What all do you need for unemployment application with Washington ESD?

Do I need exact addresses for all my employers or just the company names?

Exact addresses are best, but Washington ESD can usually find the info if you have the company name and city.

Is there a minimum amount you need to have earned to qualify?

Yes, Washington has wage requirements. You need to have earned at least $8,091 in your base year or meet alternative base year requirements.

How does that work exactly? Is it legit?

Yeah it's legitimate. They basically call Washington ESD for you and get you connected to a real person. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked when I couldn't get through on my own.

What if I worked for multiple employers in the same time period?

List all of them. Washington ESD needs to see your complete work history to calculate your benefit amount correctly.

How far back do they typically ask for employment history?

Usually 18 months, but sometimes they'll ask for up to 2 years depending on your situation.

What if my employer hasn't sent me my final paystub yet?

You can still file without it, but get it as soon as possible. Washington ESD might need it later for verification.

You can usually correct minor errors, but it's better to double-check everything before submitting. Major errors could delay your claim.

That's exactly what I'm afraid of. I don't want to mess up my benefits.

Is that something I do at the same time as filing my claim?

You can do it around the same time, but it's a separate system. Make sure you complete both requirements.

Which part of the site do you go to? I want to make sure I'm in the right place.

Go to esd.wa.gov and look for 'Apply for Benefits' or 'File a New Claim'. The main unemployment page has the links.

Good to know, though that doesn't apply to me. Are there other special situations I should be aware of?

If you were self-employed or worked as an independent contractor, the rules are different. You might not qualify for regular unemployment benefits.

How much does something like that cost?

I'd rather not get into specifics about cost, but for me it was worth it to actually talk to someone instead of calling hundreds of times.

What if the reason is complicated? Like the company was downsizing but they said it was performance-related?

Be honest about the circumstances. If there's any dispute about the reason, Washington ESD will investigate and contact your employer.

How long did the actual application take you to complete?

maybe 30-45 minutes? would have been faster if i had organized all my info beforehand

Does that include unused sick time that they paid out?

Yes, any kind of payout from your employer needs to be reported. Washington ESD will determine how it affects your claim.

If it's your first time filing, you'll create a new PIN. If you've filed before, you use your existing PIN.

Oh that makes sense. I thought I was supposed to already have one somehow.

Do your best to estimate, but try to be as accurate as possible. If you have old tax documents or pay stubs, those can help with dates.

I'll dig through my paperwork tonight. Hopefully I kept better records than I think.

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind if I run into issues.

I was skeptical about services like that but honestly anything is better than the endless busy signals from Washington ESD.

Good advice. Should I print anything out too?

I'd print the confirmation page after you submit. Sometimes the system has issues and you want proof you filed.

Where do you update your address if it's wrong?

You can update it during the application process or log into your account later to change it.

How soon is 'as soon as possible'? Like within a week?

Ideally within a few days. You can't get benefits for weeks before you file, so don't wait.

Perfect, thanks everyone for all the helpful information!