When can I apply for Washington ESD unemployment benefits - timing questions

You can file your initial claim with Washington ESD as soon as you're unemployed, which would be February 16th in your case. Don't wait until your severance runs out - file right after your last day of work. The severance might affect your benefit payments but you still want to get the claim started.

definitely file asap after your last day. i made the mistake of waiting and it delayed everything by weeks. the adjudication process takes forever if there are any issues

I had a similar situation last year with severance pay. Filed my claim immediately after my last day but had to wait 3 weeks to actually receive benefits because of the severance timing. The key is getting your claim in the system early. Also, if you run into issues reaching Washington ESD by phone, I discovered claimyr.com which helped me get through to an actual agent when I couldn't get past the busy signals. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

File your claim within the first week after your last day of work. Washington ESD processes claims faster when you apply promptly. Your severance will be reported as income during your weekly claims, which might reduce your benefit amount temporarily but won't prevent you from qualifying.

DONT WAIT!!! I waited 2 months thinking I had to use up all my savings first and it was a HUGE mistake. You lose out on benefits you could have been getting. File the day after your last day of work.

One important thing to remember - your benefit year starts when you file your claim, not when you start receiving payments. So filing early protects that benefit year even if severance delays your actual payments.

also make sure you understand the job search requirements. you have to be actively looking for work and keeping a log, even if you're getting severance

Pro tip: apply online at secure.esd.wa.gov on a weekday morning if possible. The system is less busy and you're less likely to run into technical issues.

I'm in a similar boat but my employer is disputing my unemployment. Should I still file right away or wait until that's resolved?

Question about the severance thing - mine is being paid out as a lump sum on my last day. Does that change when I should file?

Just went through this process myself. Filed on day 1 after my layoff and it took about 10 days for my claim to be approved. The hardest part was actually getting through to someone at Washington ESD when I had questions. Thank god for that claimyr service someone mentioned earlier - it saved me hours of calling.

everyone's giving good advice here but dont forget you need to register with WorkSource too for the job search requirements

This thread is super helpful! I got laid off last week and was totally confused about the timing. Filing my claim tomorrow morning.

Another thing - screenshot everything when you're filing online. The system sometimes glitches and you want proof of what you submitted and when.

wait so if i file right after my last day but have severance, do i still get unemployment money or not?

For anyone still struggling to reach Washington ESD by phone after filing, I can't recommend claimyr enough. Used it again last week when I had questions about my job search log and got through in under 30 minutes instead of the usual 3-hour hold times.

my advice is file asap and then be patient. the system is slow but it works. took 6 weeks to get my first payment but i got backpay for all the weeks i was eligible

This whole thread should be pinned somewhere. So much good info about filing timing and the application process.

Final reminder for OP - file your claim on February 16th, report your severance during weekly claims, keep your job search log updated, and don't hesitate to reach out for help if you run into issues. Washington ESD can be challenging to navigate but the benefits are worth it.

Just want to add that when you file your initial claim, make sure you have your employer's information handy including their federal employer identification number (FEIN) if possible. Washington ESD will need details about your job separation and having all the info ready will make the process smoother. Also, if you worked for multiple employers in the past 18 months, you'll need employment dates and wages from all of them. The more complete your initial application, the less likely you'll face delays or need to provide additional documentation later.