How to claim unemployment benefits - Washington ESD step by step guide needed

Thank you! Do I need to wait until Monday to file or can I do it over the weekend?

You can file anytime - the website is available 24/7. Just make sure you file within your first week of unemployment to avoid any delays.

I have all my pay stubs from this year. How far back do they typically need to see?

They usually look at your highest earning quarter from the last 5 quarters to determine your benefit amount. Having a full year is perfect.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already worried about money.

It's worth checking out their site for details, but honestly the time and stress it saved me was invaluable. The alternative is calling hundreds of times and rarely getting through.

What day of the week do I need to file the weekly claims?

You can file your weekly claim starting Sunday for the previous week. I usually do mine on Sunday mornings. Just don't wait until Saturday night - give yourself some buffer time.

I always forget and end up doing mine on Saturday at 11pm like an idiot lol. Bad habit but it still works.

What counts as a job search contact? Just applying for jobs online?

Online applications count, but you can also attend job fairs, contact employers directly, networking events, or even informational interviews. Keep detailed records of everything.

Yeah I feel you. I started looking at jobs slightly outside my field just to meet the requirement. Better than losing benefits.

Remember you can also do things like update your resume, attend virtual job search workshops, or reach out to professional contacts. It doesn't have to be just applications.

If everything goes smoothly, about 2-3 weeks from when you file. But if there are any issues with your claim, it can take longer and go into adjudication.

What's adjudication? That sounds scary.

It's just when they need to review something about your claim - like if there's a question about why you left your job or your work history. Most of the time it gets resolved in your favor.

I did get a small severance payment. Will that affect my benefits?

It might delay when your benefits start depending on how much it was, but it won't disqualify you entirely. Washington ESD will calculate it based on when you would have normally been paid.

That's a tricky situation. Washington ESD will look at whether you were misclassified as a contractor when you should have been an employee. You should definitely apply and let them make the determination.

Thanks, I'll give it a shot. Worst they can say is no I guess.

That's reassuring to hear. I tend to overthink these things.

Same here! I spent way too much time worrying about doing something wrong. Just follow the instructions and you'll be fine.

This is great advice. I learned this the hard way when the system glitched and I couldn't prove I had filed on time.

Good thinking. I'll definitely do that.

How does that work exactly? Do they just call for you?

They help you get connected to a live agent without all the waiting and busy signals. Way better than trying to call directly.

What percentage of your regular pay is it usually?

In Washington it's about 50-60% of your average weekly wage, but there's a maximum amount they'll pay regardless of how much you made.

Oh good, I was worried about that. Every dollar counts right now.

Exactly. Just make sure you file your weekly claim for that first week even if you haven't gotten approval yet.

Ugh, I hadn't thought about taxes. Should I have them withheld?

It's usually easier to have them withheld so you don't get a surprise tax bill later. You can change this setting in your account.

What should I include in the log?

Date, employer name, type of contact, position applied for, and any follow-up. Keep it detailed and honest.

How do I get help if I have questions? Calling seems impossible.

That's where services like Claimyr come in handy. Sometimes you really do need to talk to a person to get things sorted out properly.

Thank you everyone for all this help. I feel much more confident about getting started now.

You're welcome! Come back if you have more questions. We've all been there.