What do you need to bring to the unemployment office Washington ESD appointment?

Thanks! I have all of those. Should I bring pay stubs too or just the separation notice?

Bring your last few pay stubs if you have them. Better to have too much documentation than not enough.

It's for adjudication, yes. My employer is disputing my claim saying I quit but I was actually laid off due to lack of work.

definitely bring any emails or written notice about the layoff then. anything that proves it wasn't voluntary

That sounds helpful! How does Claimyr work exactly? Do they just help you get through to someone faster?

Yeah exactly, they handle the calling and waiting so you don't have to. They'll call you back when they get someone on the line. Saved me probably 3 hours of hold time.

Never heard of that service but honestly anything is better than waiting on hold forever with Washington ESD

This is super helpful, thank you! I didn't think about bringing a notebook but that's a great idea.

Why bank statements? I thought those were only for overpayment issues?

They sometimes want to verify you haven't had unreported income. Better safe than sorry.

I know right? I keep second-guessing everything. At least we're both preparing ahead of time!

Don't stress too much. If you forget something they'll usually give you a chance to provide it later. Just bring what you can.

That's frustrating but I guess I understand why they need to verify everything.

Yeah I get it too, just wish the process wasn't so adversarial feeling sometimes

Good point! I'll make copies of everything just in case.

I don't think I got a WARN notice but I'll check if I have any company communications about the layoffs.

Even informal emails about budget cuts or restructuring can help your case

That's exactly why I started using Claimyr. No more wasted time on hold, they just call you back when they reach someone.

Might have to try that for my next question. The phone system is absolutely terrible.

Haha good tip! How long was your appointment?

like 2 hours but that included waiting. the actual meeting was maybe 30 minutes

I haven't been keeping a detailed log, just the basic stuff for my weekly claims. Should I create a more detailed one?

If you have time, yes. Show dates, companies contacted, method of contact, and follow-up actions. Makes you look more serious about finding work.

I'm not doing any formal training right now. Is that bad?

Not necessarily bad, but it can help show you're being proactive. Even online courses or certifications count.

Good to know! I was planning to arrive early anyway but I'll make sure to leave extra time.

Smart move. Parking can be a nightmare at some of the offices too.

That's a good balance to strike. I don't want to overwhelm them but I also don't want to be missing something important.

The key is organizing everything clearly. Have the most important documents on top and easily accessible.

How do you update your address? Through the online portal?

Yes, log into your account and update it there. Just make sure to do it a few days before your appointment.

That sounds incredibly frustrating! Were you able to get backpay for the delays?

eventually yes but it took months. the whole system needs an overhaul

Seems like several people have had good experiences with that service. I'll definitely keep it in mind.

Yeah it's been a lifesaver for me. Worth it just for the peace of mind of knowing you can actually talk to someone when you need to.

Good luck with your appointment! Let us know how it goes.

Thanks! I'll definitely update everyone after the meeting.

That's a great point. I was just planning to wear casual clothes but I'll dress up a bit.

You don't need a suit or anything, just business casual shows respect for the process.

Perfect! I have a binder I can use. I'll organize everything by category.