How to open unemployment claim with Washington ESD - need step by step help

First step is to go to the official Washington ESD website at esd.wa.gov and create your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account if you don't already have one. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked.

Make sure you file your claim as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. There's a waiting week but you want to get the process started right away. The longer you wait, the more benefits you might lose.

First thing - file as soon as possible! You can't get benefits for weeks before you file. Go to esd.wa.gov and look for 'Apply for Benefits.' You'll need your SSN, employment history for the last 18 months, and bank info for direct deposit. The process takes about 30-45 minutes online.

I was in the same situation last year and couldn't get through to Washington ESD on the phone for weeks. If you run into problems with your application or need to talk to someone, I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me connected to an agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

The Washington ESD system is honestly a nightmare to navigate. I spent two weeks trying to figure out why my claim was denied only to find out I made one small mistake on the application. Double check everything before you submit!

Make sure you have your separation paperwork ready too. If you were laid off, you should have gotten something from HR. Washington ESD will want to know the exact reason you're no longer working.

Pro tip: if you can't get through on the phone to Washington ESD (and you probably won't), there's a service called Claimyr that helps people reach agents. I used it when my claim got stuck and it actually worked. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

ugh the Washington ESD system is such a nightmare. took me 3 tries to get my application submitted without errors. make sure you save your progress frequently

After you submit your initial claim, you'll get a determination letter in about 1-2 weeks. This tells you if you're approved and what your weekly benefit amount will be. Don't panic if it takes longer - Washington ESD is still dealing with high volume.

Don't forget you have to file weekly claims every week even while waiting for your initial determination! I made that mistake and lost two weeks of benefits.

You'll also need to register with WorkSourceWA for the job search requirements. Don't forget this step or your benefits will get cut off.

just file online its not that hard, took me like 20 minutes

The job search requirement is 3 job contacts per week once you start receiving benefits. Keep detailed records from day one - employer name, contact method, date, position applied for.

Make sure your contact info is current in the system! I missed important notices because they had my old address. You can update it in your eServices account.

Here's the exact process: 1) Go to esd.wa.gov 2) Click 'Apply for Benefits' 3) Create SAW account or log in 4) Complete the initial application 5) Wait for your monetary determination 6) If approved, start filing weekly claims 7) Register with WorkSourceWA. The whole initial application takes about 30-45 minutes if you have all your info ready.

If you worked in multiple states in the past 18 months, you might need to file in a different state. Washington ESD will tell you during the application process if this applies to you.

Don't forget you have to file weekly claims every week to get paid, even during the waiting week. Set a reminder on your phone or calendar.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! I've been trying to get through to someone at Washington ESD for THREE MONTHS. They never answer calls, never respond to messages, it's like they don't want to help anyone.

honestly just dive in and start the application. the system will guide you through each step and you can always go back and edit things. dont overthink it too much

I filed my claim last month and it was pretty straightforward. The hardest part was remembering all my previous employers' addresses. Pro tip: if you don't know the exact address, just put the city and state, they'll figure it out.

Make sure you understand the difference between being laid off and being fired. If you were fired for misconduct you won't qualify for benefits. But if it was just lack of work or downsizing, you should be fine.

One more thing - if you have any side income or part-time work, make sure you report it on your weekly claims. Washington ESD will find out eventually and overpayments are a huge hassle to deal with.

The waiting week is eliminated now so you can get benefits starting with your first week of unemployment. That's one less thing to worry about!

One thing nobody mentioned is that you need to be actively looking for work. Keep a log of your job search activities because they might ask for it later.

The website can be glitchy sometimes. If you get error messages, try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser. I had to switch from Chrome to Firefox to get mine to work.

I remember being so confused when I first filed. The terminology is confusing - adjudication, monetary determination, waiting week, etc. Don't worry if you don't understand everything at first.

Bank account info! Don't forget you need your bank account and routing number for direct deposit. Much faster than waiting for a check.

Once you file, you'll get a letter in the mail with your claim details. Read it carefully because it will tell you exactly what you need to do next and when your first payment should arrive.

Just want to add that if you have any issues with your claim getting processed, don't give up. I know someone who used that Claimyr service mentioned earlier and it really helped them get their claim resolved quickly.

The most important thing is just to get started. Don't overthink it. The application will guide you through everything step by step.

Final tip: keep copies of everything you submit and save confirmation numbers. You never know when you might need them later.

If you get stuck anywhere in the process, the Claimyr service mentioned earlier really does work. I used it twice when I couldn't reach Washington ESD by phone. Worth checking out if you hit any roadblocks.

Just be patient with the whole process. Washington ESD has improved a lot since the pandemic but there can still be delays. Don't stress if everything doesn't happen immediately.

Make sure you understand the difference between your claim effective date and when you actually get paid. There's usually a processing delay even after approval.

I went through this same process 6 months ago. The hardest part was just getting started. Once you submit that initial application, you'll feel a lot better about the whole situation.

Don't forget to register with WorkSource if you haven't already. It's required for unemployment benefits and helps with job search documentation.

Good luck with your claim! The whole process is much more straightforward than it seems at first. You've got this!

One final tip - save or screenshot everything during the application process. Having documentation of what you submitted can be helpful if questions come up later.

If you need to reach Washington ESD for any reason during the process, I'll echo what others said about Claimyr. It's honestly a game changer for getting through their phone system. The demo video they mentioned really shows how much easier it makes things.