How to file for unemployment online - Washington ESD website confusion

Do I need to have my previous employer's info like their federal ID number or just basic details?

You'll need their business name, address, and your dates of employment. The system might ask for their federal EIN but it's not always required if you have the other details.

Good point, I'll gather all that stuff first. How long does it usually take to get approved?

If everything goes smoothly, about 1-2 weeks. But if there are any issues with your application it could go into adjudication and take much longer.

Thanks for the direct link! What kind of questions did they ask during the application?

Mostly about your work history for the last 18 months, reason for job separation, and whether you're able and available to work. They also ask about any severance pay or vacation payout you might have received.

What's Claimyr? Never heard of that before.

It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents when you need to call them. I used it when I had questions about my claim status and it actually worked - got connected to a real person instead of being on hold forever.

What kind of review? Should I be worried about that happening to me?

they called it adjudication - basically they had to verify some info with my employer. took like a month to clear up

Adjudication happens when there are questions about your eligibility or job separation. It's not necessarily bad but it does delay your payments while they investigate.

Good to know! Is there a best time of day too?

Early morning or late evening tend to work better - avoid peak business hours when everyone's trying to access the system.

You can file your unemployment claim first, but you'll need to register with WorkSource within a certain timeframe to meet the job search requirements. I think it's within your first few weeks of claiming.

OK thanks, I wasn't sure about the order of things.

I don't think the system saves partial applications. You'll probably need to start over, which is why it's important to have everything ready before you begin.

Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. Thanks for letting me know.

When do the weekly claims start? Right after I file the initial application?

Usually you'll get instructions about when to file your first weekly claim after your initial application is processed. It's typically the week after your waiting period.

What's the waiting period?

It's the first week of your claim where you don't get paid benefits, but you still need to file the weekly claim to establish your eligibility.

What if I don't remember the exact start date at a job? Will they reject my application?

Try to get as close as possible - they understand people don't always remember exact dates. If it's way off they might contact your employer to verify, but small discrepancies usually aren't a big deal.

Try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then attempt to log in again. SAW can be finicky with stored login data.

I'll try that, thanks!

Yes, they ask about job separation. Quitting for unsafe working conditions can still qualify you for benefits if you can document the situation. You might need to provide evidence during the application process.

OK good, I have some emails about the safety issues I reported to my supervisor.

Is that legit? Sounds too good to be true that they can actually get you through to Washington ESD.

I was skeptical too but it actually worked. They have some system that gets you in the callback queue automatically instead of having to sit on hold. Saved me so much frustration.

Yes, include all employment from the last 18 months regardless of which state it was in. Washington ESD needs the complete picture of your work history to calculate your benefits.

Good to know, I wasn't sure if they only cared about Washington jobs.

Smart advice, I wouldn't have thought of that. Did your appeal go OK?

Yeah eventually, but it took a while. Having my original application info made it much easier to argue my case.

No official Washington ESD mobile app as far as I know. You'll need to use the website, but it should work on mobile browsers if you need to access it from your phone.

OK thanks, just wanted to check since everything has apps these days.

Oh wow, I hadn't thought about that timing issue. My last day was Friday so I should be good to file now.

Yeah you should be fine then. Just make sure your claim start date reflects when you actually became unemployed.

I used it mainly for calling about my claim status after I filed, but I think they can help you get connected to agents for questions about the application process too. The agents can walk you through it if you get stuck.

That's helpful to know. I might try that if I run into issues.

That's great to hear! Any final tips for someone about to start the process?

Just be patient with the website - it's not the most user-friendly but it works. And definitely have all your employment info organized before you start.

Glad it worked out for you! Make sure to set a reminder for your weekly claims so you don't miss any.