What do you file unemployment with in Washington - confused about the process

You file your initial unemployment claim through the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) website at esd.wa.gov. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, dates worked, and reason for separation.

Make sure you file as soon as possible after your last day of work. There's no waiting period in Washington but you want to get the process started. The online application takes about 30-45 minutes if you have all your info ready.

If you run into issues reaching Washington ESD by phone during the application process, I found claimyr.com really helpful. They have a service that helps you get through to an actual agent when the lines are busy. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

ugh the washington esd system is so confusing! i filed last month and it took forever to figure out what they wanted. make sure you answer all the questions about why you lost your job accurately because they will investigate

After you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to actually receive benefits. Don't forget this step or you won't get paid! The weekly claims ask about any work you did and money you earned that week.

Make sure you're actively looking for work too. Washington has job search requirements and you need to keep a log of your job search activities. They can ask for it anytime.

One thing that caught me off guard - if your claim goes into adjudication for any reason, it can take weeks to resolve. That's when having a way to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD becomes really important.

also dont forget you might owe taxes on unemployment benefits! they dont automatically take taxes out so you might want to have them withhold or set money aside

The whole process seems overwhelming at first but it's really not that bad once you get started. Just take it step by step and don't panic if you make a small mistake - you can usually fix it.

Pro tip: print out or screenshot everything after you submit your application. Keep records of all your weekly claims too. If there are ever any issues, you'll want that documentation.

Just to recap the main steps: 1) File initial claim at esd.wa.gov with all your employment info, 2) Wait for determination letter, 3) File weekly claims every week, 4) Keep job search log, 5) Report any work or earnings. That covers the basics.

oh and one more thing - if you worked for the federal government or military your claim might be different so mention that when you file

The waiting is the hardest part honestly. Even when everything goes smoothly it takes a couple weeks to see your first payment. Just be patient and keep filing those weekly claims.

If your employer contests your claim don't freak out. It happens sometimes and doesn't mean you did anything wrong. Just respond honestly to any requests for information from Washington ESD.

I want to mention Claimyr one more time because it really saved me when I was stuck. When you can't get through to Washington ESD and your claim is delayed, being able to actually talk to someone makes all the difference. Check out claimyr.com if you run into phone issues.

Last piece of advice - don't work while collecting unemployment without reporting it. Even a few hours needs to be reported on your weekly claim. It's not worth the risk of an overpayment.

You've got this! The system can seem confusing but millions of people go through it successfully every year. Take your time with the application and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

Good luck! Come back and let us know how it goes. This community is really helpful for unemployment questions.

yeah this forum has been super helpful when i had questions too. way better than trying to navigate the washington esd website alone!

One final tip - set up direct deposit if you can. It's faster than waiting for a debit card or check in the mail. You can add your bank info during the application or after your claim is approved.