Washington ESD - when can you file unemployment benefits and what are the deadlines?

You should file your claim as soon as possible after your last day of work. Washington ESD recommends filing within the first week after you become unemployed. The sooner you file, the sooner your claim can be processed and you can start receiving benefits if you're eligible.

Just be aware that even if you file right away, there's a one-week waiting period before you can receive your first payment. This is called the waiting week and it applies to everyone filing for regular UI benefits.

I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD when I was trying to file my claim last month. Kept getting busy signals and getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made the whole process so much easier.

The important thing is to file as soon as you can but make sure you have all your information ready first. You'll need your Social Security number, your employment history for the past 18 months, and details about why you're unemployed. If you don't have everything ready it can slow down your application.

ugh the washington esd website is so confusing though! i tried to start my application yesterday and got lost halfway through. does anyone know if theres a better way to do this?

One thing to keep in mind is that your benefit year starts the week you file your claim, not the week you became unemployed. So if you wait too long to file, you could be missing out on potential benefits from those earlier weeks.

Also make sure youre actually eligible before filing. You need to have worked enough hours and earned enough wages in your base period. Washington ESD has specific requirements about this.

The system is so backed up right now. I filed 3 weeks ago and my claim is still in adjudication. They say it can take 4-6 weeks to process claims that need additional review.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone, I'd definitely recommend trying Claimyr. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked. Got connected to an agent within 30 minutes instead of calling for days and getting nowhere.

Just remember that once you file your initial claim, you need to file weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits. Don't skip weeks even if you think you might have work coming up.

also dont forget about the job search requirements! you have to be actively looking for work and keep a log of your job search activities. washington esd can ask to see this at any time

The whole process is honestly a nightmare. I've been trying to get through to resolve an issue with my claim for over a month. The phone system hangs up on you, the online messaging system is useless, and there's no other way to reach them.

For what it's worth, I used Claimyr last week and finally got to talk to someone at Washington ESD about my adjudication issue. The agent was actually really helpful once I got connected. Sometimes you just need to get past the phone system bottleneck.

One more tip - make sure you answer all the questions on your weekly claims honestly. If you worked any hours or earned any money, even just a few dollars, you need to report it. Being dishonest can disqualify you from benefits.

Bottom line - file as soon as possible after your last day of work, have all your information ready, and be prepared for the process to take some time. Washington ESD is dealing with high volume so patience is key.