How to claim unemployment benefits in Washington - complete walkthrough needed

Thank you! I do have a SAW account from when I had to renew my license online. Should I gather pay stubs too or just the basic employment info?

Pay stubs aren't required for the initial application, but having your most recent one handy can help verify your wages. The main thing is accurate employer information and separation details.

What exactly are work search activities? Do I need to apply for jobs immediately or can I take a few days to get organized first?

You need to do 3 work search activities each week you claim benefits. This includes job applications, networking contacts, job fairs, etc. Keep detailed records because Washington ESD audits these regularly.

The work search requirement is no joke - they will ask for proof and disqualify you if you can't provide it. I learned this the hard way last year.

That sounds too good to be true - does it actually work? I hate being on hold forever.

It really does work! I was skeptical too but I got through to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of the usual 2+ hours of redialing. Totally worth it when you actually need help.

Never heard of this service but honestly the Washington ESD phone system is so broken that I'm willing to try anything at this point.

I got laid off on Wednesday - should I file this week or wait until next week? I'm confused about the timing.

File this week! You can claim benefits for any days you were unemployed this week, even if it's just Thursday and Friday. Don't wait.

That sounds like adjudication - it happens when there's a question about your eligibility or separation reason. You should have received a letter explaining what information they need.

i got some letter but it was confusing as hell. something about my employer response. do i need to do anything or just wait?

Check your online account for any pending issues. If your employer disputed your claim, you might need to provide additional documentation or participate in a hearing.

Yes, 'lack of work' and 'reduction in force' are essentially the same thing. Both indicate you were let go through no fault of your own, which is what Washington ESD needs to see for eligibility.

be careful with that selection because if your employer says something different it can cause problems later

Yes, you need to register with WorkSourceWA within a reasonable time after filing your claim. It's part of the work search requirements and helps you track your job search activities.

Thanks! Is that workforcesnw.org or a different site?

It's worksourcewa.com - that's the official Washington state job search site that integrates with your UI claim.

What kind of mistakes should I watch out for? I'm worried about messing something up.

Main things: report ANY work or income accurately, make sure your availability answers are consistent, and double-check all dates. Even small errors can trigger an adjudication.

How detailed should my records be? Do you use a spreadsheet or just write things down?

I use a simple spreadsheet with columns for date, company name, position, contact method, and follow-up needed. Makes it easy to report during your weekly claims.

This is smart advice. I got audited last year and having good records saved me from getting disqualified.

It's based on your highest quarter of earnings in your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). Your weekly benefit is roughly 3.85% of that quarter's wages, up to the state maximum.

That's helpful, thanks! Do bonuses and overtime count toward that calculation?

Yes, all wages reported on your W-2 count, including bonuses and overtime. It's based on total gross wages paid during each quarter.

That's exactly what I'm worried about - getting stuck without being able to talk to anyone. Good to know there's an option if that happens.

How much does something like that cost? Seems like it would be expensive.

It's really reasonable considering how much time and frustration it saves. Way better than spending entire days trying to get through on your own.

My employer said there might be a chance of being called back in a few months but nothing definite. How should I handle that?

If there's no specific recall date, you're probably not on standby status. You'd file regular UI claims and do work search activities. Standby is for temporary layoffs with definite return dates.

Good tip! I'll bookmark that in case I run into problems.

also make sure javascript is enabled - found that out the hard way when nothing was working

Thanks everyone for all the help! I feel much more confident about tackling this process now. Really appreciate all the detailed advice.

You're welcome! Feel free to come back if you run into any issues. We've all been there and it's good to help each other navigate the system.

good luck! the first time is always the most stressful but once you get the hang of it it becomes routine

What counts as work that needs to be reported? Like if I help someone move and they give me $50?

Technically any income should be reported, even cash payments. It's not worth the risk of getting caught in an audit later.

Exactly right. Washington ESD has gotten much stricter about unreported income. Always err on the side of reporting too much rather than too little.