Remote worker confusion - where do remote employees file for unemployment in Washington?

Thank you! That makes sense. Do I need any special documentation since it's a remote position?

Just your regular employment documentation - W2s, pay stubs, separation notice. Washington ESD doesn't require anything special for remote work.

Good to know! How long did it take for your claim to get approved?

About 2 weeks, but that was before all the call volume issues they're having now.

Interesting, I'll check that out. I tried calling Washington ESD yesterday and gave up after an hour on hold.

How much does that service cost? Seems too good to be true.

It's worth it when you consider the alternative is potentially days of failed calls. The value is in actually getting to talk to someone at ESD.

No, that's a common misconception. You file where you work, not where the company pays taxes. If you work from your Washington home, you file with Washington ESD.

omg thank you!! I was about to file with Oregon and that would have been a mess

Agreed. I spent 3 hours on the Washington ESD website trying to find clear info about remote work situations.

The rule is actually pretty straightforward - file where you physically worked. The problem is finding someone at ESD who can confirm this quickly.

Did you have to provide any proof of residency beyond your address?

Nope, just the standard info they ask for during the application process.

What kind of verification do they need from my employer?

Usually just confirmation of your employment dates, wages, and reason for separation. Out-of-state employers sometimes take longer to respond.

That's correct - it's always based on where you physically work, not where the company is located.

Makes sense when you think about it. Your local state needs to track its employment statistics.

Great advice! I'll make sure to be extra clear about that.

Yes! I didn't do this and had to clarify later which delayed my first payment.

I'll look for that section, thanks!

I couldn't find that section when I looked last month. Maybe they moved it?

That's reassuring. I was worried there might be complications with an out-of-state employer.

Nah, ESD deals with this all the time now. Remote work is pretty common.

Second person to mention that service. Might be worth trying if I run into issues.

What exactly does Claimyr do? Help you get through the phone system?

Yeah, they handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent is available. Check out their demo video to see how it works.

Good to hear from someone with lots of remote work experience. Makes me feel more confident about filing.

Same here. Remote work is mainstream now, ESD handles it routinely.

What kind of extra verification might they want?

maybe proof that you actually worked from washington, like home office setup or something? idk for sure though

They don't typically ask for proof of home office setup. Standard employment documentation is usually sufficient.

At least unemployment filing is clearer than tax situations for remote workers!

True, taxes are a nightmare when you work remote for an out-of-state company.

That's the third recommendation for Claimyr. Definitely going to check it out if I need to call ESD.

How does Claimyr work exactly? Do they just call for you?

They handle the calling and waiting, then patch you through when they get an agent. You can see the whole process in their demo video.

That's really encouraging! Were your claims processed at normal speed?

Yeah, normal processing times. I think they're used to this situation now.

Good point! I should probably give them a heads up about where I'm filing.

Yeah, it helps avoid delays when ESD contacts them for verification.

Thanks everyone! Sounds like filing with Washington ESD is definitely the right choice. Appreciate all the advice!

Good luck with your claim! Hope it goes smoothly.