What you need to file unemployment benefits with Washington ESD - complete checklist

You've got the main ones covered! For Washington ESD applications, you'll definitely need: Social Security number, state ID or driver's license, complete employment history for the last 18 months (including employer names, addresses, dates worked, and reason for separation), and banking info if you want direct deposit. They'll also ask for your alien registration number if you're not a US citizen.

Don't forget you'll need your last pay stub or W-2 from your most recent job. Washington ESD uses this to verify your wages. Also make sure you know exactly why you lost your job - they're really specific about separation reasons and it affects your eligibility.

Just filed last month and the process was pretty straightforward once I had everything together. One thing that caught me off guard was they wanted my mother's maiden name for security questions. Also, if you've moved recently, make sure your address matches what's on your ID or be prepared to explain the discrepancy.

ugh this is exactly where I got stuck when I tried to apply. I kept getting errors on the Washington ESD website and couldn't get through to anyone on the phone to ask what I was missing. Has anyone had luck actually reaching someone at Washington ESD for help with applications?

Pro tip: have your employment start and end dates down to the exact day if possible. Washington ESD's system is picky about this stuff and approximate dates might slow down your claim processing.

Make sure you also know your gross wages for each job, not just hourly rate. Washington ESD calculates your benefit amount based on total earnings, so having accurate wage information speeds up the process.

Don't stress too much about having EVERYTHING perfect before you start. You can always upload additional documents later if Washington ESD needs them. The important thing is getting your claim filed quickly since benefits don't pay for the time before you apply.

If you're filing online (which is definitely the fastest way), make sure you have a reliable internet connection and plan for about 30-45 minutes to complete the whole application. Nothing worse than getting disconnected halfway through!

One more thing - if you're married, you might need your spouse's SSN and employment information too. Washington ESD doesn't always ask for it during the initial application, but they might request it later for verification purposes.

been through this process three times now (thanks 2020-2023 lol) and honestly the hardest part isn't gathering documents, it's actually getting help when something goes wrong. The phone system is brutal.

Quick question - do you need to wait until your last day of work to file, or can you file earlier if you know you're being laid off?

Also gather any severance pay information if you received any. Washington ESD needs to know about severance payments as they might affect when your benefits start.

this might be obvious but make sure you actually meet the work requirements. You need to have worked in Washington state (or certain other states) during your base period. Can't just move here and immediately file for benefits.

The Washington ESD website has a pretty good checklist too if you want an official source. But honestly, just having your work history and ID ready covers 90% of what you need. You're probably overthinking it.

If you've never filed before, you'll also need to set up a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account. That's the login system Washington ESD uses. Might as well do that first so you're not dealing with account setup when you're trying to file your claim.

Don't forget about the work search requirements that kick in after you file. You'll need to be actively looking for work and keeping track of your job search activities. Might as well start thinking about that now.

Last thing - take screenshots or photos of all your documents before you start the application. If something goes wrong with the upload process, you'll have backups ready to go.

Honestly the document gathering is the easy part. The real challenge is navigating Washington ESD's phone system when you need help. Save yourself the headache and use something like Claimyr if you run into issues. I wasted way too many hours trying to get through on my own.