What do I need to file unemployment benefits with Washington ESD?

Do I need pay stubs or just the employer contact info? I have some pay stubs but not all of them.

The employer contact info is most important. Washington ESD will verify your wages directly with employers, but having pay stubs can help if there are any discrepancies.

Good point about the bank info, I almost forgot about that part.

The debit card option is actually pretty convenient if you don't want to give out your bank details right away.

Is that service legit? I'm always skeptical of third-party stuff for government benefits.

Yeah I was hesitant too but it's just a calling service that helps you get through the phone queue. They don't handle your claim or ask for personal info, just connect you to the actual Washington ESD agents.

I might need to try that. I've been trying to call for three days straight with no luck.

What do you mean by saying the wrong thing? I was just told it was due to lack of work.

Lack of work is a valid reason. Just be honest and stick to the facts. Don't overthink it or volunteer extra information that wasn't asked for.

Wait I thought it was only recent employers that mattered for benefits?

Your benefit amount is calculated on wages from your base period which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters. But they want the full 5-year history for verification purposes.

That's confusing but okay, better to have too much info than not enough I guess.

Should I wait until I have all my employer info organized or just start the application?

Start it now. You can always log back in to add missing details. The important thing is getting your claim date established.

Being fired for misconduct can disqualify you from benefits, so Washington ESD will investigate more thoroughly. You'll need to provide your side of the story and they'll contact your employer for their version.

It wasn't misconduct, more like performance issues. Still worried they might fight the claim though.

performance issues usually don't disqualify u unless it was willful. just be honest about what happened

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs or other things too?

Applying for jobs, networking events, career fairs, informational interviews, and some training activities count. Keep a log with dates, company names, and contact information.

That's awful, have you tried calling them to find out what's going on with your claim?

TRIED CALLING HUNDREDS OF TIMES. Just busy signals and hangups. The system hates working people.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. When my claim got stuck in adjudication I couldn't get through either, but that service got me connected to an actual person who could explain what was happening.

Good catch, I was about to use my old apartment address out of habit.

Also if you worked in another state recently, you might need to file an interstate claim which has different requirements.

Check your spam folder first. If you don't see anything, log back into the secure site and check your claim status. Don't file a second application as that can cause problems.

found it in spam, thanks! why do all government emails go to spam lol

That's reassuring, thanks for sharing your experience. Did you have any issues with the job search requirements?

Not really, just make sure you're documenting everything properly. I use a simple spreadsheet to track all my applications and networking activities.

Good point, my union actually has a worksheet they give members with all the info you need to gather before applying.

How much does it cost? I'm unemployed so money is tight right now.

It's worth checking out their site for current pricing. For me it was worth it just to avoid the frustration of endless busy signals when I really needed to talk to someone about my claim status.

Same here, thanks everyone for all the advice. I'm going to start my application tonight.

Good luck to both of you! Remember the most important thing is just getting started. You can always provide additional documentation later if needed.

You can apply up to 4 weeks before your last day of work if you have a definite separation date. This is especially helpful if you're getting severance pay that might delay when benefits can start.

Perfect, I have two weeks left so I'll apply next week. Thanks!

Digital copies or physical copies?

Both if possible. I scan everything and save PDFs, but also keep paper copies just in case.

I mentioned this earlier but basically any legitimate job search activity counts - applications, networking, career fairs, even some online courses. Keep detailed records with dates, company names, and contact info.

Do I need to print out proof of every application I submit online?

Screenshots or confirmation emails are usually sufficient. The key is being able to prove you actually did the activity if they audit your search log.

Agreed! I was dreading this whole process but now I feel much more prepared. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to help.