How to open a new unemployment claim with Washington ESD - step by step help needed

First step is to go to esd.wa.gov and look for the 'Apply for Benefits' button. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment information for the last 18 months. Make sure you have your last employer's full business name and address - not just where you worked but their main office address. Also gather pay stubs if you have them, though they're not always required during the initial application.

The online system can be confusing at first. When you click Apply for Benefits, it'll take you through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) login first. If you don't have a SAW account, you'll need to create one. Then the actual unemployment application is pretty straightforward - it asks about your work history, reason for separation, and availability for work. The whole thing took me about 30 minutes when I did it last year.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone after you file, I discovered this service called Claimyr that actually gets you through to agents automatically. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. I was stuck trying to call for weeks about an issue with my claim and this got me through in like 20 minutes. Might be worth knowing about since new claims sometimes need clarification calls.

make sure you apply asap dont wait around like i did!! the sooner you file the sooner your benefit year starts and you can start getting money. also be ready to do weekly claims every week after you file your initial claim thats super important

Don't stress too much about gathering every single document before you start. The application will tell you what's required vs. optional. I filed mine with just basic info and they contacted me later for additional documentation they needed. It's better to get the claim started than to delay because you're trying to find every possible document.

One thing that tripped me up when I first filed - make sure you understand the job search requirements before you start receiving benefits. You'll need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of them. Some people don't realize this until later and then panic about retroactive documentation.

Just went through this process myself 3 months ago. One heads up - after you submit your initial application, it might go into 'adjudication' which basically means they're reviewing something about your claim. This can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Don't panic if this happens, it's pretty common especially for first-time filers.

The Washington ESD website has gotten better over the years but it's still not the most user-friendly. If you get stuck during the application, try using a different browser or clearing your cache. I had to switch from Chrome to Firefox to get mine to work properly.

Here's something I wish someone had told me - write down your login information for SecureAccess Washington somewhere safe! You'll be using it every week for your weekly claims and if you forget your password, the reset process can be a nightmare. I got locked out of my account and it took forever to get back in.

Quick tip about the work search log - start keeping track of your job search activities even before you file your claim. That way you'll already have documentation ready when your waiting week is over and you start receiving benefits. You can use WorkSourceWA.com to track applications or just keep your own spreadsheet.

The most important thing is just to get started. I know it seems overwhelming but honestly the application itself is pretty straightforward. The confusing part comes later with weekly claims and all the ongoing requirements. But you can't receive any benefits until you file that initial claim, so don't procrastinate!

One more thing about timing - your first weekly claim won't be due until after your waiting week is over. So if you file your initial claim this week, you'll wait one full week, then file your first weekly claim the following week. Don't stress if you don't see payment options right away.

if you worked for the same company for 2 years like you said youll definitely qualify assuming you were laid off and didnt quit or get fired for cause. the hardest part about filing unemployment isnt the application its dealing with ESD after that lol

Make sure you know exactly why you were laid off before you start the application. They'll ask for specific details about your separation and you want to be consistent. If your employer contests your claim later, any discrepancies could cause problems.

I filed my claim online last month and it was actually pretty smooth. The website walked me through everything step by step. The only thing that took time was gathering all my previous employer information because I had worked at a few different places in the past 18 months. Having pay stubs helped speed things up.

Last piece of advice - read all the information they send you after you file! I know it seems like a lot of paperwork and emails but there are important deadlines and requirements buried in there. Missing something because you didn't read the fine print could mess up your benefits.

You got this! Filing for unemployment seems scary at first but thousands of people do it successfully every week. Just take it one step at a time and don't be afraid to reach out for help when you need it. This forum is great for questions and there are other resources too like Claimyr for phone support if you get stuck trying to reach ESD.