What I need to file unemployment in Washington - documentation checklist?

You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months (employer names, addresses, dates worked, reason for separation). Having your most recent pay stub helps but isn't required. The Washington ESD system will verify wages through employer records.

Make sure you have your alien registration number if you're not a US citizen, and banking info for direct deposit. Also get a copy of any separation paperwork from HR - if there's any dispute about why you left, that documentation helps.

honestly the hardest part isnt getting the documents together its actually getting through to someone at washington esd when you have questions. i spent weeks trying to call and either got busy signals or got hung up on after waiting for hours. ended up using claimyr.com to get through - they have this system that calls for you and gets you connected to an actual person. watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ) and it actually works. saved me so much time and frustration

File as soon as possible after your last day of work! Don't wait. The system takes time to process and there's often a waiting week anyway. You can file online at esd.wa.gov or call but online is way faster.

Also make sure you understand the job search requirements before you file. You'll need to do 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. The WorkSource website has details on what counts as valid activities.

One thing I wish someone had told me - if you worked in multiple states in the last 18 months, you might need to file in a different state. The wages from your highest earning quarter determine where you file.

Don't stress too much about having every single detail perfect when you file. You can update information later if needed. The important thing is to get your claim started so you don't lose any potential benefit weeks.

One more tip - if you get any kind of severance pay, that might affect when your benefits start. Make sure to report it accurately when you file. Washington ESD has specific rules about how severance is handled.

been through this process twice now and the key is being prepared for it to take longer than you expect. even when everything goes smoothly there can be delays. have some savings if possible to cover the gap

if you do run into issues or have questions after filing, seriously consider that claimyr service i mentioned earlier. the washington esd phone system is brutal to deal with and this actually gets you through to a real person who can help. worth it just for the time and stress it saves

MAKE SURE YOU KEEP FILING YOUR WEEKLY CLAIMS even if your initial claim is still being processed!! I made that mistake and lost 3 weeks of benefits. You have to file every week to keep your claim active.

Also be prepared that if anything seems unusual about your employment situation, your claim might go into adjudication. That's when they investigate further and it can add weeks to the process. Not necessarily a bad thing, just means more waiting.

just went through this last month - the online application took me about 30 minutes once i had all my info together. most of the time was just looking up old employer addresses and phone numbers

One last thing - if you're planning to do any training or education while unemployed, look into Washington's training programs. Some of them can extend your benefits or even provide additional funding.

The whole process is way less scary than it seems. Just be honest, have your info ready, and file as soon as you can. Washington ESD gets thousands of claims and they know people are stressed - they're generally pretty helpful once you get through to them.

oh and one more thing - if you have any union membership or if your employer offers any kind of job placement services, mention that when you file. sometimes there are additional resources available

Been reading through all these responses and this is exactly the kind of info I needed too. Getting laid off next month and was totally clueless about the process. Thanks OP for asking!

just want to emphasize again about that claimyr service if anyone runs into problems getting through to washington esd. i know i mentioned it earlier but it really saved me when i had questions about my claim status. sometimes you just need to talk to a real person and their phone system makes that nearly impossible without help

This thread should be pinned somewhere. So much good info here that I wish I'd had when I filed my claim last year. Would have saved me a lot of confusion and mistakes.

Final reminder - keep copies of everything you submit and take screenshots of your online application before you submit it. If there are any technical issues or questions later, having that documentation helps a lot.