How to claim unemployment benefits - Washington ESD first time filer needs help

You'll need to file your initial claim online at esd.wa.gov. You can't file by phone for new claims anymore. Make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. The system will walk you through it step by step.

You'll need to file your initial claim 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 past 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. The process usually takes about 30 minutes to complete online.

After you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits. Don't skip any weeks even if you don't get paid right away - you can lose those weeks permanently. Also make sure you're actively looking for work and keeping a job search log.

First, don't panic - the process is straightforward once you know the steps. You'll need to file your initial claim online at esd.wa.gov. Make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates of employment. You'll also need your bank account information if you want direct deposit.

The online application takes about 30-45 minutes. After you submit it, you'll get a confirmation number and they'll mail you information about your claim within a few days. Don't forget you have to file weekly claims every week even while your initial claim is being processed.

I tried calling Washington ESD when I first filed and could never get through. The hold times are insane. I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to an actual agent. They have this demo video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Saved me hours of waiting on hold when I had questions about my claim status.

I struggled with getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions about my claim. Their phone lines are constantly busy and I'd get disconnected after waiting for hours. I found this service called Claimyr that actually helped me get through to a real person. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Make sure you understand the job search requirements too. You need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a log. Washington ESD can audit this anytime so keep good records.

ugh the whole system is such a mess. took me 6 weeks to get my first payment because they kept asking for more documents. just be prepared for delays

The key thing is to file as soon as possible after your job loss. You can't get benefits for weeks before you file, so don't wait. After you submit your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits. Each weekly claim asks about any work you did and money you earned that week.

OMG the Washington ESD website is SO confusing! I spent like 2 hours trying to figure out how to file my weekly claim the first time. Why can't they make this stuff easier to understand?? We're already stressed about losing our jobs and then they make us jump through all these hoops.

Just a heads up - if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your claim, the phone lines are absolutely brutal. I spent hours trying to get through when I had questions about my adjudication. Recently discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent in like 20 minutes. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration!

Don't let the horror stories scare you. Most claims go through fine if you provide complete information upfront. The key is being thorough on your initial application - incomplete applications cause most of the delays people complain about.

Also remember you can't get benefits for the first week (waiting week) but you still need to file that week. It's basically unpaid but required.

One important thing - make sure you file your initial claim as soon as possible. Your benefit year starts the week you file, not when you lost your job. So if you wait a month to file, you lose that month of potential benefits.

Also be prepared for potential delays. My claim went into adjudication for like 6 weeks because they had questions about my separation from my employer. Even though I was clearly laid off, they still had to verify everything.

This is all really helpful, thank you everyone. One more question - how much will I actually get? I was making about $18/hour full time.

Make sure you have direct deposit set up when you file. Paper checks take much longer and can get lost in the mail. Also download the Washington ESD mobile app - it makes filing weekly claims easier.

I'm still confused about the job search requirements. Do I have to take any job offered to me? What if it pays way less than my old job?

Also important - you need to register with WorkSource Washington and create a job search plan. This is required now for most unemployment claims. You'll need to log your job search activities weekly including applications, interviews, and other work search activities.

Ugh the job search requirements are such a pain. I get why they exist but when you're already stressed about money the last thing you want is more paperwork and busy work.

Just filed my claim last month after being unemployed for years (was self-employed). The hardest part was figuring out my employment history from so long ago. Start gathering that info now - company names, addresses, exact dates, reason you left each job.

One thing nobody mentions - if you worked in another state in the last 18 months, you might need to file an interstate claim. That adds complexity but Washington ESD handles it.

If you run into any issues with your claim or need to speak to someone at Washington ESD, seriously consider using Claimyr. I wasted so many hours on hold before finding them. Saved me a ton of frustration.

The website crashes a lot during peak hours. Try filing early morning or late evening when traffic is lighter. I had to start over three times because the system timed out on me.

Quick question - were you laid off or fired? Because if you were fired for misconduct you won't qualify. But layoffs due to lack of work are usually fine.

Don't forget to set up direct deposit! Getting paper checks takes forever and they can get lost in the mail. Do it right when you file your claim.

