What qualifies for unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

That makes sense! I think I should meet the wage requirement since I worked steadily for 18 months. What about the job search thing though?

You'll need to make at least 3 job search activities each week and keep a log. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking, etc. Washington ESD has a list of approved activities on their website.

Oh no, that's what I'm worried about! How did you finally get through?

I actually found this service called Claimyr that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an agent. Saved me so much time and frustration. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Is that legit? I'm always skeptical of third-party services for government stuff.

Good to know! I was planning to spend this week just applying to jobs but I'll file the claim first.

Yeah definitely don't wait. Even if you think you might not qualify, it's better to apply and find out than miss out on benefits you're entitled to.

What kind of info do I need to have ready before I start the application?

You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months (including employer names, addresses, dates worked, and reason for separation), and any separation documents like termination letters.

That sounds stressful! What counts as a valid job search activity?

Job applications, contacting employers directly, attending job fairs, networking events, career counseling sessions, skills assessments. Just make sure you keep detailed records with dates and specifics.

I use WorkSourceWA to track mine since it's integrated with the Washington ESD system. Makes it easier when you file your weekly claims.

What defines 'suitable work'? Can they make me take any job?

Generally it's work that matches your skills and pays at least 70% of your previous wage, but the longer you're unemployed the more flexibility they expect. After 5 weeks they can consider jobs paying less.

Are you stuck in adjudication? That's usually what causes the long delays.

Yeah something about verifying my identity even though I sent all the documents they asked for. It's ridiculous.

This is exactly why I recommend Claimyr - you can actually talk to a human at Washington ESD to get status updates instead of waiting forever. Check out claimyr.com

I wasn't planning on school but if it helps with benefits that might be worth looking into.

The Training Benefits program can extend your unemployment if you're in an approved training program. Definitely worth checking out if you want to learn new skills.

Good tip! I'll make sure to set that up when I apply.

When do you file the weekly claims? Is there a specific day?

You can file starting Sunday for the previous week. I always do mine Sunday morning so I don't forget. The system is usually less busy then too.

Yeah it was definitely not my choice! The whole chain is closing down unfortunately.

That's actually perfect for unemployment purposes - no question about eligibility when it's a business closure.

What if I pick up a few shifts somewhere? Does that disqualify me completely?

No, you can work part-time but they'll reduce your weekly benefit based on how much you earn. There's a formula they use - I think you can earn up to about $200 without any reduction.

That would actually help a lot with my rent and bills while I'm looking for something new.

Yeah it's not amazing but it definitely helps bridge the gap. Just remember it's taxable income so you might want to have taxes withheld.

Ugh that sounds annoying. Any tips for dealing with the website issues?

Save your progress frequently if there's an option, and try using a different browser if one isn't working. Sometimes clearing your cache helps too.

What documents do they typically want for identity verification?

Usually a photo ID, Social Security card, and some kind of address verification like a utility bill. But if you get flagged for additional verification they might want tax returns or pay stubs too.

I'll try that if I need to call them. Hopefully the online application works smoothly.

I tried calling at 8 AM sharp and still waited 2 hours. That's when I ended up using Claimyr and got through in like 10 minutes.

That makes sense. I'll focus on other retail positions and maybe some customer service roles since that's my background.

Thanks everyone! This thread has been super helpful. I'm going to apply today and start my job search. Really appreciate all the advice.

You're welcome! Feel free to come back if you run into any issues during the process. This community is pretty good about helping each other out with Washington ESD stuff.