How long after unemployment can you file - Washington ESD timing requirements?

Thank you! Do I need to provide documentation for why I waited so long to file?

They might ask during the application process, but 6 weeks isn't that unusual. Many people wait thinking they'll find work quickly.

Did they give you benefits for all the weeks you were unemployed or just from when you filed?

They backdated it to my actual separation date minus the one week waiting period. Had to do phone verification though which took forever to get through.

Getting through to Washington ESD by phone is impossible lately. I tried calling for weeks about my backdating request. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that calls for you and gets you connected to an actual agent. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

There's no 30-day deadline for initial filing. You're thinking of the deadline for appealing a decision, which is 30 days. You can definitely still file after 3 months, but you'll need to request backdating and explain the delay.

omg I could have been getting benefits this whole time??? I'm so mad at myself right now

Don't beat yourself up - tons of people don't know the rules. File today and request backdating. The worst they can say is no, but you'll likely get approved for at least some of those weeks.

Good job getting it filed! The review process usually takes 1-2 weeks for backdating requests. Make sure you continue filing your weekly claims even while it's under review.

Yes definitely keep filing weekly claims! I made the mistake of not filing while waiting for my backdating decision and it created more complications.

What counts as a 'good reason' though? I waited because I was getting severance pay and thought I couldn't file until it ran out.

That's actually a common misconception and would probably be accepted as a valid reason. You can often receive unemployment while getting severance, depending on how it's structured.

The phone system is brutal. I wasted hours trying to get through before discovering Claimyr. Now I just use that service whenever I need to talk to someone at Washington ESD. Worth every penny to avoid the phone tree nightmare.

Never heard of that service but honestly might be worth it. I've been trying to reach them for two weeks about my claim status.

That's still better than nothing! I was expecting to get zero benefits at this point.

The waiting period is such BS. Other states don't have that anymore but Washington still does. Every week counts when you're unemployed.

The backdating timeline is the same regardless of separation type - up to one year. However, the reason for separation affects your eligibility for benefits overall. Laid off is usually straightforward, fired depends on the reason, and quit requires good cause.

Got it, thanks. I was laid off so should be fine on that front.

This is such good advice. I always tell people to file immediately because there's no downside to filing early but lots of downsides to filing late.

Yep, learned this the hard way too. Pride kept me from filing for months thinking I'd find something quickly. Should have swallowed my pride and filed day one.

Thanks for the heads up! I have my termination letter and final pay stub saved. Anything else I should gather?

That should cover it. Sometimes they want your work search log if you were looking for work during the gap, but that's not always required for backdating.

If you need to talk to someone about what documentation they need, that Claimyr service mentioned earlier is really helpful. They can get you connected to an agent who can tell you exactly what Washington ESD needs for your specific situation.