. Washington ESD can audit your job search log at any time.

Good luck with your claim! The whole process seems overwhelming at first but it's pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. The hardest part is usually just getting through the initial application.

Just want to echo what others have said about filing immediately. I delayed filing for a week because I thought I might get called back to work, but that callback never came. Lost a week of benefits for nothing. File now, you can always stop claiming if you find work.

For anyone else reading this thread - remember that if you have issues reaching Washington ESD by phone, services like Claimyr can help you get through to an actual person instead of wasting hours on busy signals. Sometimes you really need to talk to someone to resolve claim issues.

Last piece of advice - set up direct deposit when you file your claim. Paper checks take forever and can get lost in the mail. Direct deposit is much faster and more reliable.

Just wanted to add - if you're worried about the job search requirements, don't let that delay your filing! You can start with simple things like updating your resume, browsing job boards, or reaching out to former colleagues. Even attending virtual job fairs or career workshops counts toward your weekly search activities. The important thing is to document everything you do. I found that once I got into a routine, meeting the 3 weekly contacts was actually pretty easy and helped keep me motivated during my job search.