How to sign up for unemployment in Washington - complete beginner guide needed

Thanks! Do I need exact dates or just months? I worked at three different places in the last year and a half.

Exact dates if you have them, but months will work. Washington ESD will verify with your employers anyway. Just be as accurate as possible.

How long does it usually take to get approved? I filed last week and haven't heard anything yet.

Usually 2-3 weeks for a straightforward claim. Sometimes longer if they need to verify something with your employer.

What's a waiting week? Does that mean I have to wait a whole week before I can even apply?

No, you can apply right away. The waiting week means you won't get paid for your first week of unemployment, but you still need to file a weekly claim for it.

How much does something like that cost? I'm trying not to spend money I don't have right now.

I was in the same boat but it was worth it to actually talk to someone and get my questions answered instead of waiting weeks wondering what was happening with my claim.

Do I have to register with WorkSource before I can get benefits?

You have to register within a certain timeframe after filing, but you don't have to wait for that to complete your initial application.

The job search requirement is 3 activities per week, not necessarily 3 different employers. You can count things like updating your resume or attending job fairs.

That's frustrating! Have you tried calling at different times of day? I had better luck calling right when they opened at 8am.

I've tried morning, afternoon, even tried the callback feature but never got called back.

What if I do some freelance work while I'm looking for a full-time job? Do I need to report that too?

Yes, you need to report ALL income when you file your weekly claims. They'll deduct it from your benefits but you won't necessarily lose everything.

What kind of tasks? Like additional paperwork?

Could be anything - verification of identity, proof of work authorization, sometimes they want you to complete a phone interview. Just check your account every few days.

How do you qualify for expedited processing? I really need to get something coming in soon.

I'm not 100% sure of the requirements but I think it's for people facing eviction or having utilities shut off. Worth asking about when you call.

Good tip! How long do you have before it times out?

I think it's like 20-30 minutes of inactivity but don't quote me on that. Just hit save whenever you can.

What if you don't have pay stubs from a job? My last employer only did direct deposit and didn't give us physical stubs.

Check if they have an online portal where you can access them, or call HR. You could also use your tax documents if you have them.

Wait, so I should file weekly claims before my application is even approved?

Yes! You file weekly claims for every week you're unemployed, starting with your first week. If your claim gets approved, you'll get paid for all those weeks.

The virtual assistant is pretty useless for anything complicated. It's only good for like basic questions about hours or finding forms.

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr to actually talk to a real person. The automated stuff just wasn't cutting it for my questions.

Is there any advantage to doing it online vs phone?

Online is faster if it works properly and you can save your progress. Phone takes forever but sometimes it's your only option if the website is acting up.

How do they calculate how much you get per week? Is it based on your last job's pay?

It's based on your earnings during your 'base period' which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed. Washington ESD calculates it automatically.

What happens if you make an honest mistake on the application?

Honest mistakes can usually be corrected, but you need to contact them as soon as you realize the error. They can tell the difference between a mistake and intentional fraud.

This is so important! I had an issue with my claim and having all my records saved me weeks of trying to reconstruct what happened.

Good advice! I'll start a folder right now for all my unemployment stuff.

How often should you check your account? I don't want to be obsessive but I also don't want to miss something important.

I checked mine every couple days, especially after filing my weekly claim. That way if there were any issues I could catch them quickly.

I might have to try that if I run into problems. Hopefully the online application goes smoothly though.

Yeah, definitely try the normal routes first. But it's good to know there are options if you get stuck.

Thanks everyone! This has been super helpful. I feel much more prepared to start the application now.

Good luck! The process can be frustrating but stick with it. Once you get through the initial setup, the weekly claims are pretty straightforward.