What is the current unemployment rate in Washington state right now?

That's actually lower than I expected! Does that mean fewer people are filing claims with Washington ESD now?

Yes, generally lower unemployment rates mean fewer new claims being filed. But Washington ESD still processes thousands of claims weekly from people between jobs.

This is so true. I filed last month when unemployment was supposedly 'low' and my claim still took 3 weeks to get approved because of adjudication issues.

Exactly. The individual claim complexity matters more than the overall volume. Job separation issues, wage verification, and identity verification can slow things down no matter what.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents automatically. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Really? How does that work exactly? I'm desperate at this point.

It basically calls Washington ESD for you repeatedly until it gets through, then connects you to an agent. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting the busy signal.

That makes sense about different counties having different rates. I'm in the Seattle area so probably dealing with more competition for jobs.

Yeah, urban areas typically have higher unemployment rates than rural areas, even in good economic times. More people, more competition.

True, the U-6 rate (which includes underemployed and discouraged workers) is usually about double the standard unemployment rate. So probably closer to 8-9% if you count those folks.

Exactly. And those part-time workers might still be eligible for partial unemployment benefits through Washington ESD if their hours are reduced enough.

Good point. I guess I was overthinking it. I'll just file and see what happens.

Right, eligibility is based on your individual circumstances - having enough wage credits, being laid off or having qualifying reasons for leaving, being able and available for work, etc.

Oh god, those were dark times. I waited 8 weeks for my first payment back then. The system was completely overwhelmed.

Yeah, and remember all the fraud issues too? Washington ESD was paying out billions in fake claims. They've tightened security a lot since then.

The fraud thing was crazy. But now it's swung the other way - they're so careful about verification that legitimate claims get delayed for weeks in adjudication.

That's encouraging! Was it a straightforward layoff or did you have any complications?

Pretty straightforward - company downsizing, got my separation letter, had all my wage info ready. I think being prepared helps a lot.

Wow, when you put it in actual numbers like that, 160,000 people is still a lot. Makes me feel less alone about being unemployed.

Exactly. And that's just the people actively looking. Doesn't count people who are between jobs, working part-time, or dealing with other employment issues.

How much did Claimyr cost? I'm hesitant to pay for something that should be free.

I get the hesitation, but after weeks of not being able to reach anyone at Washington ESD, it was worth it to me. They have the pricing on their website, but honestly the time saved was invaluable.

Right, I should probably focus on making sure I meet all the requirements rather than worrying about the big picture numbers.

Exactly. Check your online account to see your wage credits and make sure you understand the job search requirements. That's what will actually determine if you get benefits.

I feel you. Sometimes the jobs that are available don't match people's skills or pay enough to live on. That's why partial unemployment benefits exist.

Yeah, I've been doing some gig work but it's not consistent enough. Might need to look into partial benefits.

Thanks, that's a good perspective. I'll stop overthinking it and just file this week.

Good luck! Make sure you have all your employer information and wage records ready when you file. It'll make the process smoother.

I filed from Tacoma (not eastern WA but outside Seattle) about 6 weeks ago and it took about 2 weeks to get approved. I don't think there are major regional differences in processing times since it all goes through the same Washington ESD system, but your individual case complexity matters more. If you have a straightforward layoff with clear documentation, you should be fine regardless of location. Good luck with your claim!