How to file unemployment claim in Washington - complete beginner here

First thing you need to do is go to the Washington ESD website and create an account. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months. Make sure you have your employer's information including their business name and address. The process usually takes about 20-30 minutes to complete the initial application.

The website is esd.wa.gov if you're looking for it. You'll want to click on 'Apply for Benefits' and then follow the prompts. Fair warning though - the system can be slow sometimes, especially during peak hours.

Also make sure you file your claim as soon as possible. There's a waiting period and benefits are only backdated to when you file, not when you actually lost your job. I learned this the hard way and lost out on a week of benefits.

Once you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits. Don't forget to do this even if your claim is still pending - they require you to keep filing weekly to maintain eligibility.

Just went through this process last month and it was pretty straightforward. One thing to note - they'll ask about the reason for your job separation. Since you were laid off, that should be fine. If you were fired or quit, the process can be more complicated.

One more thing - after you file, you might get a notice that your claim is in 'adjudication.' This just means they're reviewing your claim and verifying information with your employer. It can take a few weeks but don't panic if you see this status.

Don't forget about the job search requirements! You'll need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep records of your activities. They can audit this so make sure you're actually doing the searches.

If you run into issues with getting through to Washington ESD by phone (and trust me, you probably will), I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get connected to an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call.

The whole process is honestly pretty user-friendly once you get started. The hardest part is just gathering all your employment information. I keep a spreadsheet now with all my job history just in case I ever need to file again.

Make sure you have your bank account information ready too if you want direct deposit. It's much faster than waiting for checks in the mail.

One heads up - if your claim gets denied for any reason, don't give up. You can appeal the decision. I had to appeal mine because of a miscommunication with my employer and I eventually got it resolved.

The unemployment amount you receive is based on your earnings in the past year. They have a formula that calculates your weekly benefit amount. Don't expect it to replace your full salary though - it's usually about 50-60% of what you were making.

Also be aware that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them at the end of the year. I always choose to have them withheld so I don't get hit with a big tax bill.

The system will ask you to create a WorkSourceWA account too. This is for the job search tracking and they have some decent resources for finding employment. It's all connected to your unemployment claim.

I went through this whole process about 8 months ago and the thing that helped me most was just staying organized. Keep copies of everything - your application, any correspondence from Washington ESD, your job search records, everything.

If you have any issues or questions after filing, the Claimyr service I mentioned earlier is really helpful for getting through to Washington ESD. Their phone lines are constantly busy but Claimyr can get you connected without the endless hold times.

One last thing - don't be discouraged if the process seems slow. Washington ESD processes thousands of claims and it just takes time. As long as you keep filing your weekly claims and meet the requirements, you should be fine.

Just to recap the main steps: 1) Go to esd.wa.gov, 2) Create account and file initial claim, 3) File weekly claims every week, 4) Do your job searches, 5) Keep records of everything. You got this!

Oh and one more resource - if you need help with the job search requirements or finding work, WorkSourceWA has career counselors who can help. They're pretty good at what they do.

Been following this thread and just wanted to say this is exactly the kind of information I wish I had when I first filed. You all are being super helpful to someone who's clearly stressed about their situation.