How to apply for unemployment - Washington ESD first time filer needs help

Thank you! Do I need pay stubs or will they verify my wages some other way?

Washington ESD will verify your wages through employer reports, but it's good to have your last pay stub handy in case there are any discrepancies.

What kind of mistakes should I watch out for?

Main things are getting your employment dates wrong, forgetting to include all employers from the past 18 months, or not being clear about why you separated from your job.

How long did it take for your claim to get approved?

Mine took about 2 weeks, but I've heard it can take longer if there are any issues with your claim that need adjudication.

What's adjudication? That sounds scary.

It's just when they need to review something about your claim in more detail, like if there's a question about why you left your job. Nothing to panic about but it does add time to the process.

Is that legitimate? Sounds too good to be true.

I was skeptical too but it actually worked. Got through to an agent in about 10 minutes when I needed to check on my claim status.

Good to know there's an option if I run into problems. Hopefully I won't need it though.

I was laid off due to company downsizing, so I think I should be okay on that front.

That's perfect - layoffs are definitely qualifying separations. You shouldn't have any issues there.

What part was confusing? The employment history section trips up a lot of people.

yeah that part! i had like 3 different jobs in the past year and couldnt remember all the exact dates

You can estimate the dates if you don't remember exactly, but try to be as close as possible. Check old pay stubs or your tax documents if you have them.

How many job searches do I need to do per week?

I think it's 3 job search activities per week, but it might depend on your situation. They'll tell you the exact requirements when your claim is processed.

It's actually 3 for most people but can be more if you're in certain programs. The WorkSource registration is mandatory though.

You can apply right away. In fact, you should apply as soon as possible because there's a waiting week before benefits start.

What's a waiting week?

It's the first week of your claim where you file but don't get paid. It's like a one-week delay before your benefits actually start coming.

What kind of things typically go wrong?

Sometimes the website crashes during busy times, or your claim might get flagged for review if there's something unusual about your work history. Nothing you can't work through though.

That's really smart advice. I'll definitely do that.

Yes! I learned this the hard way when I lost all my info during a site crash and had to start over.

Good point. When do I start filing weekly claims?

You can start filing weekly claims the week after you submit your initial application, even if it hasn't been approved yet.

This is important - don't wait for approval to start your weekly filings!

Yeah, that's exactly why I started using Claimyr. The regular phone system is just broken.

How much does something like that cost though?

It's worth checking out their site for pricing, but honestly when you're dealing with unemployment benefits worth hundreds of dollars a week, it's a small price to pay to actually get through to someone.

Good reminder! I definitely want direct deposit.

Yeah, paper checks can add another week to getting your money. Direct deposit usually processes within 1-2 business days.

You need to be authorized to work in the US, but you don't have to be a citizen. Work visa holders can qualify if they meet the other requirements.

Thanks! I'll let them know they should be good to apply.

Fortunately all my recent work has been in Washington, so I should be filing here.

That makes it easy then. Your claim should be straightforward.

Noted! I'll double-check everything before submitting.

Better to take a few extra minutes upfront than deal with delays later.

That's reassuring to hear. I was pretty stressed about it but this thread has helped a lot.

You've got this! Just take it step by step and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

Great advice. I'll set up a folder on my computer for all the unemployment stuff.

Smart! I wish I'd been that organized from the start.

Good luck! Feel free to come back here if you run into any issues.

You'll do great! The hardest part is just getting started.