How soon can I get Washington ESD unemployment benefits after filing?

Thanks! So realistically I'm looking at 2-3 weeks minimum before seeing any money?

That's about right if everything goes smoothly. Make sure you have all your employment info ready when you file to avoid delays.

What causes a claim to go into adjudication? I'm worried about delays.

Things like being fired, quitting, or if there's any question about your eligibility. If you were laid off due to lack of work you should be fine.

Good point about the backdating. I'll file today even though I'm still gathering some paperwork.

Exactly. You can always provide additional documentation later if needed.

Have you tried calling right at 8am when they open? That's usually the best time.

I've tried everything. Early morning, late afternoon, different days. Always get hung up on or stuck in queue forever.

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 actual agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Game changer for me.

Wait, so I don't get paid for the first week at all? That seems unfair.

That's correct. Washington has a one-week waiting period before benefits start. It's been that way for years.

Yeah it's really frustrating when you're already stressed about money. Budget for that first week.

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

You need to make at least 3 job search activities per week. This can include applying for jobs, networking, going to job fairs, etc. Keep detailed records.

When do the weekly claims need to be filed? Is there a deadline?

You can file starting Sunday for the previous week, and you have until the following Saturday. But don't wait - file as early as possible each week.

That's not too bad! Were there any complications or did it go smoothly?

Pretty smooth. I was laid off due to company downsizing so there weren't any eligibility questions. Having all my employment dates and wages ready helped.

Seriously try Claimyr if you need to talk to someone. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked. Got connected to an agent in like 20 minutes instead of spending hours on hold.

I might have to look into that. This is ridiculous that we need a third party service just to contact a government agency.

Good point. I hadn't even thought about taxes on unemployment benefits.

Yeah, it catches a lot of people off guard. You can have 10% federal tax withheld when you file your weekly claims.

That makes sense. Better to ask questions upfront than deal with issues down the road.

That sounds like it might be in adjudication. Have you tried calling to check the status?

Tried calling dozens of times. Can never get through to anyone who can help.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr. When you can't get through the normal way, sometimes you need help from a service that specializes in getting past Washington ESD's phone system.

I was laid off due to budget cuts, so hopefully that won't be an issue for me.

Layoffs due to lack of work are usually straightforward. You should be fine as long as you meet the other requirements.

I've been working full time for 3 years, so I should meet the work requirements.

Yeah you'll be fine then. The requirement is usually having worked in at least 2 of the last 5 quarters.

That's good advice. I'll try to stay focused on finding new work while I wait for the benefits to kick in.

Good to know! I'll make sure to file weekly regardless of my claim status.

Yes, this is important. Keep filing weekly claims from the beginning even if you're not getting paid yet.

I'll look into the fastest payment method when I file. Every day counts right now.

I'll add that to my list. Thanks for the reminder!

That's helpful to set realistic expectations. I'll plan for 3-4 weeks just to be safe.

Smart approach. Better to be pleasantly surprised if it's faster than to be caught off guard by delays.

Good point. I'll gather all that stuff together before I file my claim.