Is unemployment good - Washington ESD benefits worth applying for?

Unemployment is absolutely worth applying for if you qualify. In Washington, the maximum weekly benefit is around $999 right now, which isn't great but it's something. The key is to file immediately - don't wait thinking you'll find a job quickly. Even if you do find work fast, you'll have benefits available for the time you were unemployed.

File ASAP! I made the mistake of waiting two weeks thinking I'd find something quick and I lost out on those benefits. Washington ESD only pays from the week you file, not from when you were actually laid off.

The process can be frustrating but it's definitely worth it. You'll need to file weekly claims and do job searches, but the money helps a lot while you're looking. One thing that saved me a ton of time was using Claimyr to actually get through to a real person at Washington ESD when I had questions. Their system automatically calls for you and connects you when an agent picks up. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works.

unemployment is a lifesaver honestly. yeah the system sucks and washington esd is a pain but the money keeps you afloat. i was out of work for 4 months last year and without UI i would have been homeless

The job search requirements are no joke though. You need to make 3 job contacts per week and keep detailed records. If you don't do this properly, they can disqualify you and make you pay back everything. Make sure you understand all the rules before you start.

I'm in the same boat as OP - just got laid off last week. Already filed my claim but it's showing 'pending' and I'm getting anxious. How long should I wait before I start worrying?

YES file immediately!! I waited thinking it wasn't worth it and regretted it so much. Even with all the hoops you have to jump through, it's free money while you look for work. The amount depends on what you were making but it's calculated automatically when you file.

The system is definitely flawed but unemployment benefits are there for a reason. You paid into this through your taxes, so you're entitled to use it when you need it. Don't feel guilty about filing.

One more thing about getting help - if you do run into issues with your claim, definitely try that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. Washington ESD's phone lines are absolutely brutal and you can waste entire days trying to get through. I wish I had known about it sooner.

File your claim TODAY. Seriously. I cannot stress this enough. Every day you wait is money you're losing. The worst case scenario is you find a job quickly and stop filing weekly claims. Best case, you have income while you search.

unemployment saved my family when I got laid off in 2023. Yeah you have to deal with bureaucracy but it's absolutely worth it. The peace of mind knowing you have some income coming in is huge.

Just remember that unemployment isn't free money - you'll owe taxes on it at the end of the year. You can have them withhold taxes from each payment or pay quarterly estimates. Don't get caught off guard come tax season.

The biggest thing is being honest on your application and following all the rules. Washington ESD takes fraud seriously and they will audit claims. But if you're legitimately unemployed through no fault of your own, you deserve these benefits.

Update on my claim - it just got approved! Already received my first payment. For anyone on the fence about filing, definitely do it. The process was way easier than I expected.

I used to think unemployment was just for lazy people but after getting laid off myself I realized how wrong I was. It's insurance that we all pay into for situations exactly like this. There's no shame in using it when you need it.

For anyone reading this thread later - I mentioned Claimyr earlier and just wanted to add that they also help with other Washington ESD issues beyond just getting through on the phone. If you're dealing with adjudication delays or appeal processes, they can connect you with agents who specialize in those areas too.

Bottom line - unemployment is good if you need it. It's not enough to live comfortably on but it'll keep you from going broke while job hunting. File immediately, follow the rules, and don't feel guilty about using a system you've been paying into your whole working life.

good luck OP! unemployment definitely helped me when I needed it most. the washington esd system has its problems but the benefits are real and they help a lot of people get back on their feet

One last tip - if you end up in a situation where Washington ESD is taking forever to process something or you're stuck in adjudication hell, don't just sit there waiting. Use every resource available including services like Claimyr to get through to someone who can actually help. Time is money when you're unemployed.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this process recently. I was laid off from my manufacturing job in February and initially hesitated to file because I thought I'd find work quickly. Big mistake! I ended up being unemployed for 3 months and lost out on those first two weeks of benefits. The weekly amount I received was about $650, which wasn't amazing but it covered my rent and basic expenses. The job search requirements aren't too bad - I mostly applied online and attended a couple job fairs. The hardest part was actually getting approved initially because there was some confusion about my separation date, but once that got sorted out, the weekly filing process was pretty straightforward. My advice: file immediately, keep detailed records of everything, and don't let pride get in the way of using a system you've been paying into. It's there for exactly this situation.