How to claim benefits for unemployment Washington ESD - first time filing help

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

Washington ESD gets wage info directly from employers so you don't need pay stubs for the application, but keep them handy just in case there are discrepancies.

How many jobs do I need to apply for each week? I've heard different numbers.

Currently it's 3 job search activities per week in Washington. Can be applications, networking, job fairs, etc. Keep good records!

Is this a legitimate service? Sounds too good to be true honestly.

Yeah I was skeptical too but it actually worked. They don't ask for any personal info, just help you get through the phone queue. Worth trying if you get stuck.

I used them last month when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Took about 20 minutes to get connected versus the 4+ hours I was spending trying to call myself.

That's what I'm worried about. The website looks complicated.

It's actually not too bad once you start. Just take it step by step and don't rush through the questions.

What kind of things cause adjudication? Should I be worried about anything specific?

Common reasons include job separation issues (if they think you quit or were fired for misconduct), wage discrepancies, or if you worked in multiple states. Usually resolves within a few weeks if everything checks out.

Mine took 6 weeks to clear adjudication even though I was clearly laid off due to budget cuts. The system is just slow sometimes.

Is that separate from the ESD website? This is getting confusing.

Yeah it's worksourcewa.com - different site but connected to your unemployment claim. You register there and log your job search activities.

Good point. I worked at two different places in the last year so I'll need info for both.

Also make sure you have the exact reason for separation. 'Laid off due to lack of work' is different from 'position eliminated' even though they seem similar.

I think they got rid of the waiting week during COVID but brought it back. So frustrating.

It's back to normal now - there is a one week waiting period before benefits start. Plan accordingly.

You can file your weekly claim starting Sunday morning for the previous week. Most people do it Sunday or Monday. You have until the following Saturday to file it.

I always do mine first thing Sunday morning so I don't forget. Set a phone reminder.

Good reminder. I should probably set up email notifications if that's an option.

Yes, definitely enable all the notification options in your account settings.

Thanks for the encouragement. Yeah, it was company-wide layoffs so at least I know it wasn't performance related.

That should make your claim pretty straightforward then. Layoffs due to lack of work are usually approved quickly.

I'll definitely keep that in mind if I run into problems. Hopefully everything goes smoothly though.

Hope so too but good to have a backup plan. The phone lines at ESD can be brutal during busy periods.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice. I feel much more prepared to start the application now.

Good luck! Come back and update us on how it goes.

Great point. I'll start a folder for all unemployment related documents.

Smart move. I wish I had been more organized from the start - would have saved me headaches later.

That's reassuring. I was dreading dealing with government websites.

The mobile app works well too if you prefer filing your weekly claims on your phone.

How long should I expect before the first payment typically?

If everything goes smoothly, usually 2-3 weeks from when you first file. Could be longer if there are complications.

Mine took exactly 3 weeks and that was considered normal timing.

Thanks for all the support everyone. This community has been incredibly helpful.

That's what we're here for. Good luck with your claim and your job search!