How to file a claim for unemployment benefits with Washington ESD - confused about the process

Sorry to hear about your job loss. Filing for unemployment isn't too complicated once you know the steps. First, go to esd.wa.gov and create an account if you don't have one. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. Make sure you have your most recent pay stub too.

The Washington ESD application process has gotten much better over the years. After you create your account on SecureAccess Washington (SAW), you'll go through the initial claim application which takes about 30-45 minutes. They'll ask about your work history, reason for separation, and availability to work. Make sure you answer everything honestly - they will verify your information with your employers.

I filed my claim three months ago and it's been a nightmare trying to get through to anyone at Washington ESD when I had questions. The phone lines are always busy and you get disconnected constantly. I finally found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual person. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. It was a lifesaver for me.

Don't forget that after you file your initial claim, you HAVE to file weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits. You can't skip weeks even if you think you might get a job soon. The weekly claims are due by midnight on Saturday for the previous week. And yes, you still file even if your claim is pending or in adjudication.

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! why cant they just make it simple? i tried to file online and kept getting error messages

One thing that trips people up is the job search requirement. In Washington, you need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities. This includes applying for jobs, networking, attending job fairs, etc. You don't have to submit the log unless they ask for it, but you need to keep track.

The hardest part for me was getting all my employment information together. Make sure you have exact dates of employment, not just approximate. Also get your employer's federal tax ID number if you can - it speeds up the process. And if you were paid by direct deposit, have your bank account info ready.

Just a heads up - if you quit your job instead of being laid off, you might not be eligible for benefits. Washington ESD is pretty strict about this. You have to be unemployed through no fault of your own.

Another thing - if your claim gets complicated or you need to talk to someone, don't waste time trying to call the regular ESD phone number. I spent weeks getting nowhere until I used Claimyr to actually get through to someone who could help. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to sort things out.

Also keep in mind that your weekly benefit amount is based on your highest earning quarter in the past year. So if you had a period where you made more money, that will help your benefit calculation. The maximum weekly benefit in Washington is currently around $999 per week.

been there done that with the unemployment filing. its not as scary as it seems once you get started. just take your time with the application and double check everything before submitting

One more important thing - if you have any issues with your claim or it goes into adjudication, keep filing your weekly claims! I can't stress this enough. People think they should stop filing if there's a problem, but you need to keep claiming to get back pay once the issue is resolved.

I remember when I first filed it took like 2 weeks to get my first payment even though everything went smoothly. Don't panic if you don't see money right away - there's processing time involved.

If you run into any roadblocks during the process, don't give up. The system can be frustrating but most issues can be resolved. Document everything and keep copies of all your paperwork. And remember that Washington ESD has to follow specific rules - they can't just deny your claim without good reason.

Pro tip: file your claim on a weekday morning if possible. The website tends to be slower on Sundays when everyone is trying to do their weekly claims.

Also make sure you have a reliable phone number and email address on file. ESD will contact you through these if they need additional information or if there are any issues with your claim.

Last thing - if your claim does get stuck and you need to reach ESD, Claimyr really is the way to go. I wasted so much time trying to get through on my own before I found them. Their system actually works and you can get real answers about your claim status.

good luck with your claim! the whole process is nerve wracking the first time but youll get through it

Just to summarize the key steps: 1) Gather all your employment and personal info, 2) Create your ESD account at esd.wa.gov, 3) Complete the initial claim application, 4) File weekly claims every week, 5) Keep a job search log, 6) Be patient with processing times. You've got this!

The whole unemployment system can be overwhelming but this community is really helpful. Don't hesitate to post again if you have questions during the process.