How to start unemployment benefits in Washington - complete beginner here

First thing - don't panic! The process isn't as complicated as it seems. You'll want to go to esd.wa.gov and click on 'File a Claim for Benefits.' 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 reason for separation). Also have your bank account info ready if you want direct deposit.

Make sure you file as soon as possible! In Washington, you can't get benefits for the week before you file your claim, so every day you wait is money lost. The application takes about 30-45 minutes if you have all your info ready.

One thing that helped me when I was struggling to get through to Washington ESD on the phone was using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have this system that calls for you and connects you when an agent picks up. Saved me hours of redialing. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helped when I had questions about my claim status.

After you file your initial claim, you'll get a determination letter in about a week telling you if you're eligible and how much your weekly benefit will be. If you're approved, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to get paid - even if you haven't received your first payment yet.

ugh the whole system is such a nightmare. took me 6 weeks to get my first payment and they never explained why. good luck!

Don't let that scare you - most claims get processed much faster than that. The key is making sure you provide accurate information upfront. If there are any issues with your employer disputing the claim or questions about your eligibility, it can take longer due to adjudication.

Make sure you keep detailed records of everything - your job search activities, any work you do while collecting benefits, any training programs you attend. Washington ESD can ask for this information at any time.

One important thing - if you were fired for misconduct or quit without good cause, you might not be eligible. But if you were laid off due to lack of work, you should be fine assuming you meet the wage requirements.

Pro tip: set up your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account before you start the unemployment application. That's the login system Washington ESD uses and it can take a little time to get set up properly.

Just remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay them when you file your tax return next year.

If you run into issues during the application process, don't give up! The system can be glitchy sometimes but persistence pays off. I had to restart my application twice before it went through properly.

Another thing - if you're planning to do any part-time or temporary work while collecting benefits, make sure you report it on your weekly claims. You can still receive partial benefits in many cases.

I was in a similar situation last year and found that calling Washington ESD was nearly impossible during normal hours. If you need to talk to someone, try calling right when they open at 8 AM or use that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier - it really does work.

Don't forget about WorkSourceWA! They have job search resources and sometimes the unemployment office requires you to register with them depending on your situation.

Make sure you have a reliable way to receive mail! Washington ESD sends important notices by mail and you have limited time to respond to some of them. Don't rely solely on online notifications.

Quick question - are you eligible to work in the US and have you worked enough hours in Washington? Those are basic requirements that sometimes trip people up.

One last tip - screenshot or print out your confirmation page after you submit your application. Having that reference number can be helpful if you need to call about your claim status.

Been following this thread and just wanted to say good luck! The first time filing is always stressful but you've got good advice here. The system works, it just takes a little patience.

Actually, one more thing I thought of - if you get a message about your claim being under review or in adjudication status, don't panic. It's pretty common and doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem. Just means they need to verify some information.

This thread is super helpful! I'm in a similar situation and was putting off filing because it seemed so complicated. Sounds like it's actually pretty straightforward if you have your documents ready.