What is required to get unemployment benefits through Washington ESD?

The basic requirements for Washington ESD unemployment benefits are pretty straightforward. You need to have worked and earned wages in at least two quarters during your base period (usually the first four of the last five completed quarters). You also need to be unemployed through no fault of your own, be able and available to work, and actively search for work. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates of employment.

You'll also need to register with WorkSource WA for the job search requirement. That's mandatory now. And make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still being processed or you'll lose those weeks of benefits.

I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD when I first filed. Spent hours on hold just to get disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have this system that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected - saved me so much frustration. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

The benefit amount depends on your wages during the base period. Washington calculates it using your highest quarter of earnings. Maximum weekly benefit is around $999 right now but most people get less than that.

Don't forget you can file online at esd.wa.gov which is way easier than calling. Just make sure you have all your employment info ready before you start because the system times out if you take too long.

Also be prepared for possible adjudication if there's anything unusual about your job loss. Washington ESD might need to investigate whether you were fired for misconduct or quit voluntarily. This can delay your benefits by several weeks.

Whatever you do, don't lie about anything on your application. Washington ESD checks everything and if they catch you in a lie it can disqualify you and you might have to pay back benefits. Be honest about your work history and the reason you lost your job.

You might want to set up direct deposit when you file. Getting a physical check in the mail takes longer and can get lost. The direct deposit usually processes within 2-3 business days after your weekly claim is approved.

The whole process is honestly pretty overwhelming at first but you get used to it. The weekly claims become routine after a few weeks. Just remember to file every Sunday for the previous week and keep track of your job search activities.

Pro tip: if you have trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone, try calling right when they open at 8am or during lunch time around noon. Those seem to be the best times to get through without waiting forever.

Make sure you understand the difference between your initial claim and your weekly claims. You file the initial claim once to establish your eligibility, then you have to file weekly claims every week to actually receive payments. A lot of people mess this up.

One more thing - if you have any questions about your claim status or run into problems, don't just wait and hope it resolves itself. Contact Washington ESD right away because some issues have time limits for appeals.

Washington ESD also has a lot of resources on their website including FAQs and video tutorials. Worth checking out esd.wa.gov before you file to get familiar with the process.