Is unemployment weekly claim filing required every single week in Washington?

Thanks! So even if I sit at home all week doing nothing, I still need to file?

Exactly. You're certifying that you're still unemployed and looking for work. That's required every week.

Oh no, I'll definitely tell her. How hard was it to fix when you called?

took forever to get through but they fixed it eventually

What happens if I forget one week? Is there any way to get that week back?

No, if you miss the filing deadline for a week, those benefits are gone. Washington ESD doesn't allow backdating of missed weekly claims.

That's really harsh. Other states let you make up missed weeks if you have a good reason.

Is that legit? I'm always worried about scams when it comes to unemployment stuff.

Yeah it's legitimate. They just help you get through to actual Washington ESD agents when the phone lines are busy. Worked for me when I needed to ask about my adjudication status.

That's a good idea! What time do you usually file?

I do it Sunday morning before the system gets too busy. Less chance of technical problems.

Good to know from someone with experience. Any other tips for a newbie?

Keep detailed records of your job search activities. Washington ESD can audit your job search log at any time and you need to have 3 job contacts per week minimum.

Wait, is it 3 contacts or 2? I thought the requirement changed recently.

Thanks for clarifying! I was getting confused by all the different numbers I kept hearing.

So I need to do the weekly claim AND the job search log every week?

The job search activities are part of your weekly claim certification. When you file weekly, you're confirming you did your required job search.

Yes! I spent hours trying to figure out the basics. This thread has been more helpful than the website.

The website is terrible. I always have to dig through multiple pages to find simple answers.

How early in the morning should I call to have the best chance of getting through?

I usually try right when they open at 8am. Lines get really busy after 9am.

What's standby status? Is that different from regular unemployment?

Standby is when your employer expects to call you back within a certain timeframe. You still get benefits but have different job search requirements.

That's awful! Even with a medical emergency they wouldn't make an exception?

Nope, they said the rules are the rules. Really frustrating but that's how the system works.

Smart thinking! I'll plan to file on Saturday to be safe.

Yeah the website sometimes crashes on Sunday nights when everyone is trying to file at the last minute.

Good to know! I was wondering about that since I might pick up some part-time work.

Just make sure to report ALL earnings honestly. Washington ESD cross-checks with employers and you can get in trouble for not reporting work.

I might need to try that service if I run into problems. Better than spending my whole day calling.

Is there a cost for using Claimyr? Seems too good to be true.

There is a fee but it was worth it for me to avoid the phone hassle. Check their website for current pricing.

Great advice! I'll start doing that right away. Thanks everyone for all the helpful information!

This thread should be pinned! So much useful info for new filers.

Perfect summary! This thread has been incredibly helpful.

Wish I had found info like this when I first started filing. Would have saved me a lot of stress.

Same here. The Washington ESD system is not intuitive at all for first-time users.

Thank you all so much for this detailed explanation! As someone brand new to this process, I was really confused about the weekly filing requirement. My neighbor definitely gave me wrong information and I'm glad I asked here before following her advice. I'll make sure to file every single week by Saturday to be safe, keep detailed records, and maintain my job search log. This community has been way more helpful than trying to navigate the ESD website on my own!