How to file for unemployment online through Washington ESD - step by step help needed

First thing you need to do is go to esd.wa.gov and look for the 'Apply for Benefits' button. You'll need to create a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account if you don't already have one. Make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment information for the last 18 months before you start.

You'll want to go to secure.esd.wa.gov first and create your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account if you don't already have one. That's the portal for everything Washington ESD related. Once you're logged in, look for the 'Apply for Benefits' link. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates of employment.

The online application is pretty straightforward once you get into the system. Make sure you have your last day of work and the reason you were separated. If you were laid off due to lack of work that's usually the easiest to process. The whole thing took me about 30 minutes when I filed last year.

One thing that really helped me when I was struggling to get through to Washington ESD was using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have this service that helps you actually reach a live agent instead of getting stuck in the phone queue forever. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call myself.

The online application is pretty straightforward once you get started. Just take your time and don't rush through it. You can save your progress and come back to it if needed.

Had to file myself recently and honestly the hardest part was just getting through on the phone when I had questions. The website kept timing out and I couldn't figure out one section. Ended up using claimyr.com to get through to an actual Washington ESD agent who walked me through it. Worth checking out their demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ if you run into issues.

Key things to remember when filing online: 1) You can only apply for one week at a time initially, 2) Make sure your reason for separation is accurate (laid off vs fired vs quit), 3) Double-check all your personal info because errors can delay processing, 4) You'll get a confirmation number - write it down!

MAKE SURE you file your claim the same week you become unemployed! I made the mistake of waiting two weeks thinking I needed to job search first and I lost those two weeks of benefits. Washington ESD has a waiting week but you still need to file right away.

The Washington ESD website can be really confusing. After you create your SAW account, log in and look for the unemployment section. There should be a big button that says something like 'File New Claim' or 'Apply for Benefits.' Don't click on weekly claims until after you've filed your initial application.

ugh i tried filing online last week and it kept crashing on me. finally got through but now my claim is stuck in some kind of review process

just filed mine last month, pretty easy once you figure out where to go. took maybe 20 minutes total. hardest part was remembering all my job info from the past year and a half

Here's the step by step process: 1) Go to secure.esd.wa.gov 2) Create SAW account or log in 3) Click 'Apply for Benefits' 4) Complete application with employment history 5) Submit application 6) Wait for determination letter 7) Start filing weekly claims. The key is having accurate employment information for the last 18 months.

Make sure you file your claim within the first week after your job ends. I waited two weeks thinking I might get called back and it created complications with my benefit year start date.

Make sure you have a good internet connection when you file because the system can be slow and if it times out you might lose your information and have to start over. I learned this the hard way.

The Washington ESD online system is actually pretty user-friendly compared to other states I've heard about. Just make sure you're on the official .gov site and not some third-party website that might charge you fees.

One thing that confused me was the work search requirements. Do I need to start looking for jobs immediately or can I wait until my claim is approved?

Pro tip: screenshot every page of your application as you go through it. I had a technical error that wiped out half my info and had to start over. Screenshots saved me the second time around.

One thing to remember is that Washington ESD will ask you about your availability to work and job search activities. Even for your first weekly claim you'll need to show you're actively looking for work, so start keeping track of your job applications right away.

Also be prepared for the system to ask you a lot of detailed questions about why you lost your job. If you were laid off, that's straightforward, but if there were any performance issues or you quit, they'll want specifics. Be honest because they verify everything with your employer.

If you run into any issues during the application process or after you file, definitely consider using Claimyr to get through to a Washington ESD representative. I was stuck for weeks trying to get answers and their service got me connected in minutes instead of hours of calling.

Don't forget that after you file your initial claim, you'll need to register with WorkSource Washington for the job search requirements. It's a separate system but they'll tell you about it in your determination letter.

still stuck waiting for my claim to process... thinking about trying that claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier. anyone else used it?

Don't forget you'll need to file weekly claims every week even while your initial application is being processed. Miss a week and you can lose benefits for that week.

The whole system is so broken. Been trying to get through to them for weeks about an issue with my claim and can never reach anyone. It's like they don't want to help people.

For what it's worth, I filed online about 6 months ago and it went pretty smoothly. Took about 3 weeks to get my first payment but no major issues. The key is having all your paperwork organized before you start.

The Washington ESD online system is definitely the fastest way to file. I tried calling when I first became unemployed and spent 3 hours on hold just to be told to file online anyway. The website works pretty well once you get the hang of it.

Watch out for the identity verification step. They might ask you to upload documents to prove who you are. Have a clear photo of your driver's license and Social Security card ready just in case.

one more thing - after you submit your application you should get a confirmation number. write it down somewhere safe in case you need to reference it later

Quick question - if I worked in another state before moving to Washington, do I still file with Washington ESD or the other state?

The online application asks about union membership and pension benefits. Make sure you answer those questions accurately because they can affect your benefit amount.

honestly the online filing was the easy part for me. its dealing with all the follow up stuff and getting questions answered thats been a nightmare. definitely recommend having that claimyr service bookmarked just in case

One more tip - write down your Social Security number, confirmation numbers, and any case numbers they give you. You'll need to reference them in future communications.

Good luck with your claim! The online system really isn't that bad once you get started. Just take it step by step and don't panic if it seems complicated at first.

Last thing - make sure you check your email regularly after filing. Washington ESD sends important notifications there and you don't want to miss deadlines for responding to requests for information.

Final reminder - the sooner you file, the sooner your waiting week starts. Even if you think you might find a job quickly, it's better to have the claim in place. You can always cancel it later if you don't need it, but you can't backdate benefits for weeks you didn't claim.