Is unemployment worth filing for in Washington? New to the system

Definitely file! Even if you think you won't get much, you might be surprised. The benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website can give you a rough estimate. The process has gotten better over the past couple years.

You should absolutely file ASAP because there's a waiting week where you won't get paid anyway. The sooner you start the process, the sooner you'll start receiving benefits. Just make sure you have all your employment info ready - dates, wages, reason for separation.

I was in a similar situation and honestly the biggest pain was just getting through to someone at Washington ESD when I had questions. The online system is pretty straightforward but when you need to talk to an actual person it can be frustrating with busy signals and long hold times.

The whole system is a joke tbh. I've been waiting for 6 weeks for my claim to get approved and they keep asking for more documentation. Every time I call they tell me something different.

File for sure! I was making about the same as you and got around $280 per week. It's not a ton but it definitely helps with basic expenses while job hunting.

Just remember you'll need to file your weekly claims every week and meet the job search requirements. You need to look for work and keep a log of your job search activities.

Whatever you do, don't wait! The longer you wait to file, the more money you're potentially leaving on the table. Even if the process seems daunting, it's worth it.

One more tip - make sure you're completely honest about why you were laid off. If there's any discrepancy between what you say and what your employer reports, it can delay your claim significantly.

I filed online and it was actually pretty easy. The Washington ESD website walks you through everything step by step. Don't overthink it!

Since you're new to this, a few key things to remember: File your weekly claims on time (you can do it Sunday-Saturday each week), report any work or income, and respond quickly to any requests for information from Washington ESD. These are the main things that trip people up.

Also just to follow up on the calling thing - if you do need to reach Washington ESD for any reason, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really does work. I was skeptical at first but it saved me hours of calling.

One thing I wish I'd known earlier - you can usually get your first payment about 3-4 weeks after filing if everything goes smoothly. Don't panic if it takes a bit, that's normal processing time.

Make sure you understand the difference between your weekly benefit amount and your maximum benefit amount. Your weekly amount is what you get each week, your maximum is the total you can receive during your benefit year.

honestly just do it. worst case scenario you get denied and you're in the same position you're in now. best case you get some financial help while looking for work.

Last piece of advice - once you file, bookmark the SecureAccess Washington login page and check your account regularly. That's where you'll see updates about your claim status and any action items you need to complete.

Yeah definitely file. The sooner the better because you can't backdate benefits. Every week you wait is potentially money lost.

Just wanted to add - if you do run into any problems or have questions during the process, don't hesitate to reach out for help. Whether it's calling Washington ESD directly or posting here, there are resources available.

Good luck with your claim! Hope it goes smoothly and you find a new job soon.

One final thought - if you do end up needing to call Washington ESD for any reason and can't get through, definitely check out that Claimyr service. It's been a game changer for actually reaching agents when you need help.

Update: Just finished filing my initial claim online! It was actually much easier than I expected. Thanks everyone for pushing me to just do it. Now I wait and see what happens.