What every worker should know about unemployment insurance in Washington state - basics everyone needs

Good question! Here are the key things every Washington worker should know: You need to file your claim immediately after becoming unemployed, don't wait. Your weekly benefit amount is roughly 1/25th of your highest quarter earnings in your base year, up to $999/week maximum. You must be able and available for work, and you'll need to do job search activities each week. The base year is the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file.

One thing I wish I'd known - if you get severance pay, it might delay when your benefits start. Washington ESD considers it wages even if you're not working. Also, if you're thinking about filing, make sure you have all your employment info ready - every job from the last 18 months with exact dates and employer details.

Most important thing - file your weekly claim EVERY week even if you think you won't qualify that week. If you miss filing, you lose that week's benefits permanently. I learned this the hard way when I forgot to file one week during a holiday.

Has anyone had luck actually getting through to Washington ESD on the phone? I've been trying for weeks to get answers about my specific situation but can never reach anyone. The wait times are insane and I keep getting disconnected.

Another critical thing - understand the difference between 'able and available' versus 'standby'. If you're temporarily laid off and expecting to return to the same job, you might qualify for standby status which has different job search requirements. Regular UI requires you to be actively seeking new employment.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Your first week is unpaid - it's like a deductible. And if you work part-time while collecting, you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount before they start reducing your benefits. Anything over that gets deducted dollar for dollar.

Something I wish someone had told me - keep copies of EVERYTHING. Your initial application, every weekly claim filing, all correspondence from Washington ESD, and especially your job search log. If there's ever a question or audit, you'll need documentation.

The Washington ESD website is actually pretty good for basic info once you figure out how to navigate it. The SecureAccess Washington (SAW) portal is where you'll do everything - file claims, check status, upload documents. Set up your account before you need it if possible.

One thing that caught me off guard - if you refuse a suitable job offer, you can lose your benefits. 'Suitable' is pretty broadly defined too. Generally means work that pays at least 70% of your previous wage after the first 5 weeks of benefits.

If you're in a union, definitely check with them about unemployment procedures. Some unions have specific requirements or additional benefits that interact with Washington ESD claims. Also, if you're laid off due to lack of work vs fired for misconduct, it makes a huge difference in eligibility.

Here's something important - your employer pays into the unemployment system, not you. It doesn't come out of your paycheck. But if you collect benefits, it can affect your employer's tax rate, which is why some employers contest claims.

The adjudication process is probably the most stressful part. If there's any question about your eligibility - whether you quit, were fired, refused work, etc. - your claim gets flagged for review. This can take 4-8 weeks and there's not much you can do but wait.

Don't forget you can appeal any Washington ESD decision you disagree with. You have 30 days from the date of the decision to file an appeal. The appeals process includes a hearing where you can present your side of the story.

If you're collecting unemployment and move to another state, things get complicated. Washington will continue paying your claim but you'll need to register for work search in your new state and follow their requirements.

One last thing - unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld (10% federal) or pay at tax time. If you don't withhold, make sure you're setting money aside because you will owe taxes on every dollar you receive.

This thread is super helpful! One more tip - if you have questions about your specific situation, the Washington ESD website has a lot of good FAQs and policy guidance. But if you need to actually talk to someone about your claim, definitely try that Claimyr service mentioned earlier. The regular phone lines are basically impossible.

The system seems overwhelming but once you get into the routine of weekly claims and job searches, it becomes manageable. The key is staying organized and not letting small mistakes snowball into bigger problems. Document everything and when in doubt, ask questions.

Just want to add - if you end up with an overpayment notice later (saying you were paid benefits you weren't entitled to), don't panic. You can appeal those too, and sometimes they're mistakes on Washington ESD's end. But deal with it immediately because the penalties and interest add up fast.

Bottom line - unemployment insurance is there as a safety net, not a vacation. It's designed to temporarily replace income while you actively search for new work. Follow the rules, document everything, and don't try to game the system because they will catch up with you eventually.