How to apply for unemployment - Washington ESD application process help

You can apply entirely online through the Washington ESD website at esd.wa.gov. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. The process takes about 30-45 minutes if you have everything ready.

Make sure you apply as soon as possible! Your benefits start from the week you file your initial claim, not from when you actually lost your job. I waited two weeks thinking I'd find something quick and lost out on those benefit payments.

The online application is pretty straightforward but if you get stuck trying to reach Washington ESD by phone, I recently discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to an ESD agent without sitting on hold for hours. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really saved me time when I had questions about my application.

Here's what you need to know about the application process: 1) File online at esd.wa.gov, 2) Complete your weekly claims every week even while your initial claim is processing, 3) Start your job search activities immediately because Washington ESD requires 3 job contacts per week, 4) Keep detailed records of everything. The system can be slow so don't panic if it takes a few weeks to get your first payment.

ugh the Washington ESD website is so confusing. I tried to apply last month and kept getting error messages. ended up having to call like 50 times before someone could help me fix whatever was wrong with my application.

Pro tip: apply early in the morning like 6-7 AM when fewer people are on the website. I had way fewer glitches that way. Also make sure you're using a computer, not your phone - the mobile version is even buggier.

Just a heads up that your first payment usually takes 2-3 weeks after you file. Plan accordingly because bills don't wait! I had to borrow money from family while waiting for my first check.

Make sure you understand the difference between filing your initial claim and filing weekly claims. Your initial claim is the big application you do once. Then every week you have to file a weekly claim to actually get paid. I know people who filed the initial claim and then just waited, wondering why they weren't getting money.

The Washington ESD customer service is honestly pretty helpful if you can get through to them. The wait times are brutal though. I usually try calling right when they open at 8 AM for the best chance.

does anyone know if you can get unemployment if you were working part time? i was only working like 25 hours a week at my last job

One thing that trips people up is the base period calculation. Washington ESD looks at your earnings from 12-18 months ago, not your most recent work. So if you just started your warehouse job, they might be looking at whatever you were doing before that.

Don't forget you'll need to register with WorkSourceWA as part of the process. It's required for job search activities and they have some decent resources for resume help and job training programs.

I'm going through this process right now too. Filed my claim two weeks ago and still waiting for approval. The uncertainty is killing me but at least I know I did everything right on the application.

Quick reminder that if you worked in another state in the past 18 months, you might need to file an interstate claim. The process is a bit different so make sure you mention any out-of-state work history.

Also be prepared for possible adjudication if there's anything unusual about how you lost your job. If you were fired or quit, Washington ESD might need to investigate before approving your claim. This can add several weeks to the process.

If you do run into any complications or need to talk to someone at Washington ESD, definitely consider using Claimyr. I had an issue with my wage information and needed to get it sorted out quickly. Instead of spending all day trying to get through on the phone, Claimyr got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes.

Last piece of advice - keep copies of everything! Screenshots of your application confirmation, copies of all correspondence, records of your job search activities. If anything goes wrong, you'll need documentation to sort it out.

To summarize for the OP: 1) Apply online at esd.wa.gov ASAP, 2) Have your employment history ready, 3) File weekly claims every week, 4) Start job searching immediately, 5) Register with WorkSourceWA, 6) Keep detailed records of everything. You've got this!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I'm going to file my application first thing tomorrow morning. Really appreciate you all taking the time to explain everything.

This whole thread has been super helpful for me too. Going to use some of these tips for my own situation. Thanks everyone!