How to claim unemployment benefits in Washington - need complete walkthrough

Thank you! Do I need pay stubs or will they verify my wages automatically?

They'll verify wages through your employers automatically, but keep your pay stubs just in case they ask for them later during adjudication.

What happens during adjudication? That sounds scary.

It's just when Washington ESD reviews your claim to make sure everything checks out. They might contact your employer or ask for additional documents. Usually takes 1-2 weeks but can be longer if there are issues.

How many jobs do I need to apply for each week?

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of them. This includes applying for jobs, contacting employers, or attending job fairs.

I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about my claim status and can't get through. Found this service called Claimyr that actually got me connected to an agent in like 10 minutes. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works.

That's exactly what I'm worried about! Did you try that Claimyr thing the other person mentioned?

Yeah actually I did try Claimyr after seeing it mentioned here. It worked - got through to an agent who told me my claim was stuck because of a system glitch. They fixed it while I was on the phone.

Wow that's awesome! I might have to try that myself. My friend has been trying to reach them about her overpayment notice for weeks.

What if I had multiple jobs? Do I list all of them?

Yes, list every job you had in the past 18 months, even part-time ones. It all counts toward your benefit calculation.

Good tip! Can I change to direct deposit later if I forget to set it up initially?

Yes you can change it in your account settings, but it takes a few days to process so do it ASAP.

At least you got yours filed! I'm still trying to figure out what documents I need.

Honestly the hardest part was just getting started. Once you create the account and start filling it out, it walks you through everything step by step.

What if I do some freelance work? Does that count as income I need to report?

Yes, any income from any source needs to be reported. Freelance work, gig work, selling stuff online - all of it.

This is so confusing. What if I'm not sure if something counts as income?

That makes sense. Better safe than sorry I guess.

Exactly. Washington ESD has access to all kinds of databases to cross-check your reported income anyway.

That's reassuring! Were you able to get through to customer service when you had questions?

I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Saved me so much time and frustration compared to trying to call directly.

How do I prove I'm looking for work?

Keep a log with dates, company names, how you contacted them, and any responses. You can do this in WorkSourceWA or just keep your own records.

Thanks everyone! I feel much more confident about getting this started now.

You've got this! The hardest part is just beginning. Once you get your routine down it becomes second nature.

Great idea! I'm definitely going to need those reminders.

Yeah, I almost forgot one week and would have been in big trouble. The notifications saved me.

Thank you so much! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I'm going to start my application right now.

That's the spirit! You'll be glad you got it started sooner rather than later.