How to file weekly unemployment benefits claim with Washington ESD online system?

You'll log into your Washington ESD account through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) and look for the 'Weekly Claim' section. It's usually pretty prominent on your dashboard once you're logged in. Make sure you have your work search activities documented because you'll need to report those.

The weekly claim filing is pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. You'll answer questions about whether you worked, how much you earned, if you were available for work, and your job search activities. Make sure you're keeping track of your job applications because Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week.

I had trouble reaching Washington ESD when I had questions about my weekly claims, but I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through 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. Really saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.

Make sure you file your weekly claim during the designated filing period, which is usually Sunday through Saturday for the previous week. The system might not let you file outside of that window. Also, be very careful about reporting any work or income accurately - even small amounts need to be reported.

The weekly claim questions are pretty much the same every week. Did you work? How much did you earn? Were you able and available for work? What job search activities did you do? Once you do it a few times it becomes routine.

PRO TIP: File your weekly claim as early as possible on Sunday. The system can get overwhelmed later in the week and you might experience delays or crashes. I always do mine first thing Sunday morning.

Don't forget that you need to keep detailed records of your job search activities. Washington ESD can audit your claim at any time and ask for proof of your job searches. I keep a spreadsheet with company names, dates, positions applied for, and contact information.

If you're having trouble with the online system, there's also a phone option for filing weekly claims, but honestly the website is much faster once you figure it out. The phone system can take forever.

Make sure your contact information is up to date in your Washington ESD account before you start filing weekly claims. If they need to reach you about anything, outdated info can cause delays in your payments.

One thing that confused me at first - when they ask about 'able and available for work' that means you weren't sick, didn't turn down job offers, and were genuinely ready to start work if offered. It's not just about being physically present.

The system usually processes payments pretty quickly once you file your weekly claim. I typically see my deposit within 2-3 business days if there are no issues with my claim.

If you ever need to make changes to a weekly claim you already submitted, you'll probably need to call Washington ESD. The online system doesn't usually let you edit once it's filed. That's another reason to double-check everything before submitting.

Just remember that filing your weekly claim is basically certifying that you're following all the unemployment requirements. Take it seriously because false information can result in penalties or having to pay back benefits.

One last tip - if you're on standby status with your employer, the weekly claim process is a bit different. You'll need to report your standby status each week. Just mentioning in case that applies to your situation.