How to sign up for unemployment benefits in Washington - complete walkthrough needed

Thank you! Do I need pay stubs or can I just estimate my wages? I don't have all my old pay stubs saved.

You can estimate if you don't have exact numbers, but try to be as accurate as possible. Washington ESD will verify your wages with your employers anyway.

Thank you! Do I need pay stubs or will they verify my wages some other way?

Washington ESD gets your wage information directly from employers through their quarterly reports, so you don't need pay stubs for the application. Just make sure you list all your jobs accurately.

What do you mean by waiting week? I won't get anything for the first week?

yeah the first week you file is unpaid, its just how the system works. so the sooner you apply the sooner you start that clock

Actually, I found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to Washington ESD when I was stuck. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made the whole process so much easier.

Interesting, I'll have to look into that. Getting hung up on constantly is driving me crazy.

This is super helpful! How do I know if my application was approved?

You'll get a determination letter in your online account and by mail. It can take 2-4 weeks depending on whether your claim needs adjudication. Keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for approval.

What happens if they need to do adjudication? That sounds scary.

Adjudication just means they need to review your claim for eligibility. Common reasons include job separation circumstances or wages from multiple states. It adds time but doesn't mean denial.

I was definitely laid off due to budget cuts, so that should be okay right?

Yes, layoffs are typically the easiest to get approved. Just make sure your employer reports it the same way when Washington ESD contacts them.

It's actually 3 job search activities per week, and they need to be documented in WorkSourceWA. This includes applying for jobs, attending job fairs, or networking activities.

Do I need to register with WorkSourceWA separately or is that part of the unemployment application?

You register separately at WorkSourceWA.com. It's required for most unemployment claimants and where you'll log your job search activities.

Oh good, I was worried about the reason. My manager said it was just slow business, nothing I did wrong.

Yeah layoffs are straightforward, unlike when people get fired for cause. You should be fine.

What kind of documents are they asking for? I'm worried I won't have what they need.

They wanted my separation notice, ID verification, and then more employment verification. It never ends!

This is exactly why I used Claimyr to get through to an actual agent. Sometimes you need someone to explain what's really going on with your claim instead of just waiting.

Yes, list every employer from the past 18 months even if you only worked there briefly. Washington ESD needs the complete picture to calculate your benefit amount correctly.

Okay, that makes sense. One job was only for 2 weeks - should I still include it?

Absolutely include it. Even short-term employment can affect your claim, and it's better to over-report than miss something.

How many jobs do I need to apply for each week? I heard there's a minimum requirement.

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities. This includes applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking, etc.

Make sure you register with WorkSource WA too - that's a requirement for keeping your benefits active.

That sounds helpful! Did you have to pay for it or is it free?

It's not free but honestly worth it when you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD. Way better than spending entire days redialing.

I used Claimyr too when I couldn't figure out why my weekly claims weren't going through. Got connected to an agent in like 20 minutes instead of calling for days.

If everything goes smoothly, you might see your first payment 3-4 weeks after applying. Remember there's a waiting week, plus processing time, plus they often hold the first payment until the second week is filed.

That's longer than I hoped but good to know what to expect.

Is SAW different from the regular Washington ESD login?

Yes, SAW is the state's unified login system. You'll use it for unemployment, but also other state services. Just go to secureaccess.wa.gov to set it up.

Good tip! What time of day works best?

i usually do mine tuesday or wednesday mornings and never have issues

Yes, you should file your first weekly claim for the week you applied. The system will prompt you when it's time, usually starting the Sunday after you submit your initial application.

What if I make a mistake on the weekly claim? Can I fix it later?

Minor mistakes can often be corrected by calling Washington ESD, but it's better to be careful the first time since phone support is limited.

What kind of questions do they ask about availability?

Things like are you able to work full time, are you available to start immediately, any restrictions on the type of work you can do. Be honest but don't over-explain.

This is so important! I made the mistake of mentioning I was thinking about going back to school and they flagged my claim for review.

The Washington ESD website works on mobile browsers, though it's not perfectly optimized. You can also visit a WorkSource office for computer access and help with the application.

Thank you! I didn't know about the WorkSource offices.

How long does it take to get that letter?

Usually within a week or two of filing your claim. Keep checking your eServices account for updates.

How much faster is direct deposit?

like 2-3 days vs 7-10 days for a mailed check

What if I don't remember the exact dates? Is approximate okay?

Try to be as accurate as possible. Check old pay stubs, tax documents, or even text messages from when you started jobs. Washington ESD will verify this information with employers.

Is there a cost for using Claimyr?

There is a fee but honestly it was worth every penny to actually get answers about my claim status instead of waiting in phone queues for hours.

Congratulations on getting it submitted! Remember to file your weekly claims even while waiting for approval.

good job! the hard part is done now its just the waiting game

Will definitely keep filing weekly. Fingers crossed it goes smoothly from here.

That's encouraging to hear! Did you have to do anything special or just wait it out?

Just kept filing weekly claims and answered one request for additional information. Patience is key with Washington ESD.

Good advice! I'll screenshot everything just in case.

This is exactly why services like Claimyr exist. Sometimes you need that extra help to navigate the system when the regular channels aren't working.

Yeah, I might have to look into that if my claim stays stuck much longer.

Even if I just applied yesterday, I should start job searching now?

Yes, the job search activities need to start with your first weekly claim filing. Better to start early and have documentation ready.

Good point, I didn't even think about taxes. Can I change that setting later if I want?

Yes, you can update your tax withholding preferences in your eServices account anytime.

That's not as bad as I thought! I was imagining it would take hours.

The initial claim is pretty quick, it's the weekly claims that become routine. Set a reminder on your phone to do them every Sunday.

Oh that's confusing. My last day working was Tuesday but I'm getting paid through Friday for my remaining vacation days.

Then Tuesday is your last day of work. The vacation pay might affect your first week of benefits though, so make sure to report it.

That's really good advice. I'm definitely going to keep a folder with all this stuff.

Yes! And keep your job search log detailed too. I use a simple spreadsheet with dates, company names, and what I did (applied, called, etc.

How do you know if your claim is stuck? Will they tell you?

You can check your claim status in eServices. If it says 'adjudication in progress' for more than a week or two, that's when you want to call.

That's when services like Claimyr become really valuable. I tried calling Washington ESD for days about my adjudication issue before I found them.

Thank you everyone! This has been so helpful. I feel much more confident about starting the process now.

Good luck! Remember the Washington ESD customer service hours are Monday-Friday 8am-4pm if you need to call them directly.

Definitely need the patience! I'm going to start my application tonight while I have all this info fresh in my mind.

Smart move! The sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits. It usually takes 1-2 weeks for the first payment after approval.