How long do you have to apply for unemployment after losing your job in Washington?

You should file as soon as possible! Washington ESD benefits are only paid from the date you file your claim, not from when you lost your job. So every day you wait is money you're losing.

There's no specific deadline but like the other person said, you can't get benefits for weeks before you file. I made this mistake and lost out on 2 weeks of payments because I thought I had time.

Just to add some specifics - you can file your initial claim online at esd.wa.gov and it takes about 30 minutes. You'll need your SSN, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months. Don't stress about having every detail perfect, you can update information later if needed.

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I needed to ask questions about my claim timing. The phone lines are always busy and it's super frustrating. I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

THE SYSTEM IS SO BROKEN!!! I've been trying to get answers about my claim for WEEKS and can never get through. Why can't they just hire more people to answer phones???

One thing to keep in mind - even though there's no deadline to file, if you wait more than a few weeks, Washington ESD might question why you delayed filing. They could potentially deny benefits if they think you weren't actively seeking work during that gap.

Just filed mine yesterday after putting it off for a week. The process was actually pretty straightforward once I started. Don't overthink it like I did!

wait i thought you had like 30 days or something? thats what my friend told me

For anyone reading this thread - the key points are: 1) File ASAP after job loss, 2) Benefits only start from filing date, 3) You can file online 24/7 at esd.wa.gov, 4) Don't wait to gather perfect documentation.

I helped my brother file his claim last month and we were both surprised how fast the online process was. He was worried it would take hours but we had it done in under 30 minutes.

Does anyone know if weekends count against you? Like if I file on Monday vs Friday, does it matter?

Just wanted to follow up on the Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier - I used them again last week when I had questions about my job search requirements and it worked great. Really worth it when you actually need to talk to someone at Washington ESD.

This whole thread is making me realize I need to stop procrastinating and file my claim. Lost my job 3 days ago and keep finding excuses to put it off.

Still can't believe how broken this system is. You shouldn't have to stress about timing and deadlines when you just lost your job. Other states make this way easier.

One more tip - make sure you have your banking info ready when you file. You'll want to set up direct deposit right away so you don't have to wait for paper checks.

Filed mine 6 months ago and still remember how anxious I was about the timing. Turns out I was overthinking it - the online process walks you through everything step by step.

Quick question - do you have to file during business hours or can you do it anytime online?

I used that Claimyr service too after seeing it mentioned here. Honestly was skeptical at first but it actually worked and saved me from hours of calling. Sometimes you gotta pay for convenience I guess.

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - FILE NOW! I waited 10 days thinking I had time and lost out on almost $400 in benefits. Don't make my mistake.

Update: Just finished filing my claim! Took about 25 minutes like everyone said. Thanks to everyone who pushed me to do it today instead of waiting. Already feeling less stressed about the whole situation.