How to file for unemployment in Washington - confused about the process

Do I need pay stubs or just the basic info?

Just the basic employment info for the initial filing. They might ask for pay stubs later if there are any issues with your claim.

How long does it usually take to get approved?

If everything goes smoothly, about 2-3 weeks. But if your claim goes into adjudication for any reason, it can take much longer.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that but honestly anything that helps with the phone situation sounds good to me.

That's not exactly right. You should file as soon as possible but you won't lose all benefits if you're a few days late. There might be a waiting period though.

oh ok my bad, thought i heard that somewhere

Six weeks in adjudication is really long. Have you tried calling to check on the status?

TRIED calling? I've called hundreds of times and never gotten through to a human.

This is exactly why I started using Claimyr. They handle the calling process for you so you don't have to deal with busy signals and getting hung up on.

No, you need to file weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits. You'll also need to do job search activities and report them.

How many job searches do I need to do per week?

Currently it's 3 job search activities per week. You can do this through WorkSourceWA or on your own, but you need to keep records.

Three months with no payment usually means there's an issue that needs to be resolved. What does your account show when you log in?

It just says 'adjudication in progress' but no details about what the issue is.

Self-employed people usually don't qualify for regular UI unless they paid into the system. You might want to check if you're eligible for any other programs.

Darn, that's what I was afraid of. Thanks for the info.

Good luck! Take screenshots of everything as you go through the process in case you need them later.

And remember, if you run into issues reaching ESD by phone, Claimyr can help. Much less stressful than trying to call on your own.

That's encouraging! How much were you able to get per week if you don't mind me asking?

I'd rather not share exact numbers but it was based on my previous wages. You can use the benefit calculator on the ESD website to get an estimate.

Absolutely correct. Any income needs to be reported on your weekly claims, even if it's just a few hours of work.

yeah learned that the hard way, got an overpayment notice

I understand the frustration but the requirement helps ensure people are actively seeking employment. Just keep good records of your activities.

I guess, just feels like busy work when you're already stressed about being unemployed.

Great job! Keep an eye on your account for any messages or requests for additional information.

Will do, thanks again everyone for all the help and advice!

What do you mean by base period?

It's the time period they use to calculate your benefit amount, usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters. Since you worked out of state, they might need wage records from your previous state.

ID verification issues are common. You'll need to provide additional documentation through your ESD account or by mail.

I uploaded everything they asked for but it's still pending. So frustrating.

Good to know! When are weekly claims due each week?

you have to file by saturday night for the previous week, but earlier is always better

Yes, there are training programs available through WorkSource. Some allow you to continue receiving UI benefits while in training.

That sounds perfect, I'll look into that. Thanks!

I totally get the frustration. That's actually how I discovered Claimyr - I was spending hours trying to get through. Now I just use their service when I need to talk to someone at ESD.

How does that work exactly? Do they actually get you connected to a real person?

Yeah, they handle all the calling and waiting, then connect you when they get an agent on the line. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Congratulations! Remember to keep filing your weekly claims and doing your job searches.

That's awesome! Gives me hope that mine will come through soon too.