What do I need to claim Washington ESD unemployment benefits - complete checklist?
Lost my job last week and I'm completely overwhelmed trying to figure out what documents and information I need to file for unemployment with Washington ESD. I've never done this before and the website has so much information I don't know where to start. Can someone break down exactly what I need to have ready before I begin my application? I want to make sure I don't mess anything up or cause delays.
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Marcelle Drum
You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and employment history for the last 18 months. Make sure you have employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. Also gather any separation documents like termination letters or layoff notices.
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Collins Angel
•Do I need pay stubs too? I have some but not all of them from the past year.
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Marcelle Drum
•Pay stubs help but aren't required. Washington ESD gets wage info directly from employers through quarterly reports.
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Tate Jensen
Don't forget you need to be actively looking for work and able to work. Washington ESD requires 3 job contacts per week and you'll need to log them in WorkSource WA.
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Collins Angel
•When do I need to start the job search requirement? Right away or after I'm approved?
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Tate Jensen
•You need to start looking for work the week after you file your initial claim. The job search requirement kicks in immediately.
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Adaline Wong
I went through this nightmare last year. Getting through to Washington ESD by phone is nearly impossible when you have questions. I spent weeks calling every morning at 8am sharp and either got busy signals or got disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. Finally found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which actually got me through to a real person at Washington ESD. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
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Gabriel Ruiz
•How much does that service cost? Seems sketchy to pay someone to make phone calls for you.
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Adaline Wong
•It's legitimate and way less frustrating than spending your entire day redialing. When you need to talk to Washington ESD about your claim status or resolve issues, it's worth it.
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Collins Angel
•That's good to know in case I run into problems. Hopefully the online application goes smoothly.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR BANK ACCOUNT INFO READY!! Direct deposit is way faster than waiting for a debit card in the mail. You'll need routing number and account number.
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Collins Angel
•Good point! How long does it usually take to get the debit card if I don't do direct deposit?
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•Can take 7-10 business days for the KeyBank debit card to arrive. Direct deposit is usually 2-3 business days once approved.
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Peyton Clarke
Here's what you absolutely need before starting your Washington ESD claim: 1) SSN and driver's license, 2) Complete work history for last 18 months including employer federal EIN numbers if you have them, 3) Dates of employment and gross wages earned, 4) Reason for job separation, 5) Any separation paperwork. The online application at esd.wa.gov walks you through each step.
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Collins Angel
•Where do I find the federal EIN numbers? I don't think I have those.
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Peyton Clarke
•EIN numbers are helpful but not required. They're usually on your W-2 forms or pay stubs. Washington ESD can look up employers without them.
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Vince Eh
•You can also find EIN numbers by googling the company name plus 'EIN' sometimes.
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Sophia Gabriel
be ready for the waiting game once you submit everything... my claim sat in adjudication for 6 weeks because they had to verify my employment with my previous employer who was slow to respond
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Collins Angel
•6 weeks?! That's terrifying. Is there anything I can do to speed up the process?
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Sophia Gabriel
•not really... just make sure all your info is accurate when you file so they don't have to investigate anything
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Marcelle Drum
•Adjudication delays happen when there are questions about your separation or eligibility. Being thorough and honest in your initial application helps avoid this.
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Vince Eh
Also gather any union information if you were in a union. Washington ESD needs to know about union benefits or job placement services that might affect your claim.
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Collins Angel
•I wasn't in a union so I don't need to worry about that part.
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Gabriel Ruiz
The whole system is a joke. I had all my documents ready and it still took forever to get approved. Washington ESD makes you jump through so many hoops just to get benefits you paid into.
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Tobias Lancaster
•I feel you on the frustration but having everything organized definitely helps move things along faster.
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Ezra Beard
•Same experience here. The bureaucracy is insane but you just have to push through it.
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Statiia Aarssizan
Don't forget to file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still pending! You have to file by the deadline or you lose that week's benefits.
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Collins Angel
•When are the weekly claims due? Is there a specific day of the week?
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Statiia Aarssizan
•You can file weekly claims on Sunday after 6am for the previous week. The deadline is the following Saturday night at midnight.
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Peyton Clarke
•This is crucial - never miss a weekly claim filing deadline or you forfeit that week's potential benefits permanently.
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Reginald Blackwell
If you were fired, make sure you understand exactly why and have any documentation. Washington ESD will contact your employer to verify the reason for separation and it affects your eligibility.
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Collins Angel
•I was laid off due to budget cuts, so hopefully that's straightforward.
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Reginald Blackwell
•Layoffs are usually pretty clear-cut for Washington ESD. Just be prepared to provide details about the circumstances if they ask.
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Aria Khan
My friend used some service called Claimyr when she couldn't get through to Washington ESD about her claim being stuck. Said it actually worked and she talked to someone the same day.
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Everett Tutum
•Yeah I've heard of that. Seems like it could be useful if you run into problems and need to actually speak with someone at Washington ESD.
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Collins Angel
•Good to know there are options if I get stuck somewhere in the process.
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Sunny Wang
Make sure your contact information is current! Washington ESD will send important notices by mail and email. If they can't reach you it can delay or disqualify your claim.
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Collins Angel
•I just moved last month so I'll double-check that my address is updated everywhere.
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Sunny Wang
•Smart move. Address changes can cause major headaches if Washington ESD is sending notices to the wrong place.
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Hugh Intensity
been through this process twice now... honestly the hardest part is just getting started. once you have all your documents together the actual application isn't that bad
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Collins Angel
•That's reassuring! I was worried the application itself would be really complicated.
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Hugh Intensity
•nah the website walks you through it step by step. just take your time and double check everything before submitting
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Effie Alexander
If you have any 1099 income or side gigs, gather that information too. Washington ESD needs to know about ALL your work activity, not just your main job.
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Collins Angel
•I did some freelance work earlier this year. Do I need tax forms for that?
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Effie Alexander
•Any documentation of the freelance income would be helpful. 1099s, invoices, payment records, anything that shows when and how much you earned.
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Melissa Lin
The Washington ESD website has a checklist you can print out. I found it really helpful to go through it item by item before starting my application.
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Collins Angel
•I'll look for that checklist. Having everything organized beforehand sounds like the way to go.
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Marcelle Drum
•Yes, the preparation checklist on esd.wa.gov is very thorough. It covers everything you need to know.
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Lydia Santiago
One more thing - if you have any military service, gather your DD-214. Veterans sometimes have special considerations for unemployment benefits in Washington state.
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Collins Angel
•No military service for me, but good to know for others reading this.
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Adaline Wong
Just want to follow up on the Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier - it's not about the application process, but once you're in the system and need to talk to Washington ESD about claim issues, it's a lifesaver. The phone lines are consistently jammed.
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Romeo Quest
•How quickly did they get you through to someone at Washington ESD?
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Adaline Wong
•Same day. I was shocked because I'd been trying to call for weeks on my own with no luck.
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Val Rossi
Last tip: write down or screenshot your confirmation number after you submit your application. You'll need it for reference and it proves you filed on time.
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Collins Angel
•Great advice! I'll make sure to save all the confirmation information.
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Val Rossi
•Yeah, that confirmation number becomes really important if there are any questions about when you filed.
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Eve Freeman
Good luck with your claim! The process seems overwhelming at first but thousands of people go through it successfully every week. Just take it one step at a time.
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Collins Angel
•Thank you! Everyone's advice here has been really helpful. I feel much more prepared now.
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Peyton Clarke
•You've got this! Having all your documents ready beforehand is half the battle.
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