How long until you can collect unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

Thanks! I'll start the application tonight. Do I need any specific documents ready?

Have your social security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and your employer's contact info. The system will walk you through everything else.

Wait, so I lose a whole week of benefits? That doesn't seem fair when I already lost my job through no fault of my own.

Yeah it sucks but that's how Washington ESD does it. The good news is if you qualify, you'll get benefits starting from week 2.

The waiting week applies to regular unemployment insurance. If you're eligible for other programs it might be different, but for standard UI claims there's always that one week waiting period.

What would cause it to go into adjudication? I was just laid off due to company downsizing, nothing complicated.

Layoffs are usually pretty straightforward. Adjudication happens more with terminations, quits, or if there are questions about your work history. Since you were laid off, you should be fine.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already strapped for cash.

It was worth it for me to get answers quickly instead of spending weeks trying to call. The peace of mind was huge when I was stressed about money.

Never heard of that service but honestly the phone situation with Washington ESD is ridiculous. Might be worth looking into if you can't get through.

That's actually better than I thought. I was worried it would take months.

Just make sure you file your weekly claims every week even during the waiting period. If you miss filing, it can delay everything.

How many jobs do I need to apply for each week?

It's 3 job search activities per week in Washington. Can be applications, networking, job fairs, etc. Keep detailed records of everything.

And register with WorkSource WA if you haven't already. That's a requirement for UI benefits.

That's terrifying. What happens if they don't respond for weeks?

You just have to keep trying. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with Washington ESD unfortunately.

How do I know how much I'll get? Is there a way to estimate it beforehand?

It's based on your earnings in your base period. There's a benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website that can give you an estimate.

That gives me hope. Were you able to get through to anyone on the phone during that time?

Didn't need to the first time, but the second time I had questions and used that Claimyr service someone mentioned. Worked great for getting through to an actual person.

How would I know if they contest it? And what happens then?

You'd get notified and there would be a fact-finding process. Since you were laid off and didn't do anything wrong, you should win any contest anyway.

Good idea about other assistance. I didn't think about that.

211 is a good resource to call for local assistance programs. Don't be too proud to get help when you need it.

What if I do some gig work like DoorDash while waiting? Do I have to report that too?

Yes, absolutely report all earnings. Gig work, cash jobs, everything. It might reduce your weekly benefit but it won't disqualify you completely.

Good tip. I'll make sure to check it every day.

Yeah, I've seen people wait weeks not knowing Washington ESD needed additional information from them. Stay on top of it.

Can I set that up during the initial application or do I have to wait?

You can do it during the application process. Just have your bank routing and account numbers ready.

That's encouraging! Sounds like if everything goes smoothly it's not too bad.

Right, the key is 'if everything goes smoothly.' Just be prepared for potential delays and have a backup plan for bills.

Oh man, I didn't even think about taxes. Should I have them withhold taxes?

Probably a good idea unless you want to deal with a big tax bill next year. You can set up tax withholding in your Washington ESD account.

I'm definitely keeping that in mind if I run into issues. Thanks for the recommendation.

No problem. The whole unemployment system can be overwhelming when you're already stressed about losing your job. Getting answers quickly really helps.

That's actually really good to know. I was worried I'd lose out on benefits if there were delays.

Nope, as long as you keep filing your weekly claims during the delay, you'll get paid for all eligible weeks once approved.

How long does a benefit year last?

52 weeks from when you file your initial claim. After that you'd need to file a new claim if you're still unemployed.