How to start a new claim for unemployment Washington ESD - confused about the process

Don't wait! You should file your initial claim as soon as possible after your last day of work. Go to the Washington ESD website (esd.wa.gov) and look for the 'Apply for Benefits' section. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment information for the last 18 months - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and your gross wages.

The online application takes about 30-45 minutes if you have all your info ready. Make sure you answer all questions accurately, especially about why you're no longer working. Being laid off is different from being fired or quitting, and it affects your eligibility.

After you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to get paid. Don't skip this step even if your claim is still being processed! I made that mistake and it delayed my benefits by weeks.

Just a heads up - if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your claim, calling can be really frustrating. The phone lines are always busy and you'll get disconnected a lot. I recently found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you through to ESD agents without all the waiting and hang-ups. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

make sure you have your bank info ready for direct deposit setup. getting checks in the mail takes forever

Don't panic if your claim goes into adjudication - that's when they need to verify information about your job separation. It's pretty common and doesn't mean you did anything wrong. Just be patient and respond quickly to any requests for additional info.

Pro tip: screenshot or print your confirmation page after filing. Keep track of your claim confirmation number. You'll need it if you have to call Washington ESD about anything.

The job search requirement is important - you need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and log them in your WorkSourceWA account. Don't wait until later to set this up.

ugh the whole system is so confusing for first timers! I remember being totally lost when I had to file my first claim. Just take it step by step and don't stress too much.

Double-check your Social Security number and bank account info before submitting. Typos in those fields cause major headaches later.

One more thing - if you worked in another state within the last 18 months, you might need to file an interstate claim. The application will ask about out-of-state work.

Don't forget to set up your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account if you don't already have one. That's how you'll access your unemployment account going forward.

If you get overwhelmed by the application, you can save your progress and come back to it later. Don't rush through it - accuracy is more important than speed.

After you file, you should get a determination letter within a week or two explaining your benefit amount and eligibility. Keep that letter safe - you'll need it for your records.

honestly the waiting is the worst part. try not to stress too much about things you can't control. if you file everything correctly and on time, you should be fine

Last piece of advice - if you need to reach Washington ESD by phone and keep getting disconnected, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier really does work. I was skeptical but ended up using it when I had issues with my weekly claim certification.