How to survive unemployment - Washington ESD tips needed

First thing - make sure you're filing your weekly claims on time even if your initial claim is still processing. Washington ESD won't backpay if you miss those weekly filings.

Contact 211 for emergency assistance programs in your area. Food banks, utility assistance, rent help - they have a database of everything available. Also check if your county has emergency rental assistance still available from COVID funds.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to actual agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Might be worth checking out at claimyr.com if you need to talk to someone about your pending claim.

Start tracking EVERYTHING for your job search now. Washington ESD requires 3 job contacts per week and they're getting stricter about documentation. Use WorkSourceWA.com to log your activities.

Budget everything down to the penny. Cut all subscriptions, negotiate payment plans with utilities, call your landlord to explain the situation. Most are understanding if you communicate early.

Apply for SNAP benefits (food stamps) immediately. Don't wait until you're completely broke. The process takes time and every bit helps.

Check with your bank about hardship programs. Many have options to defer loan payments or waive fees during unemployment. Credit unions are especially good about this.

Look into gig work for immediate income - DoorDash, Uber, TaskRabbit. Just make sure to report any earnings on your weekly claims or you'll get in trouble with Washington ESD later.

The mental health aspect is huge too. Free counseling through community health centers, support groups, even online resources. Don't underestimate the stress of unemployment.

If your claim gets stuck in adjudication like mine did, don't just wait around. Keep calling Washington ESD or use that Claimyr thing someone mentioned. My claim sat for 6 weeks because of some employer dispute I didn't even know about.

Libraries are your friend. Free internet, job search resources, sometimes even career counseling services. Plus it gets you out of the house which helps mentally.

Don't forget about COBRA for health insurance if you had employer coverage. It's expensive but cheaper than an ER visit. Washington state also has expanded Medicaid options.

Meal planning and bulk cooking saved me so much money. Rice, beans, pasta, frozen vegetables. Not exciting but filling and cheap.

Network like crazy. Tell everyone you're looking for work. Join professional groups on LinkedIn, attend virtual networking events. Sometimes it's who you know.

Keep receipts for job search expenses - gas for interviews, copies of resumes, etc. They're tax deductible and every little bit helps come tax time.

Join local Facebook groups for job postings and community resources. Nextdoor app too. Sometimes people post jobs that never make it to the big job boards.

One more thing about Washington ESD - if you get any correspondence from them, respond immediately. Missed deadlines can disqualify your entire claim. And if you can't reach them by phone, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really does work for getting through to agents quickly.

Hang in there. I survived 8 months of unemployment in 2019 and came out stronger. It's temporary even though it doesn't feel like it. You've got this!

Document everything with Washington ESD. Screenshot your weekly claims, save confirmation numbers, print important emails. If there's ever a dispute you'll need proof.

Check if you qualify for utility discounts through LIHEAP or your local utility companies. Many have special programs for people receiving unemployment benefits.