How to fill unemployment form online - Washington ESD website confusing me

Thanks! Do I need to have exact dates for all my previous jobs or can I estimate?

Try to be as accurate as possible with dates and wages. The Washington ESD will verify this information with your employers, so estimates might cause delays in processing your claim.

That's what I'm worried about! Did you eventually get it to work?

yeah finally but i had to call them like 50 times to get help when it kept crashing

How does that work exactly? Do they just call for you?

They basically handle the calling and waiting part, then connect you when they get through to a real person. Much better than sitting on hold for hours.

That sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?

What if I was laid off due to budget cuts? Do I need to provide documentation?

Yes, any documentation helps. Layoff notice, final paycheck stub, anything from your employer explaining the reason for separation.

Good point, I'll double check the URL. Are there other official Washington ESD sites I should know about?

The main ones are esd.wa.gov for filing claims and worksourcewa.com for job search requirements. Stick to those.

How long does it typically take to get approved after submitting the application?

Usually 2-4 weeks if there are no issues. Sometimes longer if they need to verify your employment or if there are questions about your job separation.

Is direct deposit required or can you get paper checks?

you can get paper checks but direct deposit is way faster. like 2-3 days vs 7-10 days

That's awful! Did you ever find out why it took so long?

They said it was in 'adjudication' which basically means they're investigating something. Never got a clear answer on what they were investigating.

That's exactly the kind of situation where Claimyr would help - you could have called to check on your adjudication status instead of waiting in the dark.

Do I need to apply for a certain number of jobs each week?

Yes, you need to make at least 3 job search activities per week. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, or networking events. Keep detailed records.

That's smart advice. Should I also keep records of my weekly claims?

Absolutely. Keep records of everything - weekly claims, job search activities, any correspondence with Washington ESD. You never know when you might need to prove something.

The system should save your progress automatically, but I'd recommend trying to complete it in one sitting if possible. The session timeout can be unpredictable.

Thanks, I'll try to block out a few hours this weekend to get it all done at once.

That's reassuring to hear. I think I'm overthinking it because I'm nervous about making mistakes.

Totally understandable! Just remember you can always call them if you have questions after submitting. Well, if you can get through to them anyway.

Good to know. I'll make sure to be completely honest about everything.

Exactly. It's better to be accurate and have a small delay than to lie and face serious consequences later.

Which browser do you recommend?

I had the best luck with Chrome. Firefox worked okay too but Safari gave me problems.

Check your spam folder first. If it's not there, you might want to call Washington ESD to confirm they received your application.

I've been trying to call for days but can't get through. The phone lines are always busy.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. When you can't get through the normal way, they can help you connect with an agent to verify your application status.

Yes, you need to report severance pay. It might delay when your benefits start, but you still need to disclose it. Be honest about all compensation you received.

Thanks, better to be safe than sorry. I'll make sure to include that information.

That's what I'm worried about. I don't have exact start/end dates for some of my older jobs.

Do your best to be accurate but don't stress too much about being off by a few days. They mainly want to see your work pattern and earnings history.

How long did it take you to complete the whole application?

About 45 minutes to an hour. I had to stop and look up some employment dates but otherwise it was pretty smooth.

Good point. I'll write down my login information somewhere safe.

yeah and dont use the same password you use for other stuff. make it something unique for washington esd

Were you able to get through easily? I keep hearing the phone lines are always busy.

It took several tries but I eventually got through. Try calling right when they open at 8 AM - that's when you have the best chance.

Or use Claimyr like I mentioned before. Much easier than trying to time your calls perfectly and still probably not getting through.

Are the weekly claims as complicated as the initial application?

No, they're much simpler. Just a few questions about your work search activities and any money you earned that week. Takes about 5 minutes.