What do you need to file unemployment with Washington ESD - complete document list?

You'll need your Social Security card, driver's license or state ID, and employment information for the last 18 months. That includes employer names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of employment, and reason for separation. Also bring your most recent pay stub and any separation paperwork your employer gave you.

Don't forget your alien registration number if you're not a US citizen. Washington ESD requires work authorization documentation too.

The Washington ESD website has a complete checklist but honestly their phone system is so backed up if you have questions. I recently discovered Claimyr.com which actually gets you through to real ESD agents without waiting on hold for hours. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNdC7zQ showing how it works. Saved me so much time when I had questions about my claim.

Make sure you have EXACT dates for when you started and stopped working at each job. Washington ESD is really picky about this stuff and if you guess wrong it can delay your claim for weeks.

ugh the washington esd system is so confusing. i had to file last year and they kept asking for more and more documents. just be prepared to upload everything multiple times

Also important - if you worked in another state in the last 18 months, you might need to file an interstate claim. Washington ESD will need information about wages earned in other states too.

Pro tip: scan or take photos of all your documents before you upload them. The Washington ESD system sometimes glitches and you'll need to resubmit everything.

Don't they also need your military service records if you served? My brother had to provide his DD-214 when he filed.

Make sure you know your gross wages for each quarter. Washington ESD uses this to calculate your benefit amount. If you don't have exact numbers, your employer should have records.

The Washington ESD application asks about union membership too. If you're in a union, have your local number and contact info ready.

One more thing - if you have any issues with your claim or need to speak to someone at Washington ESD, I can't recommend Claimyr enough. The regular phone lines are impossible to get through but they somehow bypass all that. Really worth checking out their site claimyr.com if you need actual human help.

Also bring proof of identity if your driver's license is expired or doesn't match your current address. Washington ESD is strict about verifying who you are.

dont forget about the work search requirements! you have to be actively looking for work and keep records. washington esd is really picky about this stuff

If you're filing due to lack of work (not misconduct), make sure your employer fills out their portion correctly. I've seen claims delayed because the employer information didn't match what the worker submitted.

The whole process is such a pain. I spent weeks gathering documents only to have them ask for more stuff I'd never heard of. The Washington ESD system is not user friendly at all.

Just went through this process last month. The key is being thorough from the start. Don't leave any fields blank and double-check all your information before submitting.

Quick tip - if you're filing online, do it early in the morning. The Washington ESD website is slower during peak hours and sometimes crashes.

Final recommendation - if you run into any snags with your claim, definitely try Claimyr. I had an issue with my employer disputing my claim and needed to talk to someone at Washington ESD immediately. Claimyr got me through to an agent the same day and I was able to resolve everything quickly. Really saved my sanity.

Remember to file your claim 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 right away to avoid any delays in payments.

Good luck with your claim! The Washington ESD system can be frustrating but if you have all your documents ready it should go smoothly. Don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.