What is needed to file unemployment with Washington ESD - complete requirements list?

Thanks! Do I need pay stubs or will they get that info directly from employers? And what counts as 'reason for leaving' - do I need documentation?

Washington ESD gets wage info from employers directly, but keep your pay stubs just in case. For reason for leaving, just be honest - laid off, fired, quit, etc. If you were fired or quit, you might need documentation later during adjudication.

Good point about being available for work. I'm healthy and ready to work so that shouldn't be an issue.

What if you're dealing with some health issues but can still work? Do you have to disclose everything to Washington ESD?

Only disclose health issues that would actually prevent you from working. If you can work with reasonable accommodations, you're still considered able and available.

Interesting, I'll check that out if I have trouble reaching someone. Hopefully the online application goes smoothly though.

Is that service legit? Seems too good to be true if Washington ESD lines are always busy.

Yeah it's legitimate. They basically call for you and get you connected when an agent becomes available. Much better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.

So I file the initial application and then immediately start doing weekly claims? Even before they approve my initial claim?

Exactly. You file weekly claims starting the first week you're unemployed. If your initial claim gets approved, you'll get paid for all the weeks you filed. If you don't file weekly claims, you can't get paid for those weeks later.

This is super important!! I missed filing my first two weekly claims because I thought I had to wait for approval. Lost two weeks of benefits because of it.

You need info from ALL employers in the last 18 months. Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter to calculate your benefit amount, so they need complete work history.

great... i had like 4 different jobs last year. this is going to take forever to track down all that info

Check your tax documents if you still have them. Your W-2s from last year will have employer info and wages which can help you fill out the application.

What exactly counts as job search activities? Is just applying to jobs enough or do they want other things too?

Job applications count, but you can also do things like attend job fairs, networking events, WorkSource workshops, or even informational interviews. Check the Washington ESD website for the complete list.

They're pretty strict about the job search requirements now. Keep detailed records of everything you do because they can audit your search activities.

That's reassuring. I tend to overthink these government forms but sounds like it's not as bad as I thought.

The application is pretty user friendly compared to other government websites I've used. Just take your time and read the questions carefully.

Good advice. If I do need help, is calling Washington ESD the best option or are there other ways to get assistance?

Calling can be frustrating with busy lines. That's why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - it's been a game changer for actually reaching someone at Washington ESD when you need help.

You can also try the online chat feature on the Washington ESD website, though it's not always available. WorkSource offices can help too if you have one nearby.

Great tip! I always forget to save confirmation numbers and then regret it later.

Also write down the date you filed. Washington ESD uses that date for calculating your benefit year and other important deadlines.

Oh I didn't know about needing a separate SAW account. Thanks for mentioning that!

Yeah the SAW account is required for most Washington state services now. It's annoying but once you have it set up, you can use it for other things too.

The identity verification for SAW can be tricky if you don't have a lot of credit history. Have your driver's license and other ID documents ready.

Self-employment and contractor work usually doesn't count for regular unemployment benefits unless you paid into the system. You might need to look into self-employment assistance programs instead.

Hmm, I did have regular W-2 employment too though. Would that still qualify me for regular benefits?

Yes, if you had enough W-2 wages in your base period, you can still qualify for regular UI benefits. The self-employment income just won't count toward your benefit calculation.

I'm getting two weeks severance. Does that mean I can't file unemployment for two weeks?

You can file your claim right away, but your benefits might not start until after the severance period ends. Washington ESD will calculate this based on your weekly benefit amount.

This happened to me. Had to wait 3 weeks because of severance pay, but once benefits started, everything went smoothly.

You start work search activities immediately. There's no grace period. You need 3 qualifying activities per week starting with your first weekly claim.

Oof, okay. Better start looking at job postings right away then.

Make sure you keep detailed records of your job search activities. Date, employer, position, how you applied, etc. Washington ESD can ask for this information anytime.

That's encouraging! Did you have any issues with your claim being approved or did it go through smoothly?

Mine went into adjudication for about two weeks because I had quit a job earlier in the year, but it got approved eventually. Just had to provide some additional information about why I quit.

Two weeks isn't bad for adjudication. I've heard of people waiting months, especially if their case is complicated.

Definitely planning to do direct deposit. Do they need a voided check or just the routing and account numbers?

Just the routing and account numbers. You can find these on your bank's website or mobile app if you don't have checks.

Good to know. Hopefully I won't need to appeal anything, but it's reassuring to know the option exists.

Appeals can take a while though, so if you do need to file one, do it as soon as possible. There are strict deadlines for appeal requests.

If you do end up needing to talk to Washington ESD about appeals or other complex issues, that's another situation where Claimyr really helps. Much easier than trying to get through the regular phone lines for detailed discussions.

Glad we could help! Good luck with your claim filing. Remember to file your weekly claims on time once you get started.

Yes, thank you all! This community is amazing. I'll update if I run into any issues during the application process.

Perfect summary! I'm screenshotting this for reference. Thanks again everyone!

Good luck! The Washington ESD system can be confusing at first but once you get the hang of it, it's not too bad.

Smart thinking! It's always good to know this stuff ahead of time rather than scrambling to figure it out when you actually need it.

Agreed! I wish I had looked into this sooner instead of waiting until the last minute.

Noted! I'll file as soon as my last day of work happens. Thanks for the warning about not waiting.

This is so true. I know someone who waited a month to file and lost out on several weeks of benefits because of it.