What information do I need for Washington ESD unemployment application?

Do I need the exact addresses of all my previous employers or just the company names?

Washington ESD wants complete addresses if possible, but they can work with just company names and cities if that's all you have. The important thing is accurate employment dates and wages.

I don't have any military service or pensions, so I should be good there. Thanks for the bank info reminder!

They also ask about union membership and any severance pay you received, so have that info ready too.

How much did that cost? I'm already tight on money since I lost my job.

It was worth it for me to avoid the phone hassle, but I understand money being tight. The main thing is having all your info ready before you apply online.

I've heard good things about Claimyr too. Sometimes it's worth paying a little to avoid the stress of calling Washington ESD repeatedly.

I'm a US citizen so that doesn't apply to me, but good point for others who might need it.

Yes, work authorization documents are required for non-citizens. Green card, work visa, etc.

That's a good idea about organizing it first. Should I print out anything or is it all done online?

Everything is done through the secure Washington ESD website. You don't need to mail anything unless they specifically request documents later.

I think I have that on my final paystub. Is that enough or do I need something more detailed?

Your final paystub should show year-to-date wages which is what they need. If you had multiple employers in the last year, you'll need wage info from all of them.

Washington ESD can also look up your wage history from employers who report to them, but having your own records speeds up the process.

Good point. I was thinking about waiting a week or two to see if something comes up, but I guess I should file now.

Exactly. You can always stop claiming if you find work, but you can't backdate your claim to get benefits for weeks before you applied.

I was laid off because the company downsized. Should I get something in writing from my employer about that?

If you have a layoff notice or termination letter that explains it was due to lack of work, that's helpful. But Washington ESD will also contact your employer to verify the reason for separation.

Do I have to start job searching immediately or do I get a grace period?

You need to be able and available for work from day one. The formal job search requirements start after your first week, but you should be looking right away.

I tried calling Washington ESD last month and gave up after being on hold for 2 hours. Might have to check out this Claimyr thing.

Same here! The phone system is impossible. Anything that helps you actually talk to a human being is worth it.

How long does it usually take to get approved and start receiving payments?

If there are no issues with your claim, you should receive your first payment within 2-3 weeks after filing. But if they need to investigate anything, it can take much longer.

That's scary! I'll definitely keep copies of everything. Do you mean screenshot the online forms or print them out?

both if possible! and keep track of confirmation numbers for anything you submit online

Perfect! I'll look for that checklist on their website. Thanks for all the help everyone.

You're welcome! The application process seems overwhelming at first but it's pretty straightforward once you have all your information together.

I've only worked in Washington, so that shouldn't be an issue for me. But good to know for others.

Interstate claims can be tricky. It's definitely worth using something like Claimyr to talk to an agent if you have that situation.

Thanks! I feel much more prepared now. Going to gather all my documents today and file this weekend.

Smart plan. Weekend filing might mean less website traffic too, so hopefully the system runs smoothly for you.