How to draw unemployment benefits from Washington ESD - complete beginner guide needed

First step is to file your initial claim online at esd.wa.gov. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. The sooner you file, the sooner your benefits can start.

Drawing unemployment just means collecting/receiving your weekly unemployment benefits from Washington ESD. First step is filing your initial claim 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, dates worked, and reason for separation.

been there man, construction layoffs are rough. make sure you file ASAP because there's a waiting week before benefits start. also you'll need to file weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still pending

The term 'draw unemployment' is old school slang that stuck around. You're basically applying to receive weekly payments while you look for work. After you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to keep receiving benefits - this is where you report any work or earnings.

I had trouble reaching Washington ESD when I needed help with my claim. Ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really saved me from sitting on hold for hours.

The Washington ESD system is pretty straightforward once you get started. After you file your initial claim, you'll need to register for WorkSourceWA for job search requirements. You're required to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities.

OMG this is so overwhelming! I'm in the same boat - got laid off from retail and I don't know where to start. Do they approve everyone or can they deny your claim? What if I made mistakes on my application??

The whole Washington ESD system is a nightmare. I've been trying to get through to them for two weeks about my claim being stuck in adjudication. Their phone system is absolutely useless - either busy signal or you get disconnected after waiting an hour.

Quick checklist for filing your Washington ESD claim: 1) File online at esd.wa.gov within one week of becoming unemployed, 2) Have your SSN, ID, and work history ready, 3) Register for WorkSourceWA, 4) File weekly claims every week, 5) Keep job search log with at least 3 contacts per week.

I went through this same process last year and the hardest part was actually getting through to someone at Washington ESD when I had questions. The phone lines are always busy and I'd get disconnected constantly. Ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me reach an actual agent - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made the whole process way less stressful.

word of advice - don't wait around thinking you might get called back to work soon. file right away because even if you go back to work you can stop the claim. but if you wait to file you lose those weeks of potential benefits

make sure you apply RIGHT AWAY dont wait!! I waited like 2 weeks thinking i had time and missed out on benefits for those weeks. washington esd doesnt backdate claims unless you have a really good reason

make sure you answer all the questions honestly on your weekly claims. they ask about any work you did and any money you earned. lying on these can get you in serious trouble

Important note about timing - there's a one-week waiting period before you can receive benefits. So even if you're approved immediately, your first payment won't come until the second week. Plan accordingly for your finances.

One thing they don't explain well is that you have to actively look for work and keep a job search log. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week and you need to document them. Don't skip this part or you could lose your benefits.

I'm so confused about the job search thing. Do I have to apply for jobs I don't want or that don't pay as much as my old job? This seems really complicated!

The Washington ESD website walks you through everything step by step. When you file your initial claim, make sure all your employer information is accurate because any mistakes can delay your benefits. I had one wrong address and it took an extra 3 weeks to get straightened out.

Ugh the whole system is such a pain. I've been 'drawing unemployment' for 6 weeks now and still dealing with random issues. Last week they wanted additional verification for something I already provided. The bureaucracy is insane.

Quick tip - when you file your weekly claims, be honest about any work you do even if it's just a few hours. Washington ESD will find out anyway and lying can disqualify you completely. Better to report it and get partial benefits than lose everything.

Just want to mention again that if anyone has trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone, Claimyr really works. I was skeptical at first but it got me through to an agent the same day when I'd been trying for weeks on my own.

Also worth mentioning - your benefit amount is based on your earnings in your 'base year' which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. Since you worked for 2 years you should qualify for a decent weekly benefit amount.

been on unemployment twice in the last 5 years and honestly the system works ok if you follow the rules. biggest mistake people make is not filing weekly claims on time. miss a week and you lose that week's benefits permanently

also heads up that if your claim goes into adjudication it can take weeks to get resolved. that's when they're investigating something about your claim. happened to me when my old employer contested it

I remember being overwhelmed by all the terminology when I first filed. 'Drawing unemployment' basically just means you're receiving the money. Once you're approved, you'll get a debit card (KeyBank) and your benefits get loaded onto it each week after you file your weekly claim.

One more important thing - keep track of your benefit year. Washington unemployment benefits are based on a 52-week benefit year from when you first file. If you exhaust your benefits before the year is up, you generally can't file a new claim until the benefit year ends.

don't stress too much about it. millions of people file for unemployment every year and most get through it fine. just be honest, follow the rules, and file everything on time. you'll figure it out as you go

Update: I tried that Claimyr thing and actually got through to Washington ESD in like 20 minutes. Agent was able to explain what was holding up my claim. Definitely worth it if you're stuck.

Final reminder that all unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay estimated taxes quarterly. Don't forget about this when tax time comes around.

alright sounds like you got all the info you need. just remember to actually follow through and file that claim. seen too many people wait and then kick themselves later. construction work will come back but you might as well get benefits while you're waiting

Just wanted to follow up on the Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier - I used them again last month when I had questions about my job search requirements. Really helpful for getting through to Washington ESD without the usual phone maze. Worth checking out their demo video if you run into issues.

Don't forget about WorkSourceWA registration - you'll need to create an account there too as part of the work search requirements. It's separate from the Washington ESD system but they're connected.

One more thing - if your claim gets approved, you'll start receiving benefits for the week you filed, not the week you were laid off. So if you were laid off on Monday but didn't file until the following Wednesday, you lose that first partial week.

my cousin went through this last year and said the hardest part was staying patient during adjudication. her claim took 6 weeks to process because they had to verify some employment dates. just be prepared for potential delays and keep filing your weekly claims even if you havent been paid yet

The good news is once you're in the system and know the routine, drawing unemployment becomes pretty straightforward. File your weekly claim every Sunday, report any work or job contacts, and the money shows up on your card. Just takes getting through that initial setup phase.

I used that Claimyr service too when my claim went into adjudication hell. Definitely saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on. Sometimes it's worth paying for convenience when dealing with government agencies.

Pro tip: screenshot everything when you file your claim and save confirmation numbers. Washington ESD's system sometimes glitches and having proof of what you submitted can save you major headaches later.

Drawing unemployment saved my family when I got laid off from Boeing. The key is staying on top of all the requirements - weekly claims, job searches, responding to any requests for information immediately. Don't let anything slide or you'll create problems for yourself.

Last bit of advice - if you get overwhelmed by all this, take it one step at a time. File your initial claim first, then worry about weekly claims and job search requirements as they come up. The Washington ESD website has pretty good tutorials for each step.