What all do you need to file for unemployment with Washington ESD?

Thanks! Do I need exact dates or can I estimate? I've had a few different jobs in the past year and a half.

Try to be as accurate as possible. Washington ESD will verify your employment history with employers, so close estimates are better than wild guesses.

Good point, I definitely want direct deposit set up from the start.

You can add direct deposit later through your SecureAccess Washington account if you forget to do it during the initial application.

Never heard of that service before. Is it legit?

Yeah, it's real. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked when I couldn't get through the normal way. They just help you get in the phone queue.

Interesting, might be worth checking out if I run into issues.

Oh I didn't know about the waiting period. So I won't get paid for the first week?

Correct, the first week is unpaid. It's like a deductible. After that, you'll get paid for each week you're eligible and file a weekly claim.

The waiting period is such BS. Like people losing their jobs aren't stressed enough about money already.

I'm being laid off due to company downsizing. That should be straightforward, right?

Yes, layoffs due to lack of work are usually the easiest cases. Just make sure your employer reports it the same way to Washington ESD.

What if you were fired for performance issues? Asking for a friend...

That can be more complicated. You might still be eligible unless it was willful misconduct, but it could trigger an adjudication review.

Not in a union, but good to know for others reading this.

Yeah, union dismissal pay can reduce your weekly benefit amount or delay when you can start collecting.

I think I'm getting two weeks severance. How does that work?

You'll need to report it when you file. It might delay your benefits for those two weeks, but check with Washington ESD to be sure.

Severance rules can be tricky. The timing of when you receive it matters, not just the amount.

I've only worked in Washington for the past few years, so I should be good there.

Good, that makes it simpler. Cross-state claims can take longer to process.

Should I set up a separate email just for unemployment stuff?

Not necessary, but make sure you check whatever email you use regularly. Important notices come through email.

And don't let your voicemail get full! I almost missed an important call because my voicemail was maxed out.

Definitely worth trying if you're having trouble getting through. It saved me a lot of frustration.

What kind of issues are you having with your claim?

It's been in adjudication for over a month with no updates. Can't get anyone on the phone to explain what's going on.

Good advice, I'll make sure to save that.

Also keep records of everything - when you applied, when you file weekly claims, any correspondence with Washington ESD.

How do the weekly claims work exactly?

You log into your SecureAccess Washington account and answer questions about your job search activities, any work you did, and any money you earned that week.

And you have to do job search activities every week. Keep track of where you apply and what you do.

What counts as a job search contact?

Applying for jobs, contacting employers, attending job fairs, networking events, or using WorkSourceWA services. You need to document everything.

And they can audit your job search log at any time, so don't fake it!

Minor mistakes can usually be corrected, but it's better to be careful from the start. Major errors might require calling Washington ESD to fix.

This is where having a service like Claimyr could help - if you need to actually talk to someone to fix an error.

Yes, you might be eligible for partial unemployment benefits if your hours were reduced through no fault of your own. You'd still need to meet the job search requirements though.

I did this when my hours got cut in half. You report your earnings each week and they reduce your benefits accordingly.

That's smart advice. Better to get it right the first time.

Good luck getting through though! The wait times are insane.

True, but Claimyr seems to help with that problem based on what others have said here.

Is that separate from the unemployment application?

Yes, it's a separate website but you're required to register there as part of maintaining your unemployment benefits.

WorkSourceWA actually has some decent job search tools and workshops if you take advantage of them.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much more prepared now.

Good luck with your claim! Hope it goes smoothly.

Keep us posted on how it goes!