What do I need to get unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

Do I need pay stubs or W-2s? I'm worried I don't have all my old pay stubs saved.

Pay stubs help but aren't required. Washington ESD will verify your wages with employers directly. Having them can speed things up though.

Good point, I'll double check that. Did they eventually fix it or did you have to reapply?

They fixed it but took forever. Had to call multiple times to get someone to look at it.

Never heard of that before. Is it legit or one of those scammy services?

It's real, they just help you get through the phone queue. Way better than hitting redial for 3 hours straight.

I might need that if I run into issues. Thanks for the tip!

Wait, that's a separate website? I thought it was all through Washington ESD.

Nope, WorkSourceWA is for job searches and they track your activities. You'll need both accounts active.

I only worked in Washington so hopefully that won't be an issue for me.

My last day was Friday, so I should file this week then?

Yes, file this week. Sunday is usually the best day to file since it starts your benefit week cleanly.

I filed on a Wednesday and it messed up my weekly claim schedule. Definitely file on Sunday if you can.

Oh no, that's exactly what I was worried about. How long have you been waiting?

Filed 3 weeks ago and still in 'adjudication' whatever that means. No one will tell me anything.

That's exactly why I started using Claimyr. Gets you past the busy signals to actually talk to someone about your adjudication status.

I was laid off due to budget cuts, so hopefully that's straightforward.

Layoffs are usually easier but they might still ask for documentation from your employer.

Good tip, I'll try filing early tomorrow morning then.

Out of state license should be fine as long as it's current and valid. They just need photo ID.

Perfect, thanks! Was worried I'd have to get a new license first.

That's really important to know. How do I file weekly claims if my initial claim isn't approved yet?

The system will let you file weekly claims even during adjudication. Just keep doing it every week until they resolve your case.

I missed 2 weeks of filing during adjudication and lost those benefits permanently. Don't make my mistake!

Live chat is extremely limited and usually just refers you to call anyway. Phone is really your best bet.

Which is why services like Claimyr are so helpful - they handle the phone queue nightmare for you.

Wait, so even if everything goes smoothly I won't get paid for the first week?

Correct. The first week is unpaid by law. Benefits start from week 2 if you're eligible.

You definitely got lucky. Most of us are stuck in adjudication hell.

maybe because i was laid off from a big company? they might have had all the right paperwork already

Smart idea, I'll definitely do that. Better safe than sorry.

Do I need to prove those job contacts somehow?

Keep a log with company names, dates, and how you contacted them. Washington ESD can audit your job search at any time.

I use a simple spreadsheet to track mine. Makes the weekly claims much easier to fill out.

They verify with employers during the adjudication process. That's often what causes delays - waiting for employer response.

Makes sense why some claims take weeks then. Employers probably aren't quick to respond.

Good point. I was worried about applying if I might not qualify but you're right - let them decide.

Exactly. Worst case they say no, but you might be surprised. Eligibility rules are more flexible than people think sometimes.

Thanks everyone for all the help! I feel much more prepared now. Going to file my claim Sunday morning and hopefully avoid the worst of the system issues.

Good luck! Feel free to come back here if you run into problems. This community is pretty helpful.