How long to wait to file for unemployment - Washington ESD timing questions

File immediately! There's no benefit to waiting and you could lose out on benefits. Washington ESD processes claims based on when you file, not when you became unemployed. The sooner you get your claim in, the sooner you can start receiving payments.

You should file your claim the week you become unemployed or the week after. Don't wait longer than that. The job search requirement starts after your first week of benefits, so you'll need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep records in WorkSourceWA.

I struggled with getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions about my claim timing. Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to an agent in under 10 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

DONT WAIT! I made that mistake thinking there was some cooling off period. You can file the day you lose your job. The longer you wait, the more money you lose. Washington ESD doesn't backdate claims very far.

One thing to add - make sure you have all your employment information ready when you file. You'll need dates of employment, employer addresses, and reason for separation. Having everything organized will make the process smoother.

The waiting week was eliminated in Washington a few years ago, so you can get paid for your first week if you're eligible. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week.

I'm in a similar situation but I was fired for attendance issues. Does that change when I should file? I'm worried they'll deny my claim anyway.

My claim has been in adjudication for 3 weeks now and I can't get through to anyone at Washington ESD to find out what's happening. The online portal just says 'pending' with no details.

Don't forget you'll need to be able and available for work and actively seeking employment. Keep track of all your job search activities from day one.

File online at esd.wa.gov if possible. It's faster than calling and you'll get confirmation that your application was submitted. Phone lines are always jammed.

If you're eligible for standby benefits because of a temporary layoff, the timing might be different. Check with your employer about expected return date.

been through this process multiple times unfortunately. The key is filing quickly and staying on top of your weekly claims. Miss a week and you have to explain why.

Make sure your claim gets processed before you start receiving any severance pay. Severance can affect your eligibility depending on how it's structured.

The Washington ESD website has a good checklist of what you need before filing. Worth reviewing so you don't have to stop mid-application to gather documents.

One more tip - if you're not sure about something during the application, it's better to answer honestly and let them sort it out than to guess wrong and create problems later.

For anyone else reading this thread later - the sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits. Don't overthink the timing aspect.

Just want to echo what others have said about Claimyr for anyone struggling to reach Washington ESD. I was skeptical at first but it really works when you need to talk to someone about your claim status.

Remember that Washington ESD benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them later, but don't forget about the tax implications.

Final thought - once you file, you'll get a monetary determination letter showing your weekly benefit amount and total benefits available. Keep that somewhere safe.

Good luck with your claim! Sounds like you got all the info you need. File today and start your weekly claims as soon as you're able.