What is the unemployment benefits process in Washington - complete beginner confused

Don't worry, everyone feels overwhelmed their first time! Unemployment insurance (UI) is basically a safety net program that gives you weekly payments when you lose your job through no fault of your own. In Washington, you apply through the Employment Security Department (ESD) website at esd.wa.gov. You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and bank info for direct deposit.

The whole process is pretty straightforward once you get started. You file an initial claim, then file weekly claims every week to get paid. The weekly amount depends on your previous wages - it's usually around 60-70% of what you were making, up to a maximum amount that changes each year.

Just heads up - you'll also need to do job searches every week and report them when you file your weekly claim. It's usually 3 job search activities per week in Washington. Keep track of where you apply, when, and what type of contact you made.

One thing that really helped me was using Claimyr when I needed to talk to someone at Washington ESD. The phone lines are always busy and you can spend hours trying to get through. Claimyr calls for you and gets you connected to an actual person. Check out their website at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

ugh the whole system is so confusing when you're new to it. took me forever to figure out all the acronyms and stuff. ESD is employment security department, UI is unemployment insurance, there's also stuff about adjudication which is when they review your claim for issues

Here's what I wish someone had told me when I started: create your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account first, then use that to access the ESD website. Write down all your login info because you'll need it every week. And take screenshots of everything - confirmation numbers, submission pages, everything.

Make sure you have direct deposit set up! Paper checks take forever and can get lost in the mail. The ESD website will ask for your bank routing and account numbers during the application process.

Pro tip: when you're doing your job searches, use WorkSourceWA.com - it's the state's job search website and some of your activities there count toward your weekly requirements. Plus ESD can see your activity there which helps show you're actively looking.

Don't forget about the taxes! Unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or you'll owe money when you file your tax return next year.

seriously though the hardest part is just getting started. once you file that first claim and do your first weekly filing, it becomes routine. i was terrified at first but now it's just part of my sunday routine

One more thing - you'll need to report any income you earn while collecting unemployment, even if it's just a few hours of part-time work. They'll reduce your benefits accordingly, but you won't necessarily lose them entirely.

Since you worked in a restaurant, make sure you include all your employers from the last 18 months when you apply. If you worked at multiple places or had any cash jobs, you need to list everything. Your benefit amount is based on your total wages during the base period.

If you run into any issues with your claim or need to speak with someone at ESD, definitely consider using Claimyr. The phone system is absolutely brutal - you'll be on hold for hours if you can even get through. I learned about it from someone on Reddit and it was a game changer.

Remember that unemployment is insurance that you and your employer paid into while you were working. You're not asking for charity - you're claiming benefits you're entitled to. Don't feel bad about needing help during a tough time.

The ESD website can be glitchy sometimes, especially on Sundays when everyone is filing their weekly claims. If you're having trouble, try filing early in the week or late at night when there's less traffic.

Download the ESD app if you have a smartphone - it makes filing weekly claims much easier than using the website. You can do it from anywhere and it saves your info.

My biggest mistake was not keeping good records of my job search activities. Get a notebook or use your phone to track every application, every contact, every job fair you attend. You'll need those details when you file your weekly claims.

honestly the whole thing seems way more complicated than it needs to be but once you get through the initial setup it's not too bad. just take it one step at a time and don't try to understand everything at once

Last piece of advice - if your claim gets flagged for adjudication (review), don't panic. It's pretty common and usually resolves within a few weeks. They might need to verify your employment or reason for separation. Just respond to any requests for information quickly and accurately.

Good luck with your application! The restaurant industry has been tough lately but there are lots of opportunities out there. Use your unemployment time to maybe explore some new career options too.