What information do you need to file unemployment with Washington ESD?

Do I need exact dates or just approximate months? My employment history goes back pretty far and I'm not sure about exact start/end dates for some jobs.

Try to be as exact as possible but approximate is better than nothing. Washington ESD will verify with employers anyway so small discrepancies won't hurt you.

I'm getting two weeks severance - does that affect when I can start collecting benefits?

Yes, severance pay can delay your first payment. Washington ESD will calculate how that affects your benefit start date during the application process.

That's interesting - did you use it right when you were filing or later when you had issues?

I used it about a week after filing when my claim seemed stuck and I couldn't get through the regular phone lines. Saved me hours of trying to call.

How much does something like that cost? Seems like it could be worth it if you're really stuck.

I wasn't in the military but I was in a union briefly at my last job - do I need contact info for them too?

Yes, have the union name and local number ready. They sometimes need to verify union benefits or dues.

I'm just worried about making mistakes that could delay my claim. Money's going to be tight.

Better to be prepared than have to restart the application or wait for adjudication because of missing info.

Do I need to start job searching before I even get approved for benefits?

Yes, the job search requirement starts as soon as you file your claim, not when you get approved.

That's so backwards - how are you supposed to focus on job searching when you're stressed about whether you'll even get benefits?

My company is doing layoffs so I think I'm safe there. Do I need any paperwork from HR to prove it was a layoff?

A layoff notice or WARN notice would be helpful but not required. Washington ESD will contact your employer directly to verify.

Did you run into any issues after filing or did it go pretty smoothly?

Pretty smooth for me, but I had a straightforward layoff situation. Took about 2 weeks to get my first payment.

Wait, so even if I file the day after I lose my job, I still have to wait a week before getting anything?

Exactly. The waiting week is built into Washington's unemployment system. You file for it but don't get paid for that first week.

Good idea! I'll definitely do that. Did you have to resubmit because of an error or just for verification?

They asked for additional documentation during adjudication. Having the copies made it easy to provide consistent information.

That's not very encouraging... have you had bad experiences with Washington ESD?

Don't listen to the negativity. Yes the system has issues but millions of people successfully file for unemployment every year.

I'm just saying be prepared for frustration. The phone system alone is a nightmare.

I'll definitely keep that in mind if I run into problems. Hopefully I won't need to call at all.

You'll probably need to call at some point. Most people do, especially if there are any questions about your claim.

What kind of documents do they want for identity verification?

Usually driver's license, Social Security card, passport, or birth certificate. The video call option is faster if you have a good internet connection.

I do some occasional freelance writing - do I need to report that even if I haven't made any money from it recently?

You need to report any work activity, even if unpaid. Be completely honest - they can find out about unreported work and it can lead to overpayment issues.

Good point - I just moved recently so I need to make sure everything is updated.

Update it with the post office, your bank, and everywhere else too. Consistency helps avoid red flags in their system.

That's a really good suggestion. My sister went through this a few years ago so maybe I'll ask her to help.

Just make sure she's familiar with current rules - they've changed some things since the pandemic.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I feel much more prepared now. Hopefully it goes smoothly!

You've got this! Just remember to file your weekly claims on time once you're approved.

And don't hesitate to use resources like Claimyr if you get stuck and need to reach someone at Washington ESD. Good luck!