How to request unemployment benefits through Washington ESD - complete beginner
I've never filed for unemployment before and honestly have no clue where to start with requesting benefits from Washington ESD. Got laid off last Friday and my boss mentioned I should apply right away but I'm completely overwhelmed by all the websites and forms. Do I go to the main Washington ESD website? Do I need to create some kind of account first? I keep seeing references to something called SecureAccess Washington but I'm not sure if that's separate or the same thing. Also heard there are weekly requirements after you file - is that true? Really just need someone to walk me through the basic steps of how to actually request these benefits because I'm stressed about doing something wrong and messing up my claim.
41 comments
Join the conversation
Omar Hassan
First step is creating your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account at secureaccess.wa.gov if you don't have one already. This is the login you'll use for all Washington ESD services. Once that's set up, go to esd.wa.gov and look for the 'Apply for Benefits' link. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked.
0 coins
Freya Pedersen
•Thank you! So the SAW account is separate from the actual unemployment application? I was getting confused about that part.
0 coins
Omar Hassan
•Yes, SAW is just the login system Washington state uses for multiple services. Think of it like the front door - once you're logged in through SAW, then you access the actual unemployment application through Washington ESD's system.
0 coins
Chloe Anderson
Make sure you apply within the first week after your last day of work. Washington ESD has a waiting week so you won't get paid for your first week anyway, but if you wait too long you could lose out on benefits entirely. The application itself takes about 30-45 minutes if you have all your documents ready.
0 coins
Diego Vargas
•What documents do you need exactly? I got laid off yesterday and want to make sure I have everything before I start.
0 coins
Chloe Anderson
•You'll need employment info for last 18 months, your Social Security card or W-2, bank account info for direct deposit, and if you're not a US citizen you'll need work authorization documents.
0 coins
CosmicCruiser
Just went through this process myself last month. The hardest part honestly was getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions. Their phone lines are constantly busy and the online contact forms take forever to get responses. I spent literally hours trying to call them about a simple question on my application. Eventually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration.
0 coins
Freya Pedersen
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already stressed about money with being unemployed.
0 coins
CosmicCruiser
•Honestly I was skeptical about paying for something like that too, but after spending 6 hours trying to get through on my own it was worth it. Way less than what I would have made working those 6 hours anyway.
0 coins
Anastasia Fedorov
•Never heard of that service but might be worth looking into. The Washington ESD phone system is absolutely terrible.
0 coins
Sean Doyle
DONT FORGET ABOUT THE WEEKLY CLAIMS! This is super important - after you file your initial application you have to file a weekly claim every week to actually get paid. Most people miss this and wonder why they're not getting money. You claim the week Sunday through Saturday and the claim is usually available starting Sunday morning.
0 coins
Freya Pedersen
•Wait so filing the initial application isn't enough? I have to do something every single week?
0 coins
Sean Doyle
•Exactly! The initial application just establishes your claim. To actually get payments you have to certify each week that you're still unemployed and looking for work. It's called your weekly claim and takes about 5 minutes each week.
0 coins
Zara Rashid
•And make sure you do it on time every week. If you miss filing your weekly claim you could lose that week's benefits permanently.
0 coins
Luca Romano
Also be prepared for the job search requirements. Washington ESD requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of all your activities. You can do this through WorkSourceWA.com or keep your own records, but they can ask to see proof at any time.
0 coins
Freya Pedersen
•What counts as a job search contact? Just applying to jobs online?
0 coins
Luca Romano
•Job applications, networking contacts, career fairs, interviews, even some training activities can count. The key is keeping detailed records with dates, company names, and what you did.
0 coins
Nia Jackson
•I got audited for my job search log after 8 weeks and had to provide documentation for everything. Keep good records from day one!
0 coins
NebulaNova
One thing nobody told me - your first payment can take 2-3 weeks after you file depending on how long Washington ESD takes to process your claim. Don't expect money immediately. And if there are any issues with your application it goes into something called adjudication which can add several more weeks.
0 coins
Freya Pedersen
•What kind of issues cause adjudication? I'm worried I might have some problem I don't know about.
0 coins
NebulaNova
•Common things are quit vs laid off disputes with your employer, questions about your availability to work, or wage discrepancies. Most get resolved eventually but it definitely delays payments.
0 coins
Mateo Hernandez
been there done that. the whole process is confusing AF but once you get through it the first time it's not too bad. just make sure you answer all the questions honestly and don't try to game the system because they will catch you eventually
0 coins
Aisha Khan
•This is so true. I know someone who lied about being available for work and got hit with an overpayment notice months later. Had to pay everything back plus penalties.
0 coins
Ethan Taylor
The website interface is honestly pretty terrible but functional. Don't get frustrated if it seems confusing - it's not just you. Take your time with each page and read everything carefully. I rushed through my first application and made mistakes that caused delays.
0 coins
Freya Pedersen
•Good to know it's not just me finding the website confusing. I was feeling pretty stupid trying to navigate it.
0 coins
Yuki Ito
•The Washington ESD website definitely feels like it was designed in 2005. But once you learn where everything is it gets easier.
0 coins
Carmen Lopez
Pro tip: apply early in the morning or late at night when fewer people are using the system. I had timeout errors trying to submit my application during peak hours and had to start over twice.
0 coins
AstroAdventurer
•Yes! I learned this the hard way. Lost all my progress on the application because the system crashed during lunch hour.
0 coins
Andre Dupont
Make sure you have a good phone number on file because Washington ESD will call you if they need clarification on anything. And answer when they call! They don't leave detailed voicemails and it can be hard to call them back.
0 coins
Freya Pedersen
•Do they call from a specific number or just random Washington ESD numbers?
0 coins
Andre Dupont
•Usually shows up as the main Washington ESD number but sometimes it's different extensions. I just answer any call from Olympia area codes now when I'm expecting something from them.
0 coins
Zoe Papanikolaou
•I missed their call once and it took me three weeks to get back in touch with them. Definitely answer when they call!
0 coins
Jamal Wilson
Another vote for that Claimyr service mentioned earlier. Used it myself when I couldn't get through about a disqualification issue. Worked exactly like they show in their demo video. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person and their regular phone system makes that nearly impossible.
0 coins
Freya Pedersen
•I'm definitely going to check that out if I run into problems. This whole process seems like there are so many ways for things to go wrong.
0 coins
Mei Lin
•Smart thinking. Better to have options available before you need them rather than scrambling when there's an issue with your claim.
0 coins
Liam Fitzgerald
Don't stress too much about making it perfect. Thousands of people file for unemployment every week and most get through the process just fine. The Washington ESD staff are used to dealing with confused applicants and they're generally helpful when you can reach them.
0 coins
Freya Pedersen
•Thanks for the reassurance. I've been really anxious about messing this up somehow.
0 coins
GalacticGuru
•You've got this! Just take it one step at a time and don't hesitate to ask questions if you get stuck.
0 coins
Amara Nnamani
Last piece of advice - keep copies of everything. Screenshot confirmation pages, print important documents, save emails. If anything goes wrong later you'll want to have proof of what you submitted and when.
0 coins
Freya Pedersen
•Great point. I'll make sure to document everything as I go through the process. Thank you all so much for the help - feeling much more confident about this now!
0 coins
Giovanni Mancini
•Good luck! Feel free to post back here if you run into any specific issues. This community is pretty good about helping each other out with Washington ESD problems.
0 coins