How long after losing a job can you file for unemployment with Washington ESD?
I got laid off from my warehouse job yesterday and I'm wondering if there's a waiting period before I can apply for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD. Should I file right away or do I need to wait a certain amount of time? I've never had to deal with this before and don't want to mess up the process. Also heard something about a waiting week - is that still a thing?
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Keisha Williams
You should file immediately! There's no waiting period to apply for Washington ESD unemployment benefits. The sooner you file, the sooner your claim can be processed. You can apply online at esd.wa.gov or by phone, but online is usually faster.
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NebulaNova
•Thanks! I'll get on that today then. Better to start the process early I guess.
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Paolo Conti
•yeah definitely file asap, took me 3 weeks to get my first payment last year
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Amina Diallo
File immediately but understand that Washington ESD eliminated the waiting week in 2020. You can potentially receive benefits for your first week of unemployment if you're eligible. Make sure you have your employment history ready - last 18 months of work including employer names, addresses, and dates of employment.
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NebulaNova
•Good to know about the waiting week being gone. What if I don't have all my employer addresses memorized?
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Amina Diallo
•You can look up employer addresses online or call them. Washington ESD needs accurate information to contact your previous employers for wage verification.
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Oliver Schulz
I waited 2 weeks after getting fired thinking I needed to look for work first and that was a HUGE mistake. You lose those weeks of potential benefits! File the day after your last day of work if possible.
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NebulaNova
•Oh no, so you can't get benefits for those weeks you didn't file?
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Oliver Schulz
•Nope, benefits only start from when you actually file your claim. Those 2 weeks I waited are just gone forever.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•that sucks man, same thing happened to my brother
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AstroAdventurer
If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD by phone to file your claim, I recently discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helped me connect with an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Was way easier than sitting on hold for hours.
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Javier Mendoza
•never heard of that, how much does it cost?
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AstroAdventurer
•They focus on the value of actually getting through rather than cost. Worth checking out their site for details if you're stuck trying to reach Washington ESD.
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NebulaNova
•I'll keep that in mind if I can't get through online. Hopefully the website works better than calling.
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Paolo Conti
dont wait at all!! file right away, the system is already slow enough without you giving it a head start
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Emma Wilson
•So true, Washington ESD takes forever even when you do everything right
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NebulaNova
•Yeah I'm definitely filing today after reading all this
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Keisha Williams
Also remember that you need to be able and available for work, and actively seeking employment. Washington ESD requires you to make job search contacts each week and keep a log. Start your job search immediately even while your claim is being processed.
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NebulaNova
•How many job contacts do I need to make per week?
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Keisha Williams
•It varies based on your situation, but typically 3 job search activities per week. Check your WorkSource account for your specific requirements.
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Malik Davis
•They make you prove you're looking for work? That seems like a lot of extra paperwork
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Natasha Kuznetsova
my claim got stuck in adjudication for like 6 weeks last year, even though i filed right away. sometimes washington esd just takes forever no matter what
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NebulaNova
•What's adjudication? Should I be worried about that?
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Amina Diallo
•Adjudication is when Washington ESD needs to investigate something about your claim - like if there are questions about why you left your job. Not everyone goes through it.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•yeah in my case they had to verify with my employer that i was actually laid off and not fired for cause
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Oliver Schulz
The online application at esd.wa.gov is pretty straightforward but make sure you answer all the questions accurately. Any mistakes can delay your claim processing. Take your time and double-check everything before submitting.
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NebulaNova
•Good advice, I'll be extra careful with the details
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Isabella Santos
•What happens if you make a mistake on the application?
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Oliver Schulz
•You can usually correct minor errors by calling Washington ESD, but it's better to get it right the first time to avoid delays.
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Ravi Gupta
I filed my claim the same day I got my pink slip and still had to wait 3 weeks for my first payment. The system is just slow, but definitely don't make it slower by waiting to file!
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NebulaNova
•At least you didn't lose any weeks of benefits by waiting though
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Ravi Gupta
•Exactly, every week counts when you're unemployed
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Amina Diallo
One important thing - make sure you file your weekly claims every week once your initial claim is approved, even if you haven't received your first payment yet. Missing a weekly claim can cause gaps in your benefits that are hard to fix later.
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NebulaNova
•How do I know when to start filing weekly claims?
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Amina Diallo
•Washington ESD will send you instructions and you'll get access to file weekly claims online through your SecureAccess Washington account.
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GalacticGuru
•Those weekly claims are due every Sunday, don't forget or you'll have to call to reopen your claim
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Freya Pedersen
Been through this process twice unfortunately. File immediately, be patient with the system, and don't give up if you hit roadblocks. Washington ESD eventually gets things sorted out but it takes time.
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NebulaNova
•Thanks for the encouragement. This whole situation is pretty stressful.
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Freya Pedersen
•It is stressful but you'll get through it. Focus on filing correctly and starting your job search right away.
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AstroAdventurer
If anyone runs into issues reaching Washington ESD for help with their claim, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really does work. Saved me hours of trying to get through on the phone when I had questions about my adjudication status.
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Javier Mendoza
•How long did it take them to connect you with someone?
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AstroAdventurer
•Much faster than calling directly. Check out their demo video to see how the process works.
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Omar Fawaz
•Might try this if I can't get through to ask about my job search requirements
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Chloe Anderson
the most important thing is just START THE PROCESS. dont overthink it, dont wait, just file your claim today
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NebulaNova
•You're right, I'm going to stop worrying and just do it
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Diego Vargas
•good luck! unemployment sucks but at least there's some help available
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Keisha Williams
Final tip: keep records of everything - when you filed, confirmation numbers, any correspondence from Washington ESD. You'll need this information for reference and it helps if any issues come up later.
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NebulaNova
•Great advice, I'll start a folder for all the unemployment paperwork
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Anastasia Fedorov
•Screenshots of everything too, sometimes their system glitches and you need proof of what you submitted
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StarStrider
I waited 4 days after my layoff because I was embarrassed about filing for unemployment. Wish I had filed immediately - those 4 days of benefits would have helped with groceries. Don't let pride get in the way of getting help you've earned.
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NebulaNova
•Thanks for sharing that. I was feeling a bit embarrassed too but you're right, I paid into this system.
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Sean Doyle
•unemployment insurance is exactly that - insurance you paid for through your work. no shame in using it when you need it
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