How to apply for unemployment in Washington - need step by step help

First thing - don't panic! The Washington ESD application process is pretty straightforward once you know the steps. You'll need to go to esd.wa.gov and create an account through SecureAccess Washington (SAW). Have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months ready. The most important thing is to apply as soon as possible after your last day of work.

been there! took me forever to figure out the SAW login system. make sure you use a strong password because if you get locked out its a nightmare to get back in

Here's what worked for me when I applied last year. The key steps are: 1) File your initial claim online at esd.wa.gov, 2) Complete your weekly claim every week even while waiting for approval, 3) Register with WorkSource for job search requirements, and 4) Keep detailed records of all your job search activities. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me to get my first payment.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD by phone to ask questions during the application process, I recently discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get connected to an actual ESD agent without having to wait on hold for hours. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much time when I had questions about my application.

For the WorkSource registration part - this is mandatory in Washington. You need to create a profile at workSourcewa.com and start logging your job search activities. The requirement is usually 3 job search activities per week, but double-check the current requirements on the ESD website since they can change.

one more thing - if you worked in multiple states in the past 18 months you might need to file in a different state. washington has rules about where you file based on where you worked

ugh the whole system is such a mess. took them 6 weeks to process my claim and then they said i owed them money back for some stupid technicality. good luck dealing with these people

Don't let horror stories scare you - most claims go through just fine if you follow the rules and provide accurate information. The key is being thorough and consistent with your weekly claims and job search activities.

Quick tip - when you're filling out the initial application, the questions about why you left your job are really important. Be honest but make sure you understand how different reasons affect your eligibility. Being laid off is usually straightforward, but if you quit or were fired it gets more complicated.

Does anyone know how much the weekly benefit amount is? I'm trying to figure out if it will cover my basic expenses

I applied three months ago and still haven't gotten a straight answer about my claim status. It just says 'under review' forever. The system is completely broken.

Just want to add - make sure you report any part-time work or income while you're collecting benefits. Even small amounts need to be reported on your weekly claims. Better to over-report than under-report.

The online system is actually pretty user friendly once you get used to it. Way better than having to mail in forms like the old days

Has anyone had issues with the identity verification step? They asked me for additional documents and I'm not sure what they need exactly

Timeline wise - I filed on a Monday and got my determination letter the following Friday. First payment came about 10 days after that. Not too bad overall

Don't forget about the waiting week! Washington has a one-week waiting period before benefits start, so your first payable week is actually your second week of unemployment

The mobile app is pretty convenient for filing weekly claims once you get set up. Much easier than logging into the website every time

My advice is to screenshot everything and keep your own records. If something goes wrong later you'll want proof of what you submitted and when

Last thing - if your claim gets denied for any reason, you can appeal within 30 days. Don't just accept a denial without understanding why it happened

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much more confident about starting the application process now. Going to gather all my documents this weekend and file first thing Monday morning.