What do I need to file for unemployment - Washington ESD requirements?

You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months. That includes employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. Also gather your most recent pay stub and any separation paperwork your employer gave you.

Make sure you have your alien registration number if you're not a US citizen. Also any military discharge papers if you served in the last 18 months. The Washington ESD application will ask for all this stuff.

Here's what you absolutely must have ready: 1) SSN 2) Driver's license or state ID 3) Complete work history for past 18 months including employer names, addresses, phone numbers, dates worked, gross wages earned, and reason you left each job. 4) Bank account info for direct deposit. The process usually takes 2-3 weeks if there are no issues, but can take longer if your claim goes into adjudication.

Pro tip: if you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual person. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a video demo showing how it works at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

DON'T FORGET TO FILE ASAP!!! Benefits are calculated from the week you file, not the week you lost your job. I made this mistake and lost out on a whole week of benefits because I waited thinking I needed to get all my paperwork perfect first.

Also be prepared for the job search requirements. You'll need to register with WorkSource and do job search activities each week. Keep detailed records of everything because they can audit your job search log at any time.

this whole system is so confusing why cant they just make it simple for people who are already stressed about losing their jobs

One more important thing - make sure you understand the difference between being laid off vs fired vs quitting. Washington ESD treats each differently. If you were laid off due to lack of work, you should qualify. If you were fired for misconduct or quit without good cause, you might be disqualified.

I'm still waiting on my claim from 6 weeks ago. Tried calling every day but either get disconnected or told to call back later. This is ridiculous.

Quick question - do I need to report my vacation payout when I file? My employer gave me money for unused vacation days.

Update: I started my application online and it's asking for my last employer's federal employer ID number. I don't have that - is it on my pay stub somewhere?

Been through this process twice now. My advice is to file online late at night or early morning when the system is less busy. During business hours it crashes constantly.

Does anyone know if I can file if I'm working part-time? I got my hours cut way down but I'm still technically employed.

Make sure your direct deposit info is correct! I messed up my account number and it delayed my first payment by two weeks while they sorted it out.

The whole thing took me about 45 minutes to complete online. Just take your time and don't rush through it. Better to get it right the first time than have to deal with corrections later.

One thing they don't tell you upfront - you have to file a weekly claim every week even if you haven't received your approval yet. I missed doing this and had to backtrack.

UPDATE: I finally got through to Washington ESD using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. Turns out my employer disputed my claim and that's why it was stuck. The agent helped me understand what I need to do for the appeal process. Would have saved me weeks of stress if I'd known about this earlier.

Thanks everyone for all the help! I successfully filed my initial claim tonight. The system was actually pretty user-friendly once I had all my info ready. Now I just wait and do my weekly claims. Fingers crossed it goes smoothly!