How long before I can claim unemployment benefits in Washington?

You can file your initial claim right away - don't wait! Washington ESD recommends filing during your first week of unemployment. The sooner you file, the sooner your benefit year starts. There's no waiting week anymore in Washington state, they eliminated that during COVID.

just file online at esd.wa.gov asap, dont wait around like i did

File immediately but be prepared for potential delays in processing. I filed three weeks ago and I'm still waiting for my claim to get through adjudication. The system is backed up and getting through to someone at Washington ESD by phone is nearly impossible with their call volume.

The key thing is filing during your first week unemployed. Even if there are processing delays, your benefit start date is based on when you filed, not when it gets approved. So file TODAY if you haven't already.

Wait I thought you had to be unemployed for 30 days first? Or is that just for certain types of benefits?

Update: I filed my claim online this morning and it went through! Says I need to file weekly claims starting next week. How does that process work?

Been filing weekly claims for 2 months now. Set a reminder on your phone for Sunday mornings - if you miss the deadline you can lose that week's benefits. The system is pretty strict about timing.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A MESS!! I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for WEEKS about my claim status and nobody ever picks up the phone. It's ridiculous how they expect us to navigate this bureaucratic nightmare.

Just wanted to say good for you for filing right away. I made the mistake of waiting because I thought I might find work quickly. Ended up unemployed for 3 months and lost those first few weeks of benefits.

One thing to keep in mind - your first payment might take 2-3 weeks after filing even if everything goes smoothly. Plan your finances accordingly. The system needs time to verify your employment history and wage records.

make sure you keep all your termination paperwork handy. sometimes Washington ESD asks for proof of why you lost your job especially if the employer contests your claim

Pro tip: screenshot or print your confirmation page after filing. I've had friends whose claims got 'lost' in the system and having that confirmation number helped them track it down.

Been unemployed before and the key is staying organized. Keep a folder with all your unemployment paperwork, job search logs, and correspondence with Washington ESD. Makes everything easier if issues come up.

Honestly the Washington ESD website is pretty user-friendly compared to other states I've dealt with. The hardest part is just getting someone on the phone when you have questions. That's where services like Claimyr really help - they handle the phone maze for you.

Don't stress too much about the process. Thousands of people file claims every week and most go through without major problems. Just follow the instructions, file your weekly claims on time, and keep looking for work. You've got this!