How soon can I file for Washington ESD unemployment after losing my job?

Thank you! I was worried I'd mess something up by filing too early. Going to start the application tonight.

This is correct - I waited a week thinking I had to and it just delayed everything. File right away.

Good to know about the final paycheck! I was wondering if that would complicate things.

What if you get severance pay though? Does that affect when you can file?

You can still file immediately even with severance. The severance will be reported during your weekly claims and may affect benefit amounts for those weeks, but it doesn't prevent you from filing the initial claim.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call myself.

That sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

It's worth it when you consider how much time you save. I was spending 3-4 hours a day trying to get through and getting nowhere. Much better than dealing with busy signals all day.

No penalty at all. The waiting week is built into the system - you file immediately and then there's a waiting week before you can receive benefits. But filing early doesn't hurt anything.

ok thanks that makes more sense. i was confused about the timing

30 minutes doesn't sound too bad. I was expecting it to be more complicated.

It's pretty straightforward until you run into issues with adjudication or verification. Then it gets complicated fast.

True, but for a basic layoff situation like the OP described, it should be smooth sailing.

How do I know when to file my first weekly claim? Is there a schedule or does Washington ESD tell you?

They'll send you information after you file your initial claim. Usually weekly claims are filed on Sunday for the previous week. You'll get notifications through your online account.

Three weeks sounds reasonable. I was worried it would take months.

3 weeks is actually pretty fast. Mine took 5 weeks because they had to verify my employment history with my previous employer.

But there's no advantage to waiting. You can always update information later if needed, and the waiting week starts from when you file. Delaying just means delaying benefits.

I suppose that's true. I just prefer to be thorough before submitting anything official.

The Washington ESD application is designed to be completed with basic information. You don't need extensive documentation upfront - that comes later if there are questions about your claim.

You need to be actively seeking work to remain eligible for benefits. This includes registering with WorkSource and conducting job searches. The requirements start right away, not after a grace period.

Got it, thanks. I'll make sure to register with WorkSource when I file my claim.

That makes sense. In my case I was laid off immediately so I can file right away.

Yeah, for immediate layoffs you're good to go. Just wanted to clarify for anyone else reading who might have advance notice.

I filed on a Tuesday afternoon and had no issues. Maybe avoid Sunday evenings and Monday mornings when everyone is filing weekly claims.

Good tip, thanks. I'll try filing during off-peak hours.

That's smart advice. I'll definitely do that when I file tonight.

Speaking of calling Washington ESD, I used Claimyr last month when I had questions about my adjudication status. Way better than trying to get through on your own. They actually got me connected to someone who could help.

I've heard good things about services like that. Sometimes it's worth it to avoid the hassle of calling yourself.

I have my final pay stub with employer info. Should that be sufficient?

That should work fine. The pay stub will have most of what you need. Washington ESD can look up the rest.

You can file immediately when you find out. The system will ask for your last day of work, so just enter Friday as your separation date. No need to worry about backdating - Washington ESD handles that automatically.

Perfect, that's what I was hoping. Thanks for clarifying!

Filing for unemployment shouldn't affect other benefit programs. If anything, having unemployment benefits might help you qualify for certain assistance programs that consider income. But definitely check with specific programs if you're concerned.

That makes sense. I was probably overthinking it.

Thanks for the update! That gives me confidence to go ahead and file tonight.

You've got this! The hardest part is just getting started.

I'll keep that in mind in case I run into problems. Hopefully the filing process goes smoothly and I won't need to call anyone.

That's the best case scenario! But it's good to know the option exists if you need it.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about filing now. Going to get started right after dinner.

You're welcome! Come back and update us on how it goes if you remember.