How soon can I file unemployment claim after job loss in Washington?

Thanks! So I should file today then? Do I need any specific documents ready?

Yes, file today. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates of employment.

Good to know, I'll start the application tonight. How long does the whole process usually take?

if everything goes smooth maybe 2-3 weeks to get first payment but sometimes takes longer if they need to verify stuff

Wait, so if I was laid off last Friday but file today, do I lose those few days between Friday and today?

No, you can claim benefits back to your last day of work as long as you file within a reasonable timeframe. But the sooner you file, the better.

I had the same problem last month - couldn't reach anyone at Washington ESD no matter when I called. Then someone told me about Claimyr (claimyr.com) which actually got me through to a real person. They have this demo video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Basically they handle the calling and waiting for you.

Interesting, I'll check that out. At this point I'll try anything to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD.

What's adjudication? Should I be worried about that?

Adjudication is when they need to review your claim for eligibility. It happens if there are questions about why you left your job or other issues. Most claims don't go to adjudication if the separation was clearly involuntary.

This is getting confusing. My last day was Wednesday, if I file today (Thursday) what happens?

Your claim will be effective this past Sunday, but you can only claim benefits starting from the week that includes your Wednesday last day of work. The system will figure this out automatically.

Three weeks even after filing right away? That's concerning since I need income ASAP.

yeah the verification process can slow things down a lot. they contacted my old employer and it took forever to hear back

this is the clearest explanation i've seen. wish washington esd made this more obvious on their website

Agreed, their website is confusing. I spent an hour trying to figure out the same timeline questions.

What's WorkSource Washington? Another thing I need to worry about?

It's the job search system. You'll need to create a profile there and start logging job search activities. Washington ESD will tell you the specific requirements.

No, the time of day doesn't matter. Your claim is effective the Sunday of the week you file regardless of whether you file Sunday morning or Saturday night.

Good to know, thanks! I was worried about missing some kind of deadline.

I feel you on the bureaucracy frustration. What's been your biggest issue with the process?

Mostly just getting through to anyone when there are questions. The phone system is a nightmare and online messages get ignored.

That's encouraging to hear a success story! Were you able to backdate to your actual last day of work?

Yes, when I did my first weekly claim I was able to indicate my actual last day and they processed it correctly.

Good point, I need to dig up some old pay stubs to get exact dates. Thanks for the reminder!

yeah the system is pretty picky about having complete information upfront

How much does that service cost? Seems like it might be worth it if the alternative is wasting whole days trying to call.

I think it varies depending on what you need help with, but for me it was worth it to actually get answers instead of calling endlessly.

45 minutes sounds reasonable. I was worried it would take hours to fill out.

As long as you have your info ready it's pretty straightforward. The system saves your progress too if you need to take breaks.

I was laid off due to budget cuts, so I should be fine on that front. Thanks for the reminder though!

Perfect, layoffs are usually straightforward for unemployment eligibility. You should have no issues with your claim.

This thread has been super helpful. I'm going to start my application right now. Thanks everyone!

Good luck! Remember to file your weekly claims every week once you get set up, even if your initial claim is still processing.

Six weeks in adjudication sounds awful. Was it ultimately resolved in your favor?

Yes, turned out to be a simple documentation issue that took 5 minutes to resolve once I actually reached the right person.

The online system has definitely improved over the past few years. I rarely have issues with the website anymore.

true, the website is way better than it used to be. just wish the phone support matched that improvement

Good point about taxes. Is that something I set up during the initial application or later?

You can set it up anytime through your online account. I'd recommend doing it early so you don't forget.