What is filing for unemployment in Washington - complete beginner here

Filing for unemployment means applying for unemployment insurance benefits through Washington ESD (Employment Security Department). It's not welfare - it's insurance you and your employer paid into while you were working. You don't pay it back unless you're overpaid by mistake. The amount depends on your previous wages, but it's usually around 60-70% of what you made, up to a weekly maximum.

The basic process is: 1) File your initial claim online, 2) Wait for Washington ESD to process and approve it, 3) File weekly claims every week to get paid, 4) Complete job search activities as required. You must be able and available to work and actively looking for work to keep getting benefits.

I remember being so confused about this too when I first got laid off. The Washington ESD website has a lot of info but it's overwhelming. One thing that really helped me was using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually talk to someone at ESD when I had questions. They have this demo video (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ) that shows how it works - basically helps you get through to an actual person instead of being stuck on hold forever.

WARNING: Make sure you file ASAP because there's usually a waiting week and benefits are calculated based on when you file, not when you lost your job. Don't wait around thinking about it!

The hardest part for me was understanding all the acronyms and terms. UI means unemployment insurance, ESD is Employment Security Department, adjudication means they're reviewing something about your claim. It's like learning a whole new language!

honestly the whole system is confusing even for people who've done it before, you're not alone in feeling lost about it

One more important thing - keep all your paperwork and document everything. Save emails, print confirmation pages, keep records of your job searches. The system can have glitches and you want proof of what you did and when.

The Washington ESD website has a whole section for first-time filers that walks through everything step by step. Start there and then come back here if you get stuck on specific parts.

Just to add - you can potentially get benefits for up to 26 weeks in most cases, sometimes longer if there are extensions. The weekly amount is based on your highest earning quarter in the past year, so gather your pay stubs or tax info.

Make sure you're actually eligible before filing. You need to have worked enough in the past year and earned a minimum amount. If you were a contractor or gig worker, the rules are different.

The job search requirement is real and they do check it sometimes. Don't just make stuff up because they can audit your WorkSourceWA account and see what you actually did.

One thing nobody told me - if you do any work at all while collecting benefits, even just a few hours, you have to report it on your weekly claim. They'll reduce your benefits for that week but you won't get in trouble if you're honest about it.

I've been through this process twice and the second time I used Claimyr again because calling ESD directly is almost impossible. Seriously, I spent entire days trying to get through on the phone. Claimyr saves so much frustration when you need to actually talk to someone about your claim.

Also be prepared for the process to take longer than you expect. Even straightforward claims can take 2-3 weeks to get your first payment, and if there are any issues it can be much longer.

Pro tip: set up direct deposit right away when you file your claim. Paper checks take even longer and can get lost in the mail.

The most important thing is to file your weekly claims on time every week, even if your initial claim is still being processed. If you miss a week, you lose that week's benefits permanently.

I know it seems overwhelming but you'll get the hang of it pretty quickly. The first few weeks are the hardest while you're learning all the terminology and procedures.

Last piece of advice - if your claim gets denied for any reason, don't panic. You can appeal the decision and often win if you have good documentation. Just make sure to file the appeal within the deadline they give you.