How to claim your unemployment benefits - Washington ESD step by step process?

Thank you! Do I need my W-2 from last year or will they get that info automatically?

They'll get your wage info from employers automatically, but having your paystubs handy can help if there are any discrepancies later.

That's not too bad. Do I start getting paid right away once approved?

There's a one week waiting period, so your first payment is usually for the second week after you file. Make sure to file your weekly claims every week even while waiting for approval.

That's what I'm worried about! What if I have questions during the process?

Honestly, I ended up using this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual person at Washington ESD. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made my life so much easier when I needed to talk to someone about my claim status.

Did you have any issues with the website crashing or anything like that?

nah it worked fine for me, just make sure you have good internet

What happens if I forget to file a weekly claim one week?

You can usually file late weekly claims, but it might delay your payments. Try to set a reminder to file every Sunday.

I missed filing one week and it was fine, just had to call to get it sorted out. Though calling Washington ESD is a nightmare - took me 3 days of trying.

I worked retail for 2 years full time, so I should be good right?

Yeah you should definitely qualify with 2 years of work. The minimum is usually around $4,000 in your base period.

Three weeks?? I was hoping to get my first payment within a couple weeks of filing.

It SHOULD be faster but sometimes they need to verify stuff with your employer or there are delays. Just be patient and keep filing your weekly claims.

That's exactly why I used Claimyr when I had issues - saved me so much time trying to get through to Washington ESD on my own.

I was definitely just laid off - they eliminated my position due to budget cuts. Should be straightforward.

Perfect, that's the easiest situation for unemployment approval. Just make sure you describe it clearly in the application.

What counts as a job search activity?

Applying for jobs, going to job fairs, networking events, even some online training courses count. They give you a list when you're approved.

You also need to register with WorkSourceWA if you haven't already. It's part of the requirements for continuing to receive benefits.

What's adjudication? That sounds scary.

Adjudication just means they need to review something about your claim before approving it. Could be verifying your employment info or the reason you lost your job. It's common but can add time to the process.

yeah exactly what they said, but good luck getting anyone on the phone to explain what they need

Bank info for direct deposit - do I need a voided check or just account numbers?

Just your routing and account numbers. You can find those on any check or your banking app.

Same experience here. I actually found out about Claimyr from someone on Reddit who was having the same problem. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents - worked great for me when I needed to resolve an issue with my weekly claims.

Is that expensive to use?

It's worth it when you consider how much time you save not sitting on hold for hours. Check out their demo video to see how it works.

So I file the initial claim once, then file weekly claims every week after that?

Exactly! Initial claim establishes your eligibility and benefit amount. Weekly claims are how you actually request payment each week.

What kind of additional documentation did they want?

First time was pay stubs to verify my wages, second time was a letter from my employer explaining why I was laid off. Just have your paperwork organized in case they ask.

Thank you everyone! This has been super helpful. I feel much more confident about filing now.

You're welcome! Don't hesitate to ask if you run into any issues during the process.

I'll definitely keep that in mind. Hopefully I won't need it but good to know it's there.

Exactly - hopefully you won't need it, but it's a lifesaver when the normal phone system fails you.