What do I need to know about unemployment - Washington ESD first timer here

Thank you! Should I wait until I have all my paperwork together or just start the application now?

Start now with what you have. You can always provide additional documentation later if Washington ESD requests it during their review process.

What counts as active job searching? How many applications do I need to submit each week?

You need 3 job search activities per week. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or interviews. Everything must be logged in your WorkSourceWA account.

Make sure you understand the difference between your initial claim and weekly claims - that confused me for weeks when I first filed!

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

I was too, but it actually worked. They don't ask for any personal info - just dial the number for you and transfer you when an agent picks up. Beats spending hours redialing.

I used them too when my claim went into adjudication. Much better than the frustration of constant busy signals.

I did get severance pay - about 6 weeks worth. Does that mean I can't file for unemployment until that runs out?

Not necessarily. Severance might delay your benefits but you should still file your initial claim now. Washington ESD will determine how it affects your eligibility during the adjudication process.

What's adjudication? That sounds scary.

Adjudication is just Washington ESD's review process when they need more information about your claim. It happens when there are questions about your separation from work, eligibility, or other issues. It's not necessarily bad - just means they need to investigate before approving benefits.

My claim was in adjudication for 8 weeks because my employer contested it. Was a nightmare trying to get information about the status.

Good point - I hadn't thought about taxes. Is it better to have them withheld or pay later?

Depends on your situation, but I'd recommend having them withheld so you don't get hit with a big bill later. You can change this setting anytime in your Washington ESD account.

How specific do the job search logs need to be? Do they actually check them?

They can and do audit them randomly. I had to provide proof of my job search activities during a phone interview. Keep screenshots of applications, emails, anything that shows you actually did the work.

Wait, what's the difference? I thought actively seeking work covered everything?

Able and' available means'you re physically and mentally capable of working and available to accept suitable 'employment. Actively seeking' work is the specific job search activities. You need both to qualify eachweek.

That's really good advice. I'll start keeping a folder with all my unemployment stuff.

Smart move. Also take screenshots of your weekly claim confirmations - I've had the system not save my claims properly before.

How much does something like that cost though? Money's tight when you're unemployed.

I don't want to get into specific pricing here, but it was reasonable considering the time and frustration it saved me. Check their site for current rates.

How do they define what's suitable for me specifically?

It's based on your skills, experience, training, and local job market conditions. They also consider how long you've been unemployed. The longer you're on benefits, the broader their definition of 'suitable' becomes.

How long is 'a while'? I'm already anxious about how long this is going to take.

For straightforward claims, usually 2-3 weeks. If there are complications or your employer contests the claim, it could be longer. The key is to keep filing weekly claims regardless of the status.

This is so true. I stopped filing weekly claims thinking I needed to wait for approval and it messed up my whole claim timeline.

Thanks! I'll do that right after I finish filing my initial claim.

Good plan. Also double-check your banking information for typos - a wrong account number will delay your payments significantly.

You're absolutely right. I'm going to stop overthinking and just start the application today. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice!

Good luck! Come back if you run into any issues. This community is pretty good about helping each other navigate the Washington ESD system.