Regarding timeline - it usually takes 2-3 weeks to process your initial claim if there are no issues. However, if Washington ESD needs to verify your employment or investigate anything, your claim could go into adjudication which can take 4-6 weeks or longer. That's when people really need to contact ESD to check status.

Don't forget about WorkSourceWA registration. You need to register there within a certain timeframe or it can affect your benefits. It's separate from the ESD website.

I'm curious what the maximum weekly benefit is now? I filed a few years ago and it was around $790 but I think it's gone up.

Make sure you understand the difference between being fired and being laid off when you file. If you were fired for misconduct you won't qualify for benefits. But if it was just a layoff due to lack of work or budget cuts, you should be fine.

One thing that helped me - set up a dedicated email just for unemployment stuff. You'll get a lot of emails from ESD and it helps to keep them organized.

Make sure you understand what counts as suitable work too. You can't just turn down job offers without good reason or they'll cut off your benefits.

The whole process stressed me out too when I first filed. But honestly once you get through the initial application and start your weekly routine, it becomes pretty straightforward. Hang in there!

If your claim goes into adjudication (they need to investigate something), don't panic. It happens to lots of people and usually resolves within a few weeks. Just respond quickly to any requests for information.

One last tip - screenshot everything! Save confirmation numbers, print out important pages, keep records of all your job search activities. If anything goes wrong, you'll be glad you have documentation.

Good luck with your claim! Most people's first filing goes smoothly if they're prepared. You seem like you're asking the right questions so you should be fine.

One more tip - keep detailed records of everything. Screenshot your weekly claim confirmations, save all emails from Washington ESD, and keep a log of your job search activities. If any problems come up later you'll be glad you have documentation.

The benefit amount is based on your earnings in your base year, which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. Washington ESD will calculate this automatically but you can get a rough estimate on their website.

Don't forget you'll need to report any severance pay or vacation payout you received. This might delay when your benefits start but you still need to report it honestly.

Another thing about contacting Washington ESD - if you do need to call them, definitely try that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. I tried calling on my own for weeks and kept getting the 'high call volume' message and getting disconnected. Used Claimyr and got through same day. Worth it when you're dealing with benefit delays.

The whole system is designed to make you give up honestly. Between the job search requirements and the impossible phone lines, they make it as difficult as possible to actually get help when you need it.

Just file online and don't overthink it. The system will tell you what additional info they need. I stressed myself out reading every single FAQ and it was way simpler than I expected.

Make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week. If you miss a week you might have to provide extra documentation to get that week's benefits. The system is pretty strict about the deadlines.

Quick question for everyone - do you have to accept any job offer you get while on unemployment? I'm worried about taking something way below my previous salary just to get off benefits.

The hardest part for me was the waiting period when my claim went into adjudication. Three weeks with no money coming in and no way to get updates on the status. That's when I really needed to talk to someone at Washington ESD but couldn't get through.

One last tip - if you have any questions about your specific situation, the Washington ESD website has a pretty good FAQ section. Covers most common scenarios and might save you from needing to call.

Also set up direct deposit when you file your claim. Getting a debit card in the mail takes longer and it's just one more thing to worry about when you're already stressed about money.

The job search requirement threw me off at first because I thought I had to apply to 3 jobs every single day. It's actually 3 activities per week which can include networking, updating your resume, going to job fairs, etc. Not just applications.

Honestly the whole thing gave me anxiety at first but once you get into the routine it's not that bad. File your weekly claim every Sunday, keep track of your job search stuff, and you're good to go. Try not to stress too much about it.

Remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your payments or you'll owe at tax time. I'd recommend having them withheld to avoid a big tax bill later.

The whole process can feel overwhelming at first, but once you get your first payment it gets much easier. The weekly claims become routine and you'll get into a rhythm with the job search requirements.

Last tip - if your claim gets stuck in adjudication or you have any complex issues, don't hesitate to get help contacting ESD. That Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really came through for me when I needed it most.

Update: I just finished filing my initial claim! It took about 45 minutes but wasn't as bad as I expected. Thanks everyone for all the help and advice. Now I just need to wait and see if it gets approved.