Washington ESD unemployment application process - what to expect when I apply?

The Washington ESD application itself is pretty straightforward - you'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months. Make sure you have exact dates of employment, employer names and addresses, and reason for separation. The online application takes about 30-45 minutes if you have everything ready.

honestly the application part is the easy part... its everything that comes after that gets complicated. be prepared to wait weeks for your first payment while they do 'adjudication' which basically means they're deciding if you qualify

Here's what typically happens after you apply: 1) You'll get a monetary determination showing your weekly benefit amount, 2) If there are no issues, you start filing weekly claims, 3) If Washington ESD needs to investigate anything (like your reason for leaving), your claim goes into adjudication. During adjudication, you won't receive payments until they make a decision. The key is being completely honest on your application.

If you end up stuck in adjudication hell like so many people, there's actually a service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. I discovered it when I couldn't reach anyone for weeks about my claim status. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Basically they handle the calling frustration for you.

Make sure you understand the work search requirements before you apply! You'll need to make 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log. Some people don't realize this and get in trouble later. Also register with WorkSource Washington - it's required.

MAKE SURE YOU FILE YOUR WEEKLY CLAIMS EVERY WEEK even if your initial claim is still pending!!! I learned this the hard way - if you don't file weekly claims, you lose those weeks forever. The system doesn't automatically backpay missed weeks.

also heads up - if you worked for multiple employers in the past year make sure you list ALL of them. leaving one out can cause delays or even disqualification if they think you're hiding something

One more tip: save copies of everything you submit and take screenshots of important pages. If there's ever a dispute, having documentation helps. Also write down confirmation numbers if the system gives you any.

honestly the whole system is such a mess right now. ive been waiting 5 weeks for adjudication on my claim and cant get through to anyone by phone. the callback system never works and when you do get through they hang up after being on hold for 2 hours

The application process has gotten better since the pandemic but there are still issues. My advice is to apply as soon as possible after your last day of work. Don't wait thinking you might find another job quickly - you can always withdraw your claim if you find work.

just a heads up that if your employer contests your claim (says you were fired for misconduct or quit voluntarily), that automatically triggers adjudication. be prepared for that possibility and make sure you have documentation of your side of the story

whatever you do DONT make any mistakes on dates or employer info. i had to wait an extra 3 weeks because i got one digit wrong in an employer phone number and they couldnt verify my employment

The monetary determination usually comes within a week of applying. This tells you your weekly benefit amount and how many weeks you're eligible for. Don't panic if the amount seems low - it's based on your highest earning quarter from the past year.

i applied 2 months ago and still fighting with them over my claim. apparently my former employer told them i was fired for attendance but i was actually laid off. now im trying to appeal but cant reach anyone to explain the situation

Pro tip: set up direct deposit when you apply. Paper checks take forever to arrive and can get lost in the mail. The direct deposit option is right there in the application.

expect to spend a lot of time on hold if you need to call them about anything. i tracked my call attempts last month - average hold time was 1 hour 45 minutes when i actually got through. most calls just disconnected

Make sure you understand what 'able and available' means. You have to be physically able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work. If you're planning any vacations or have medical issues, this could affect your eligibility.

been through this process twice now and the key is patience and documentation. keep records of everything, file your weekly claims religiously, and dont give up if you hit roadblocks. the system works but its slow

one last thing - if you get denied for any reason, you have 30 days to appeal. dont let that deadline pass if you think the decision was wrong. appeals take time but can be successful if you have good documentation