How long do you have to claim unemployment benefits - Washington ESD deadline confusion

Oh thank god! I was so worried I had completely screwed myself by waiting. So I should file this week then?

definitely file asap! i waited 3 weeks and basically lost 3 weeks of benefits that i could have gotten

What exactly is a waiting week? Does that mean I have to wait an extra week before getting any money?

The waiting week was actually eliminated in Washington. You can receive benefits starting with your first eligible week now. Just make sure to file your weekly claims on time every week after you submit your initial application.

That's exactly what I was thinking - that I shouldn't file if I was actively looking. Good to know I was wrong about that.

This is so true! I made the same mistake thinking unemployment was only for people who had given up looking for work.

Is this legit? I've been dreading having to call Washington ESD because I heard the wait times are horrible.

Yeah it's real. Used it twice now when I had questions about my job search requirements. Way better than trying to call on your own and getting hung up on after 2 hours.

how much does this cost though? i'm unemployed so money is tight

Correct - it's up to 26 weeks of regular unemployment insurance, and your benefit year lasts 52 weeks from when you file. So timing does matter in terms of maximizing your benefits.

OK so I really need to file this week then. Thanks everyone for the push I needed!

That's a good question. Washington ESD looks at your entire work history during your 'base period' (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). So if you worked multiple jobs, they'll consider wages from all qualifying employers when calculating your benefit amount.

So it doesn't matter which specific job loss triggers you to file? They look at everything?

Right, they calculate your benefits based on all qualifying wages in your base period, not just your most recent job. The most recent job separation just needs to be qualifying (like layoff, not misconduct).

There's definitely still stigma around it. I felt weird about filing too even though I knew it was my right.

Yeah I think that was part of my hesitation too. Plus I really thought I'd find something quickly.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. When my claim got stuck in adjudication, that's how I finally got through to someone who could explain what documents they needed from me.

How long did your adjudication take once you got through to them?

About another week after I submitted the additional docs they requested. The agent was actually really helpful once I could talk to a real person.

You should receive a monetary determination letter within a week or two that shows your benefit amount and base period wages. You can also check your claim status by logging into your SecureAccess Washington account.

OK I'll check my SAW account. I was expecting like an immediate confirmation email or something.

True! Once you file your initial claim, you must file your weekly claims by midnight on Sunday for the previous week. Missing that deadline can delay or complicate your benefits.

Good point. So even though there's flexibility on when to start, once I start I need to be really consistent with the weekly filings.

exactly! and make sure you do your job search activities every week or they'll audit you

They do have an FAQ but it's written in government speak that nobody understands. This forum is honestly more helpful than their official site half the time.

Agreed! I learned more from this thread than from an hour of reading their website.

Unfortunately yes, you can't get benefits for weeks before you file your initial claim. That's why it's so important to file as soon as you become unemployed, even if you think you might find work quickly.

damn. wish someone had told me that in december. just assumed i could backdate it

Don't beat yourself up too much. A lot of people make this mistake. At least now you know for the future.

There are very limited circumstances where they might allow backdating, usually involving serious illness or other situations beyond your control. But these are exceptions and require documentation. Generally, they don't backdate claims.

Good to know. Hopefully I never need to test that exception!

That gives me hope! Sounds like if you file promptly and don't have any complications, it moves pretty quickly.

lucky you didnt get stuck in adjudication! that seems to be happening to more people lately

I think having all my documents ready and being really thorough on the application helped. I didn't want any delays.

The initial claim establishes your eligibility and benefit year. The weekly claims are you certifying that you remain eligible each specific week. They serve different purposes in the system.

Ah OK that actually makes sense when you explain it like that. Thanks!

Same here! Going to file tonight. Thanks everyone for all the helpful info.

Good for both of you! Better late than never, and now you know for any future situations.

Really? I didn't know that. I've been doing some freelance work here and there.

Yeah, you just need to report all your earnings when you file your weekly claims. They'll calculate if you're still eligible for partial benefits based on what you earned that week.

Correct - in Washington you can earn up to a certain amount before it affects your benefits, and even above that amount you might still get partial payments.

Glad this helped you too! We should both file tonight and not keep putting it off.

Ha! So true. Their site is down like every other weekend when I try to file my weekly claim.

Good tip! Bookmarking this thread now. You all have been incredibly helpful.