What information is needed to file for unemployment in Washington - complete checklist?

You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, complete employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. Also need your bank account info for direct deposit and contact information. Make sure you have exact dates - Washington ESD is picky about accuracy.

Here's what I had to gather when I filed: SSN, ID, complete work history (company names, addresses, phone numbers, supervisor names, start/end dates, gross wages, reason for leaving each job), bank routing/account numbers, alien registration number if applicable, and military service info if you served. The online application at esd.wa.gov walks you through each section.

Don't forget you also need to register with WorkSource WA as part of the work search requirements. You can do this at worksourcewa.com. Washington ESD requires this for most claims unless you're on temporary layoff expecting recall within 4 weeks.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your application, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Really saved me time instead of calling for hours.

One thing people often miss - if you worked in multiple states in the past 18 months, you might need to file in the state where you earned the most wages, not necessarily where you live now. Washington ESD can help determine this but it's good to know upfront.

Make sure you know exactly why you're unemployed and can explain it clearly. Washington ESD will ask detailed questions about your separation from each job. If you were fired, laid off, quit, or it was end of contract - they need specifics and it affects your eligibility.

ugh the washington esd system is so confusing!! i tried to file last week and kept getting error messages. do you really need ALL that information or can you go back and add stuff later??

Pro tip: Before you start the online application, gather everything and write it down on paper first. The system times out if you take too long, and you don't want to lose your progress halfway through.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Washington has a one-week waiting period so even if you file immediately, your first payment won't be for the second week you're unemployed. Plan your finances accordingly.

I needed help understanding some of the questions on the application and used Claimyr to talk to someone at Washington ESD. The agent walked me through what information they needed for my specific situation. Really helpful when you're not sure about something.

If you're filing due to reduced hours instead of complete job loss, you'll need to report your reduced wages and hours. Washington ESD has partial unemployment benefits but the calculation is different.

Make sure your contact information is current and check your email regularly after filing. Washington ESD sends important notices electronically and you have limited time to respond to requests for additional information.

Once you file, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits. This is separate from the initial application and has to be done even if your claim is still processing.

The hardest part for me was remembering exact wages from each job. If you don't have paystubs, try to get wage statements from your employers before filing. Washington ESD will verify anyway but having accurate numbers speeds up processing.

when i had questions during my application i used that claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier. worked pretty well to actually talk to a real person at washington esd instead of just reading the website. saved me from guessing on some of the employer information stuff

Don't stress too much about having every single detail perfect. You can make corrections later if needed. The important thing is to file as soon as possible because benefits are only paid from the date you file, not from when you became unemployed.

Thanks everyone for all this helpful information! I feel much more prepared now. Going to gather all my documents this weekend and file on Monday. Appreciate the detailed responses.