Washington ESD unemployment benefits after layoff - how quickly can I get approved?

Thanks! Do I need to wait until I get my final paycheck to file or can I do it now?

You can file now. They'll ask for your last day worked and last day paid, so just use those dates even if you haven't received the final check yet.

What kind of verification stuff? I'm worried they'll find some reason to deny me.

just had to verify my identity and employment history. nothing crazy just took time to process

How much does something like that cost? I'm already worried about money.

It's worth checking out their pricing on the site. For me it was definitely worth it since I was wasting entire days trying to call myself. Plus they got me connected same day I used them.

Never heard of that service but honestly might be worth it. I spent 3 days calling Washington ESD last year and never got through once.

How many jobs do I need to apply for each week? I heard it was 3 but someone else told me 5.

It's currently 3 job search activities per week in Washington. Can be applications, networking, job fairs, etc. Keep detailed records because they audit these.

How much did you get per week if you don't mind me asking? Trying to figure out my budget.

It depends on your wages from the last year. I was making about $45k and got around $480 per week. There's a calculator on the Washington ESD website that gives you an estimate.

Yeah my manager was really clear it wasn't my fault. They eliminated 3 positions including mine. Will that help my case?

Absolutely. Mass layoffs are very straightforward for Washington ESD to approve. Keep any documentation you have about the layoff just in case.

Wait, what's the waiting week? I thought I'd get paid right away once approved.

The waiting week means your first week of unemployment won't be paid, but every week after that will be. So if you file this week, you won't get paid for this week but will get paid starting next week.

It's just another way they try to discourage people from filing. Really unfair when you're already in a tough spot financially.

is that like a paid service or something? how does it work exactly

Yeah it's a paid service but they handle all the calling for you. You just tell them what you need help with and they get you connected to the right person at Washington ESD. Check out their demo video I linked earlier.

Great job getting it filed quickly! You should get a confirmation number - save that somewhere safe.

Awesome! The hardest part is over. Now just wait for the determination letter and start doing your job searches.

What happens if I miss filing a weekly claim? Like if I'm out of town or something?

You can file up to 4 weeks late but you won't get paid for any weeks you don't file. Better to file on time every week. You can do it online or by phone.

Yeah I'm definitely planning to look for work right away. Just need something to bridge the gap until I find something.

That's the right attitude. And don't be picky at first - any job is better than no job when you have bills to pay.

What's adjudication? That sounds scary.

Adjudication is just when Washington ESD needs to investigate something about your claim. Usually it's routine stuff like verifying employment or separation reason. Most claims don't go through adjudication.

This is exactly when Claimyr comes in handy. If you get stuck in adjudication and need to talk to someone, they can get you through to an agent who can explain what's happening and what you need to do.

Thanks for the encouragement. I was feeling pretty overwhelmed but everyone here has been super helpful.

It's really not as bad as some people make it seem. The online system works pretty well most of the time. Just follow the instructions and you'll be fine.

Good tip! I'll definitely set that up. How long does it take for direct deposit to kick in?

I think it was like 1-2 business days after I set it up. Much better than waiting for paper checks.

Will do. Should I print stuff out or is keeping digital copies okay?

Digital copies are fine as long as you have them organized and accessible. I keep a folder on my computer with all my unemployment stuff.

Thanks everyone! I feel much more confident about this whole process now. Really appreciate all the help and advice.

You're welcome! This community is great for supporting each other through these tough times. Good luck with your job search!