How long does it take to file for unemployment with Washington ESD?

The initial application itself usually takes about 20-30 minutes if you have all your documents ready. But here's what you need to gather beforehand: your Social Security number, driver's license, employment history for the last 18 months (dates, employer names, addresses, reason for leaving), and your most recent pay stub. If you're missing any of this info, you'll spend way more time hunting it down.

took me like 45 minutes because i kept getting kicked out of the system. the washington esd website can be really slow during peak times

The filing process is straightforward but can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on your situation. If you have a complex work history or multiple employers, expect it to take longer. The system will ask for detailed information about each job you've had in the past 18 months. Also, if you're filing during peak hours (Monday mornings, end of the month), the site can be sluggish.

I spent TWO HOURS on mine because I didn't realize I needed exact dates for when I started each job. Had to dig through old emails and texts to figure out when I actually started at my last place. Pro tip: have a list of ALL your employers with start/end dates, addresses, and supervisor names ready before you even log in.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD after you file (and trust me, you probably will need to call them at some point), I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to an agent. It's at claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me literally hours of trying to call and getting busy signals.

The filing part is quick but then you wait FOREVER for them to process it. Mine took 3 weeks to get approved and start receiving payments.

Make sure you file on Sunday night or early Monday morning. That's when they process new claims for the week. I made the mistake of filing on Friday and had to wait until the following Monday for processing to even start.

The Washington ESD site walks you through everything step by step. Don't overthink it. Just answer the questions honestly and completely. The whole thing probably took me 25 minutes including uploading my ID verification.

ugh the worst part is when you think you're done but then it asks for more info about why you left your job. be prepared to write a detailed explanation if you were fired or quit

I keep seeing people mention adjudication - what exactly is that? My claim says 'pending adjudication' and I have no idea what that means or how long it takes.

Pro tip: create your eServices account before you actually need to file. You can do this ahead of time and it'll save you steps when you're ready to submit your claim.

The initial filing is just the beginning. You'll need to file weekly claims every week to keep getting paid. That's much faster though - like 5 minutes once you get used to it.

Make sure you have a quiet place to do this where you won't be interrupted. I tried to file while my kids were running around and kept making mistakes and having to start sections over.

The hardest part for me was the work search requirements section. They want to know if you're able and available to work, and there are specific criteria you need to meet. Make sure you understand what you're agreeing to.

I had issues with the identity verification part. Had to upload my driver's license photo multiple times because it kept saying the image was too blurry. Take a good clear photo in good lighting.

If you run into problems during filing, don't just give up and try again later. Call Washington ESD or use one of those services that helps you get through. I wasted two weeks trying to fix an error on my own that an agent solved in 5 minutes.

The system saved my progress automatically, which was nice. I had to step away for a phone call and when I came back everything was still there. But I'd still recommend doing it all in one sitting if possible.

Don't forget that once you file, you need to keep certifying your availability for work every week. Miss a week and you might not get paid for that period. Set up reminders on your phone or calendar.

Overall, the process isn't too bad if you're prepared. Washington ESD has actually improved their system a lot in recent years. Just take your time, read the questions carefully, and don't rush through it.

One last tip: if your claim gets denied for any reason, don't panic. You have the right to appeal and most appeals are successful if you have valid grounds. The key is to appeal quickly - I think you only have 30 days.