How to file unemployment claim with Washington ESD - complete beginner here

Everything is online now through the Washington ESD website. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. Start at esd.wa.gov and look for the 'Apply for Benefits' section.

File ASAP because there's a waiting week before you can get paid. The sooner you apply the sooner that week starts counting. Make sure you have accurate employment dates because any mistakes will delay your claim.

I was in the same boat a few months ago. The application itself takes about 30-45 minutes if you have all your info ready. But getting through to someone at Washington ESD when you have questions is nearly impossible with their phone system.

First thing - don't panic! Filing with Washington ESD isn't as complicated as it looks. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment info for the last 18 months (employer names, addresses, dates worked, gross wages). Start at esd.wa.gov and click 'Apply for Benefits.' The system will walk you through each step.

MAKE SURE YOU FILE WEEKLY CLAIMS! I cannot stress this enough. Even if your initial claim is still processing, you need to file your weekly claim every week or you'll lose those weeks of benefits permanently.

Make sure you apply as soon as possible! There's a waiting week in Washington so the sooner you file, the sooner your benefits can start. Don't wait thinking you might find a job quickly - you can always stop claiming if you get hired.

Just went through this process last month. The online application took me about 45 minutes to complete. Washington ESD asks for a lot of detail about your work history so have everything ready beforehand. You'll also need to set up your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account if you don't have one already.

The whole process usually takes 2-3 weeks for approval if there are no issues. You'll get a monetary determination letter showing your weekly benefit amount, then you wait for the actual approval. Some claims go into adjudication which can take longer.

I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD when I needed help with my initial application. Spent hours on hold only to get disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent in like 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Made the whole process so much less stressful.

dont forget about the job search requirements! you have to look for work and keep a log of where you applied. i think its 3 jobs per week minimum but check the current rules

Been through this twice now. Have your bank account info ready for direct deposit - much faster than waiting for checks. Also write down your PIN number somewhere safe because you'll need it every time you file weekly claims.

MAKE SURE YOU FILE YOUR WEEKLY CLAIMS ON TIME!!! This is super important. Even if your initial claim is still being processed, you need to file every week or you'll lose those weeks forever. I learned this the hard way and lost 3 weeks of benefits.

The Washington ESD website can be confusing at first but there's a good tutorial section. Take your time filling out the application - rushing leads to mistakes that can delay your claim for weeks.

If you worked for multiple employers recently make sure you list ALL of them. I forgot about a part-time job from 8 months ago and it delayed my claim because the wages didn't match what they had on file.

also you'll need to register with WorkSource Washington for the job search requirements. its another website but they'll tell you about it during the application process

ugh the washington esd system is so outdated and confusing. took me 3 tries to get my application submitted without errors. make sure you have a good internet connection because it times out if you take too long

One more tip - be completely honest about why you were laid off. Washington ESD will contact your employer anyway, so any inconsistencies will just delay your claim. If it was performance related or you quit, be upfront about it.

The Washington ESD website can be glitchy sometimes, especially on Sundays when everyone's filing their weekly claims. If you get error messages, try again later or use a different browser.

After you submit your application, you'll get a determination letter in the mail within 1-2 weeks. This tells you if you're approved and what your weekly benefit amount will be. Keep an eye out for it because it has important info about your claim.

Don't get discouraged if your claim goes into adjudication. Mine did because I had worked in another state previously and it took about 3 weeks to resolve. Just keep filing your weekly claims while you wait.

One thing they don't tell you upfront - you might need to register with WorkSource for job search assistance. It's not always required but they'll let you know if you need to do it.

Update on the Claimyr thing - I used them again last week when I had questions about my benefit year ending. Got through to an actual Washington ESD person in like 10 minutes instead of spending hours on hold. Definitely worth it when you're stuck.

Whatever you do, keep records of EVERYTHING. Save emails, print confirmation pages, write down dates and times when you call. If there are any issues later, you'll be glad you have documentation.

If you do need to call Washington ESD and can't get through, definitely try that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. I was skeptical at first but it really works. Saved me hours of frustration trying to reach someone.

I filed my claim about 6 months ago and the whole process was pretty smooth. The key is just having all your info organized before you start. Don't try to rush through it or you might make mistakes that cause delays.

make sure you understand the difference between your benefit year and your claim. the benefit year is 52 weeks from when you first file. you can stop and start claims within that year if you find work and then get laid off again

Also be prepared for the identity verification process. Washington ESD has gotten stricter about this due to fraud issues. You might need to upload photos of your ID and answer security questions.

One thing that confused me was the earnings deduction. If you do any part-time work while collecting benefits, you have to report it and they'll reduce your payment accordingly. Better to report everything than risk an overpayment later.

The Washington ESD mobile app is actually pretty decent for filing weekly claims once you get set up. Much easier than using the website on your phone.

Don't forget that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them later, but definitely factor that into your budgeting.

My advice is to read everything carefully during the application. Washington ESD asks some questions in ways that might seem confusing, but they're important for determining your eligibility.

Last piece of advice - be patient with the process. Washington ESD processes thousands of claims every week and sometimes things take longer than expected. As long as you file your weekly claims and respond to any requests for information, you'll be okay.

Make sure you understand the difference between your claim effective date and when you can actually start receiving benefits. There's often confusion about this timing.

Don't panic if your claim shows 'pending' for a while. Mine took almost 3 weeks to process and I was freaking out thinking I did something wrong. Sometimes it just takes time, especially if they're backed up.

Pro tip: screenshot or print your confirmation page after you submit the application. You'll get a confirmation number that you might need later for reference.

The hardest part for me was figuring out my 'base period' wages. They use a specific time frame to calculate your benefits and it's not just your most recent job. Look up the base period explanation on their website.

I used claimyr when my claim got stuck in adjudication hell. The Washington ESD agent explained my case had been sitting unassigned for weeks. Got it resolved the same day I finally talked to someone.

Last piece of advice - be patient but persistent. The system is frustrating but most people do eventually get their benefits. Just make sure you keep filing weekly claims no matter what happens with your initial application.