How to file for unemployment benefits - Washington ESD first time application help needed

First step is creating your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account at secure.esd.wa.gov if you don't have one already. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, dates worked, and reason for separation. The process takes about 30-45 minutes if you have everything ready.

You'll want to file online at esd.wa.gov - it's much faster than calling. 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. Also gather your pay stubs from your last job. The process takes about 30-45 minutes to complete.

The online system can be glitchy sometimes. I tried filing three times before it finally went through last month. Make sure you have a stable internet connection and don't use Internet Explorer.

After you file your initial claim, there's a one-week waiting period before you can receive benefits. Make sure to file your weekly claims every week even during this waiting period or you'll lose those weeks. The weekly claim filing opens Sunday mornings and you have until Saturday night to complete it.

Be prepared for potential delays in processing. My claim got stuck in adjudication for almost a month because they needed to verify my separation reason with my employer. If you can't get through to Washington ESD by phone to check on delays, I discovered this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually gets you connected to an agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

If you run into problems with the online system or need to talk to someone at Washington ESD, I recently discovered Claimyr at claimyr.com. They help you get through to actual agents instead of waiting on hold for hours. There's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really saved me a lot of frustration when I needed help with my claim status.

Make sure you understand the job search requirements! You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep detailed records in your WorkSourceWA account. This includes applications, interviews, networking contacts, job fairs, etc. Washington ESD can audit your job search activities at any time.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ACCURATE EMPLOYER INFORMATION! I messed up one address and it delayed my whole claim for 3 weeks while they did verification. Also, if you worked for any temp agencies or had multiple employers, list them ALL even if it was just for a few days.

the whole process is pretty straightforward just take your time filling it out. i rushed through mine and had to call later to fix some dates. washington esd is pretty good about helping fix mistakes but its easier to get it right the first time

One important thing - you'll need to register with WorkSourceWA as part of the process. Don't skip this step! You can do it at worksourcewa.com and it's required for most people to maintain eligibility. You'll also need to start documenting your job search activities right away.

ugh the washington esd system is so confusing, took me forever to figure out where to even start filing. why cant they make it more user friendly??

Important tip - when they ask for your reason for separation, be very specific and honest. If you put 'laid off' but your employer reports it as 'quit' or 'terminated for cause', your claim will go into adjudication and that can delay payments for weeks.

Just a heads up - if there are any issues with your claim it might go into adjudication which can take weeks to resolve. Don't panic if this happens, it's pretty common especially for first-time filers.

Don't forget about the tax implications. Washington doesn't have state income tax but you'll owe federal taxes on your unemployment benefits. You can have 10% withheld automatically or pay quarterly estimated taxes.

Also remember you can't file for benefits until after your last day of work. And if you got any severance pay, that might affect when you can start receiving benefits. Washington ESD has specific rules about severance.

Filing online is definitely the way to go. The phone system is a nightmare - I spent 6 hours on hold last time I tried calling. The online application saves your progress so you can take breaks if needed.

Been through this process twice unfortunately. Make sure your bank account info is correct for direct deposit - it's much faster than waiting for a debit card to arrive in the mail. Also set up text notifications so you know when payments are processed.

If you do run into complications or your claim gets stuck, don't hesitate to reach out for help. I wish I had known about services like Claimyr earlier in my process. Would have saved me weeks of stress trying to get answers from Washington ESD.

One more tip - save or print your confirmation page after you submit your application! You'll get a confirmation number that you might need later. Also check your email for any correspondence from Washington ESD.

been through this process twice now and honestly the hardest part is just getting started. once you submit the initial application everything else follows a pretty clear timeline. washington esd sends you letters explaining next steps

One thing that confused me was the difference between filing the initial claim and filing weekly claims. You file the initial claim once to establish your benefit year, then file weekly claims every week to actually receive payments. Don't skip weeks thinking you'll just file when you need the money!

Don't forget you'll need to file weekly claims every week to actually receive benefits! Filing the initial application is just the first step. You'll get instructions on when and how to file your weekly claims.

Pro tip: if you worked in multiple states in the past 18 months, you might need to file an interstate claim. This can get complicated so make sure you mention all out-of-state work when filing.

The waiting can be nerve wracking but try not to stress too much. Washington ESD processes thousands of claims every week. As long as you provide accurate information and respond to any requests promptly, things usually work out fine.

Just wanted to add one more thing about getting help if needed - I tried calling Washington ESD directly for weeks with no success. The Claimyr service really was a game changer for me when I needed to speak with someone about my claim complications. Sometimes it's worth getting professional help navigating the system.

Good luck with your application! The unemployment system isn't perfect but it does work for most people. Just be patient with the process and don't hesitate to ask for help if you get stuck.

Watch out for the earnings deduction rules if you do any part-time work while collecting benefits. You can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit amount with no reduction, but anything over that reduces your benefit dollar for dollar.

The system can be really finicky about browser compatibility. Use Chrome or Firefox and make sure JavaScript is enabled. I had issues with Safari that caused my application to glitch out halfway through.

Keep copies of everything you submit. Screenshot your completed application, save confirmation numbers, print or save PDFs of all correspondence from Washington ESD. You'll need this stuff if there are any issues with your claim later.

If your employer contests your claim, don't panic. It's pretty common and doesn't automatically disqualify you. Washington ESD will investigate and make a determination. Just make sure you respond to any requests for information promptly.

Remember that your weekly benefit amount is based on your highest earning quarter in the base period, not your most recent job. So if you made more money at a previous job, that could actually increase your benefit amount.

Final piece of advice - be patient but persistent. The system is overloaded and things take time, but don't let issues slide hoping they'll resolve themselves. If something seems wrong with your claim, address it quickly. I used Claimyr twice last year when I couldn't get through the regular phone lines and it saved me weeks of delays.