How long do I have to wait to file Washington ESD unemployment after job loss?

You can file your initial claim immediately - there's no waiting period to FILE the claim itself. The waiting week happens after you file, not before. Go to esd.wa.gov and start your application today. The sooner you file, the sooner your claim gets processed.

There's a one-week waiting period for benefits, but that starts AFTER you file your claim. You should file your initial application as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. The waiting week is unpaid, but you still need to file your weekly claim during that week to establish your claim.

I had a similar situation last month and couldn't get through to Washington ESD by phone to ask questions. Super frustrating when you're stressed about money. I ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual ESD agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made the whole process way less stressful.

File immediately but make sure you have all your employment info ready - SSN, employer info for the last 18 months, dates of employment, reason for separation. The system will ask for all this stuff and if you don't have it ready you might time out.

The Washington ESD website says you can file your claim on the same day you become unemployed or the day after. There's no benefit to waiting - your benefit year starts when you file, not when you lost your job.

I'm confused about something - do you file the initial claim AND the first weekly claim on the same day, or are those separate things?

File today if possible. Fridays and Mondays are usually the worst days to try to access the website because everyone's trying to file their weekly claims. Might have better luck on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

Been through this process three times unfortunately lol. You can file immediately but just know that your first payment won't come for about 3-4 weeks minimum due to processing time plus the waiting week. Plan accordingly if you're tight on money.

Make sure you're actually eligible before filing. You need to have worked a certain amount in your base period and meet other requirements. The Washington ESD website has an eligibility checker tool that can help.

Pro tip: when you do file, keep copies of everything and write down your confirmation numbers. The system can be glitchy and you might need those numbers later if something goes wrong.

If you run into problems with the online system or need to talk to someone, don't waste days trying to call the regular number. I used Claimyr to get through and it was so much faster than sitting on hold forever. Worth checking out if you get stuck.

DON'T WAIT! File as soon as you can. I waited a few days thinking I needed to 'cool off' or something and it was just wasted time. The Washington ESD system doesn't care about your feelings, it cares about dates and deadlines.

Also remember that if you do any work at all (even like a one-day gig) you need to report it on your weekly claims. Some people think you can't work at all while collecting unemployment but that's not true - you just have to report it.

The whole process is pretty straightforward once you get started. Just don't overthink it - file the initial claim, do your weekly claims, and look for work. Keep records of everything and you'll be fine.

One more thing - make sure you register with WorkSource WA for the job search requirement. You'll need to do that anyway and it's better to get it done early rather than scrambling later.

I had to use Claimyr twice during my unemployment because I kept running into issues that needed clarification from an actual person. Their system really works - saved me probably 20+ hours of calling and getting nowhere. Definitely recommend it if you hit any snags.