How soon do I get unemployment after filing with Washington ESD?

2-3 weeks? That's longer than I hoped but at least I have a timeframe now. Thanks for the info.

That's if nothing gets flagged for adjudication. Mine took 6 weeks because they had to verify my previous employment.

I did get some paperwork but honestly it was overwhelming. Where exactly do I file the weekly claims?

Log into your eServices account on the Washington ESD website. There should be a link for weekly claim filing. You need to do this every week even if your initial claim isn't approved yet.

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr. They help you get through to Washington ESD agents without waiting on hold all day. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that but I'm desperate at this point. Does it actually work?

Yeah it worked for me. Got connected to an agent in like 20 minutes instead of calling all day and getting nowhere.

I was definitely laid off, not quit. Does that help speed things up?

yeah layoffs are usually pretty straightforward unless your employer contests it or something

That gives me hope! What did the determination letter say exactly?

It basically confirmed I was eligible, told me my weekly benefit amount, and explained the job search requirements I need to meet.

Two weeks is pretty fast. Mine took almost a month because they couldn't verify my wages from my previous employer right away.

Wait, so I lose a whole week of benefits?

The waiting week is unpaid, yes. It's been that way for years in Washington. So factor that into your timeline.

That waiting week rule is so stupid. People need money immediately when they lose their job, not three weeks later.

How would I know if they contest it? Do they notify me?

Washington ESD will send you a notice if your employer contests. Then you might have to provide more documentation or even attend a hearing.

Five weeks is way too long. Have you tried using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier? Might be worth a shot if regular calling isn't working.

Haven't tried that yet but I'm running out of options. Might give it a shot.

How many job contacts do I need to make per week?

I think it's 3 per week in Washington, but check your determination letter when you get it. The requirements might be different depending on your situation.

It's definitely 3 job contacts per week. And they can audit your job search log so keep good records.

Have you checked your eServices account online? Sometimes they post updates there before they mail anything.

Yeah I check it daily but it just says 'claim under review' or something like that.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr to get through to them. You need to talk to someone to find out what's holding up your claim. The online portal doesn't tell you much.

What kind of complications usually cause delays?

Wage verification issues, employer contests, questions about why you left your job, missing documentation. Lots of things can trigger adjudication.

Good to know. I'll mark my calendar for 3 weeks from now.

Yeah waiting longer than that is usually pointless. I waited 2 months once before finding out they needed additional paperwork from me.

How long does the debit card usually take to arrive?

Mine took about a week after my claim was approved. But I've heard some people wait longer depending on the mail.

That's not very reassuring when you need money for rent and groceries now, not in a few weeks.

I get it, just trying to provide some perspective. The system isn't perfect but it could be worse.

I hadn't even thought about taxes. Should I have them withhold taxes from my benefits?

Probably a good idea unless you want a big tax bill next April. You can change the withholding setting in your eServices account.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm trying to stay positive but it's tough when bills are piling up.

Look into local food banks and assistance programs while you wait. Every little bit helps when money is tight.

Good idea, I'll look into that. Thanks for the suggestion.