How soon can I claim unemployment benefit after job loss in Washington?
Lost my job yesterday due to company downsizing and I'm wondering how quickly I can file for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD. My last day was officially January 15th and I got my final paycheck today. Do I need to wait a certain amount of time before I can submit my initial claim? Also heard something about a waiting week but not sure what that means. Really need to get this process started ASAP since I have rent due next week.
44 comments
Join the conversation
GalaxyGuardian
You can file your initial claim right away! Don't wait - Washington ESD recommends filing your UI claim during the first week you're unemployed. The waiting week is automatically built into the system now, so you won't receive payment for your first eligible week but you still need to file that weekly claim.
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
•Thanks! So I can file today even though I just lost my job yesterday? And I still need to do the weekly claim for the waiting week even though I won't get paid?
0 coins
GalaxyGuardian
•Exactly right. File today if possible, then make sure you do your weekly claims every week even during the waiting period.
0 coins
Aisha Abdullah
Make sure you have all your employer information ready when you file - company name, address, dates of employment, reason for separation. Washington ESD will verify everything with your employer so accuracy is important.
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
•Good point, I have my final pay stub with all that info. Should I wait for any paperwork from HR or just file now?
0 coins
Aisha Abdullah
•File now, don't wait for paperwork. You can always update information later if needed.
0 coins
Ethan Wilson
The sooner you file the better honestly. I waited 3 days after I got laid off and I regretted it because every day you wait is a day you could have been in the system. Also heads up - it might take a few weeks to actually see money depending on if your claim goes into adjudication.
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
•What's adjudication? Should I be worried about that?
0 coins
Ethan Wilson
•It's just when they need to verify details about your job loss. Happens to lots of people, especially with layoffs. Can take 2-4 weeks but it's usually routine.
0 coins
Yuki Tanaka
•If you do get stuck in adjudication and need to talk to someone at Washington ESD, I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to an agent. Way better than trying to call yourself - check out claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
0 coins
Carmen Diaz
wait theres a waiting week? nobody told me about that when i filed last month. does that mean i lost a week of benefits??
0 coins
GalaxyGuardian
•The waiting week is just unpaid, it doesn't reduce your total benefit amount. You still get the same number of weeks, just the first one isn't paid.
0 coins
Carmen Diaz
•oh ok that makes sense. was worried i messed something up
0 coins
Andre Laurent
File immediately but be prepared for the Washington ESD website to be slow or crash. Peak filing times are Monday mornings and Sunday evenings when everyone's doing their weekly claims. Try filing early morning or mid-afternoon if possible.
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
•Good tip! I was planning to do it tonight but maybe I'll try tomorrow morning instead.
0 coins
AstroAce
•Yeah the site is terrible during busy times. I've had it crash on me multiple times mid-application.
0 coins
Zoe Kyriakidou
One thing to keep in mind - if you received any severance pay, that might affect when your benefits start. Washington ESD considers severance as wages which could delay your eligibility depending on how much you got.
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
•I did get a small severance package, about 2 weeks worth. Will that push back when I can start getting benefits?
0 coins
Zoe Kyriakidou
•It might. You'll need to report it when you file your claim and Washington ESD will determine how it affects your eligibility. Better to be upfront about it than have issues later.
0 coins
Jamal Brown
Also remember you'll need to start doing job searches right away. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week and you need to keep a log of everything you do.
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
•Even during the waiting week? I thought I had more time to start looking.
0 coins
Jamal Brown
•Yep, job search requirements start immediately. You can use the WorkSourceWA website to track your activities - it integrates with Washington ESD.
0 coins
Mei Zhang
Just a heads up that even though you can file right away, it usually takes about 10-14 days to get approved if everything goes smoothly. Don't panic if you don't hear anything immediately.
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
•That's actually faster than I expected. I thought it would take longer.
0 coins
Liam McConnell
•That's if everything goes smoothly though. Mine took 6 weeks because of some issue with my employer's response.
0 coins
Amara Oluwaseyi
THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! I filed 8 weeks ago and still haven't seen a penny. They keep saying 'under review' but won't tell me what they're reviewing. This is insane!!!
0 coins
CosmicCaptain
•Have you tried calling them? I know it's hard to get through but you might need to speak to someone directly.
0 coins
Amara Oluwaseyi
•I've called probably 200 times. Either busy signal or they hang up on me after 2 hours on hold.
0 coins
Yuki Tanaka
•This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. They call for you and actually get through to Washington ESD agents. Saved me weeks of trying to reach someone myself.
0 coins
Giovanni Rossi
Make sure you keep copies of everything - your initial application, confirmation numbers, any correspondence from Washington ESD. You'll need documentation if any issues come up later.
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
•Great advice, I'll screenshot everything as I go through the process.
0 coins
Fatima Al-Maktoum
since you mentioned rent being due - file today but don't count on getting money next week. even if approved quickly, payments usually don't start until after the waiting week plus processing time. might want to talk to your landlord about the situation.
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
•Yeah I figured it wouldn't be immediate but hoping it comes through soon. Thanks for the reality check though.
0 coins
Dylan Mitchell
I remember when I first filed, I was so confused about the weekly claim process. You have to file every single week even if nothing has changed in your situation. Miss a week and you lose that week's benefits permanently.
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
•So I need to file weekly claims even during the waiting week and adjudication periods?
0 coins
Dylan Mitchell
•Yes absolutely! The weekly claims keep your case active. If you stop filing them, Washington ESD assumes you're no longer unemployed.
0 coins
Sofia Gutierrez
One more thing - if you get a job offer while on unemployment, you generally have to take it if it's suitable work. Washington ESD has specific rules about what counts as suitable based on your work history and how long you've been unemployed.
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
•Good to know. I'm hoping to find something in my field but I guess I need to understand what they consider 'suitable'.
0 coins
Dmitry Petrov
The Washington ESD website has a good checklist of what you need before filing. Make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months ready.
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
•18 months? I thought it was just the most recent job.
0 coins
Dmitry Petrov
•Nope, they look at your entire base period which covers multiple quarters. You need all employers from that time frame.
0 coins
StarSurfer
honestly just file it today and figure out the details as you go. the longer you wait the more money you're potentially losing. worst case you can always correct information later if needed.
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
•You're right, I'm overthinking this. Going to file right now before I talk myself out of it.
0 coins
Ava Martinez
•That's the spirit! Better to have it in the system and working than to keep waiting.
0 coins