How many waiting weeks for unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

That's a relief! So I don't have to wait an extra week without any income?

Correct, no waiting week in Washington state. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time.

3 weeks?? What kind of verification issue did you have?

they wanted to verify my identity or something, had to send in documents and wait for them to process it

Never heard of this service before. Is it legitimate? I'm nervous about giving my info to third parties.

I was skeptical too but desperate after getting disconnected from ESD 15 times in one day. It worked perfectly and I finally got my adjudication issue resolved.

Interesting, might have to try this if my claim gets stuck in adjudication again.

I was laid off due to company downsizing, so I should be good on that front.

Layoffs typically qualify for benefits without disqualification periods, assuming you meet the base period earnings requirements.

You might be thinking of the processing time or a disqualification period. The actual waiting week requirement was eliminated in 2019.

Maybe I'm confusing it with my friend who lives in Oregon or something. Thanks for clarifying!

Different states have different rules - some still have waiting weeks but Washington doesn't.

How many job contacts do I need per week?

its 3 job search activities per week, can be applications, interviews, networking events, etc

How did you find out it was in adjudication? Did they notify you?

It shows up in your eServices account under claim status. You can also call to check but good luck getting through.

That's where services like Claimyr come in handy for actually reaching someone at ESD.

Absolutely, one week can make the difference between making rent or not.

Exactly why the policy change was so important. Washington was one of the better states for recognizing this.

Good point, I'll make sure to file starting from week one.

Yeah, consistency is key with the weekly claims. Miss one and it can mess up your whole benefit year.

The waiting week elimination applies to regular UI benefits. Standby has its own rules since it's for temporary layoffs with expected recall dates.

Thanks, I wasn't sure if standby followed the same rules as regular unemployment.

Payments typically process within 2-3 business days after you file your weekly claim, assuming there are no issues.

maybe i should check if my claim is actually approved then, thought it went through automatically

Definitely check your claim status in eServices. If you can't get through to ESD by phone, Claimyr might help you reach an agent to verify everything is processed correctly.

That's reassuring to hear. This whole process is stressful enough without extra complications.

Totally understand the stress. Just stay on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements and you should be fine.

Good reminder, I'll double-check that information right now.

Yeah, learned that lesson the hard way. Also make sure your address is current for any mail they might send.

You can only receive benefits from the Sunday of the week you filed your claim, not for previous weeks of unemployment. That's why it's important to file as soon as you become unemployed.

Ugh, wish I had known that sooner. Lost out on 2 weeks of benefits because I waited to file.

That's good to know for future reference, hopefully I won't need to file again anytime soon.

Hopefully not, but it's useful information to have just in case your employment situation changes again.

Workers' comp to unemployment transitions can be complex. You might want to speak directly with an ESD representative about your specific situation.

Yeah, probably need to call them. Might try that Claimyr service someone mentioned if I can't get through the normal way.

You're welcome! Just remember to keep filing those weekly claims even if your payment seems delayed.

Will do, and I'll make sure to keep up with the job search requirements too.

Appreciated! It's good to know there are options if I run into problems.

Absolutely. The unemployment system can be frustrating but there are ways to navigate it successfully.