How to get approved for unemployment in Washington - what documents do I need?

First thing - file your claim ASAP, don't wait! You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months. That includes employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. Pay stubs help but aren't required during initial filing. You can apply online at esd.wa.gov.

The approval process usually takes 2-3 weeks if everything goes smoothly. But if they need to verify your employment or reason for separation, it can take longer. Make sure you're honest about why you were laid off - they'll contact your employer to verify.

Pro tip: if you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone to check on your claim status, try using claimyr.com. I found out about it when I was stuck in adjudication for weeks. They have this system that helps you get through to an actual person instead of sitting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Make sure you understand the work search requirements too. You'll need to do job search activities every week and keep a log. It's not just applying for jobs - attending job fairs, networking events, and skills training all count.

ugh the whole system is such a mess. took me 6 weeks to get my first payment and they never explained the delay. good luck dealing with their broken phone system

One thing that helped me was making sure I had exact dates for all my previous jobs. Washington ESD is very particular about accuracy. If you're unsure about dates, check old W-2s or contact former employers for verification.

I'm in a similar situation, got laid off 3 weeks ago and still waiting for approval. The waiting is the worst part, especially when you have bills due. At least you're starting the process now instead of waiting like I did.

Important: Make sure you're available for work and actively seeking employment. Washington ESD requires you to be able and available for suitable work. If you have any restrictions (like only wanting part-time work), be upfront about it.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Washington has a one-week waiting period before benefits start, so even if approved immediately, you won't get paid for the first week.

Another tip about reaching Washington ESD - if you do need to call them and can't get through, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really does help. I was skeptical at first but it beats spending entire days trying to reach someone. Especially useful if your claim gets stuck somewhere in the system.

Quick question for OP - were you laid off or fired? The reason for separation matters a lot for eligibility. Layoffs due to lack of work are usually straightforward, but being fired for cause can disqualify you.

Make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for approval! This is super important - if you don't file weekly claims, you can lose benefits for those weeks even if you're eventually approved.

One more thing - if you have any questions during the process, don't hesitate to call. Yes the phone system sucks, but getting accurate information is worth the wait. I made assumptions about my claim and it caused delays.

For what it's worth, most people do get approved if they were legitimately laid off. The horror stories you hear online are usually edge cases or people who made mistakes on their application.

Final advice: Keep copies of everything you submit and take screenshots of your online account regularly. If there are any issues later, having documentation helps resolve them faster.

Just want to add that if you get stuck trying to reach Washington ESD like I did, that Claimyr thing people mentioned actually worked for me too. Got connected to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of calling all day. Worth checking out if you hit a wall.

Remember to check your messages regularly once you file! Washington ESD sometimes sends requests for additional information through your online account, and missing these can delay your claim significantly.

Overall, don't stress too much about the process. Yes, it can be bureaucratic and slow sometimes, but thousands of people get approved every week. Follow the rules, be honest on your application, and keep good records. You'll get through this!

Been following this thread - really helpful info here. I might be facing a layoff soon so good to know what to expect with the Washington ESD process.

Last tip - if you have direct deposit set up, payments come faster than waiting for a debit card in the mail. Something to consider when you're setting up your claim.