Military transition to ESD unemployment - out-of-state ID concerns

Welcome home and thank you for your service! You're smart to plan ahead. For military claims, yes, you'll need your DD-214 (Member 4 copy specifically). ESD has a special military section in the application where you'll enter your service dates rather than a traditional employer.\n\nAbout your out-of-state ID - you CAN file with your Texas license, but it might cause a small delay for identity verification. ESD sometimes flags out-of-state IDs for additional verification. Just be ready to upload additional documentation if requested. Don't wait to get a WA license first if you need to file right away.

Thanks for the info! Do you know how long the identity verification usually takes with an out-of-state ID? I'm trying to time everything right since my final day is next Friday.

i got out of the navy last year and did unemployment here. make sure u have ur dd214 ready to upload when u apply. they want the member 4 copy. your out of state id will probly trigger the id verification thing... took me like 2 extra weeks to get thru that part. they might ask for more docs

Ugh, 2 extra weeks is longer than I hoped. Was that with regular processing or did you have to talk to someone at ESD to get it resolved?

Former Army here too. I went through this process in 2023. Here's what you need to know:\n\n1. When you file your initial claim, select \

Not OP but thanks for this info! My husband is getting out next month and we were wondering about the same stuff. Do you know if TAPS/transition classes count as job search activities?

I had the WORST time with ID.me when I had an out of state license! Had to do a video call with them and everything. So frustrating!!!! But eventually got it sorted out. Good luck!!!

If you're running into trouble reaching ESD about your military claim or ID verification issues, I'd recommend trying Claimyr. I got stuck in the ID verification process for weeks with my out-of-state license and couldn't get through on the phone. Claimyr helped me get connected to an actual ESD agent within an hour. They have a demo video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3\n\nTheir website is claimyr.com - it was definitely worth it to get my claim processed properly rather than waiting for weeks.

Thanks for the tip! I'll keep this in mind if I run into trouble. Did you find that talking to an actual agent resolved your issues faster?

Absolutely. The ESD agent was able to see exactly what was flagging my account and clear the verification hold while I was on the phone. Went from

Military claims are ALWAYS complicated with ESD. I spent 12 years in the Air Force and when I filed last year they put me in adjudication for 6 WEEKS because they couldn't figure out how to properly calculate my base year wages from my military pay. The whole system is designed for regular civilian jobs, not military transitions. \n\nAlso, be prepared for them to possibly miscalculate your benefit amount. They initially gave me way less than I was entitled to based on my military pay. I had to appeal and wait another month to get it fixed.\n\nThe out-of-state ID is just another layer of bureaucratic nonsense you'll have to deal with. The whole system is broken.

That sounds awful! Did you end up getting retroactive payments for the weeks they had you in adjudication?

Yes, but only after FOUR calls and talking to a supervisor. The regular agents kept telling me different things each time. Make sure you document EVERYTHING - dates, times, who you spoke with. The system is designed to wear you down until you give up.

hey i just want to say thank you for your service! my brother was in the army too. good luck with everything!

Thanks, I appreciate that!

One more important thing about military claims that I forgot to mention: When you file your weekly claims, make sure to report any separation pay or terminal leave payments correctly. \n\nIf you're taking terminal leave, you're technically still employed by the military until your official separation date (the date on your DD-214). This can affect when you should start filing.\n\nAlso, lump-sum payments for unused leave won't affect your unemployment, but severance or separation pay might reduce your benefits for those weeks. Be careful how you report this to avoid overpayment issues later.

This is super helpful - I am taking two weeks of terminal leave, so I'll make sure to wait until after my official separation date to file. Thanks for the heads up about the leave payments too!

My cousin used his militery service on his claim and ESD kept asking for more and more documents! So annoying. Just be ready for that. They wanted like every piece of paper the military ever gave him lol

oh i 4got to mention if ur using the GI Bill that doesnt count against ur unemployment. some ppl think it does but it dont. u can collect both at same time

This is correct. GI Bill benefits are for education and don't impact your unemployment eligibility or benefit amount. However, if you're attending school full-time, ESD might question your availability for work, so be prepared to explain how you're still able and available to accept full-time employment while attending school.