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Michael Adams

How to register with WorkSourceWA for Washington ESD unemployment benefits

I just filed my unemployment claim with Washington ESD and they're telling me I need to register with WorkSourceWA but I'm completely lost on how to do this. The website is confusing and I can't figure out where to start. Is this required for all unemployment claims? What happens if I don't register? I'm worried about messing up my benefits.

Yes, you definitely need to register with WorkSourceWA if you're collecting unemployment benefits. Go to worksourcewa.com and create an account. You'll need to complete your profile and upload a resume. It's required for job search compliance.

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Thank you! Do I need to register immediately or do I have time to figure this out?

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You should register as soon as possible. Washington ESD expects you to be actively looking for work and this is part of proving that.

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I struggled with this too when I first filed. The WorkSourceWA registration is mandatory for most unemployment claims. Here's what you need to do: 1) Go to worksourcewa.com 2) Click 'Register' 3) Fill out your personal info 4) Upload your resume 5) Complete the skills assessment. The whole process takes about 30-45 minutes.

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This is super helpful! I was dreading having to figure this out on my own.

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Do you have to keep using WorkSourceWA after you register or is it just a one-time thing?

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You need to keep using it to log your job search activities. Washington ESD checks this during audits.

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I had issues getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions about the WorkSourceWA requirement. Ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually reach an agent who explained everything. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made the whole process way less stressful.

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Never heard of Claimyr before. Does it actually work for reaching Washington ESD?

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Yeah, it connects you with real Washington ESD agents. Much better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.

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I'm skeptical of these services but if it actually works...

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WorkSourceWA registration is pretty straightforward once you get started. Make sure you have your work history ready - they ask for detailed employment info going back several years. Also upload a current resume even if it's not perfect.

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How detailed does the work history need to be? Like exact dates and addresses?

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Yes, they want specific dates, company names, addresses, and job duties. It's used to match you with job opportunities.

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ugh this whole system is so confusing!! why do they make everything so complicated when people are already stressed about being unemployed?? just want my benefits!

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I know it's frustrating but it's really not that bad once you get through it. The WorkSourceWA registration is actually helpful for finding jobs.

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i guess but it feels like jumping through hoops for no reason

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One thing to note - if you're on standby status (like temporary layoff expecting to return to work), you might not need to register with WorkSourceWA. But most regular unemployment claims require it. Check your claim determination letter for specific requirements.

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Good point! I was on standby and didn't have to do the WorkSourceWA thing.

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How do I know if I'm on standby status? My employer said the layoff might be temporary but nothing's guaranteed.

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If you're not sure, register anyway. It's better to be safe than risk your benefits being stopped.

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I registered with WorkSourceWA last month and it wasn't as bad as I expected. The hardest part was uploading my resume - had to convert it to PDF first. Make sure your file isn't too big or it won't upload.

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What's the file size limit? My resume is pretty long with all my job history.

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I think it's 2MB max. You might need to trim it down or compress the PDF.

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The WorkSourceWA system crashes a lot during peak hours. Try registering early morning or late evening when fewer people are online. Saved me a lot of frustration.

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Thanks for the tip! I'll try tonight after dinner.

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Yeah the site is definitely overloaded during business hours. Learned that the hard way.

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Quick question - do they send you a confirmation email after you register with WorkSourceWA? I completed everything but never got an email and I'm worried it didn't go through.

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You should get a confirmation email. Check your spam folder. If you can log back into your WorkSourceWA account, that means it worked.

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Found it in spam! Thanks for the heads up.

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For anyone still having trouble reaching Washington ESD about WorkSourceWA requirements, I had good luck with Claimyr again yesterday. They helped me understand which job search activities count toward my weekly requirements. Worth checking out if you're stuck.

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How much does Claimyr cost? Is it worth it?

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It was worth it for me to get clear answers instead of guessing. Check their website for current info.

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I've been using WorkSourceWA for job searching even before I got laid off. It's actually not terrible - they have decent job listings and the skills assessments can help you figure out what you're qualified for. The integration with unemployment is just a bonus.

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That's encouraging! Maybe this will actually help me find a new job faster.

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Definitely! I got a couple interviews through listings I found on there.

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Make sure you keep track of your WorkSourceWA username and password! I forgot mine and had to go through the whole password reset process which was a pain. Write it down somewhere safe.

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Good advice. I use a password manager for all this stuff now.

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Smart! I should probably do that too.

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Does anyone know if you can register with WorkSourceWA on your phone or does it have to be on a computer? I don't have a laptop right now.

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You can do it on your phone but it's easier on a computer, especially for uploading your resume. Libraries have free computer access if you need it.

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Thanks! I'll try the library.

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I was so confused about the job search requirements until I talked to someone at Washington ESD. You need to do 3 job search activities per week and at least one has to be through WorkSourceWA. Registration is just the first step.

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Wait, so I have to actively apply for jobs through WorkSourceWA every week? I thought registration was enough.

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Yeah, you need to keep using it. But you can also count other job search activities like networking, contacting employers directly, etc.

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This is exactly why I used Claimyr to talk to an agent. Got all the details straight from Washington ESD.

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Just finished my WorkSourceWA registration! Thanks everyone for the help. The process was actually pretty smooth once I got started. Now I need to figure out this weekly job search logging thing...

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Congrats! The job search logging is in the same system. You'll get the hang of it.

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Glad to hear it went well! I'm going to tackle mine this weekend.

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One more tip - when you register with WorkSourceWA, make sure your contact information matches exactly what you have on file with Washington ESD. Any discrepancies can cause delays or issues with your benefits.

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This is important! I had a different phone number and it caused problems.

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Good to know. I'll double-check everything before I submit.

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The skills assessment part of WorkSourceWA registration is optional but I'd recommend doing it. It helps match you with better job opportunities and shows you're serious about finding work if Washington ESD ever audits your claim.

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How long does the skills assessment take?

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Maybe 15-20 minutes depending on how many skills you have. It's pretty straightforward.

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I'm still confused about something - do I need to register with WorkSourceWA before I file my first weekly claim or can I do it after? I don't want to mess up my benefits timing.

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You should register as soon as possible after filing your initial claim. Don't wait until your first weekly claim is due. The sooner the better.

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Thanks! I'll do it today then.

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For what it's worth, I found the WorkSourceWA registration pretty user-friendly compared to other government websites. The instructions are clear and it walks you through each step. Don't overthink it!

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That's reassuring! I've been putting it off because I expected it to be complicated.

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Nah, you'll be fine. Just set aside an hour and work through it step by step.

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Last thing - make sure you print or screenshot your WorkSourceWA registration confirmation page. Keep it with your other unemployment paperwork just in case you need to prove you registered.

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Great advice! I keep a folder with all my unemployment documents.

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Thanks everyone! This thread has been super helpful. I feel much more confident about tackling the registration now.

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Just wanted to add that if you run into technical issues during WorkSourceWA registration (like the site timing out or forms not saving), don't panic! Clear your browser cache and try again in a different browser. I had to switch from Chrome to Firefox to get mine to work properly. Also, make sure you're using a strong internet connection - I learned that the hard way when my registration got stuck halfway through on slow wifi.

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Thanks for the browser tip! I was getting frustrated when the page kept freezing on me. Will try Firefox if I run into issues again. The wifi connection thing is so true - I lost my progress twice before I realized my connection was spotty.

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