When can I apply for unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

Thanks! So I can file this weekend after my last day on Friday? I was worried about filing too early.

Yes, you can file over the weekend. The Washington ESD website is available 24/7 for filing new claims.

Wait, so if you file late you lose benefits? I thought unemployment was retroactive to when you lost your job.

Nope, benefits start from when you file your claim, not when you became unemployed. That's why timing matters so much.

This is exactly why I always tell people to file immediately. The system doesn't work in your favor if you wait.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr.com - they help you get through to Washington ESD agents. I was skeptical at first but they actually got me connected within a few tries. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Interesting, I'll check that out. I'm desperate at this point - I need to speak to someone about my specific situation.

Claimyr worked for me too when I had adjudication issues. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.

Do I need pay stubs or just the employment dates and employer information?

You'll need employment dates, employer names and addresses, and gross wages earned. Pay stubs can be helpful but aren't always required for the initial application.

Washington eliminated the one-week waiting period in 2021. You can now receive benefits starting with your first week of unemployment if you're eligible and file your weekly claims on time.

Oh that's great news! I was dreading having to wait an extra week for my first payment.

Yeah that waiting period was such a pain. Glad they got rid of it, especially with how expensive everything is now.

I was laid off due to company downsizing, so I should be eligible. Thanks for the reminder about the requirements.

What if you were fired but it wasn't for misconduct? Like if you just weren't a good fit for the job?

That would depend on the specific circumstances. Washington ESD would review the reason for termination and make a determination. It's worth applying and letting them decide.

Three months is way too long. Have you tried calling them to check on the status? Sometimes adjudication gets stuck and needs a push.

I've tried calling literally hundreds of times. Either busy signal or I get disconnected after waiting for hours.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr for my adjudication issues. Got through to an agent who was able to expedite my claim review. Worth checking out if you're stuck.

Is there a best time of day to file online? I'm worried about the system being slow or crashing.

Early morning or late evening tend to have less traffic. Avoid Monday mornings when everyone is trying to file their weekly claims.

How do you file weekly claims? Is it the same website?

Yes, same website. You'll log in and file your weekly claim every week, usually on Sunday for the previous week. You'll need to report any work or income during that week.

Good to know. I'll make sure to set a reminder to file weekly claims once I get my initial claim submitted.

This happened to me! So frustrating. I had to restart the whole application three times before I got all my paperwork together first.

It's especially important to have accurate employer addresses and dates. Any mistakes can delay your claim processing.

That's outdated information. You should file as soon as you're unemployed. There's no benefit to waiting, and you could lose out on benefits by delaying.

Thanks for clarifying! I'm glad I asked here before waiting.

Yeah, I've heard that old advice too. The rules have changed over the years, so it's always best to get current information.

Good luck getting through on the phone though. I've been trying for weeks.

I used Claimyr to get through when I had questions about my complex work situation. They connected me with an agent who helped me understand exactly what information I needed for my claim.

That's a good point about the phone lines being difficult. The online application does have help text for most situations though.

That's encouraging! Sounds like when you file right away and do everything correctly, the system works pretty well.

Exactly. I was worried about all the horror stories I'd heard, but my experience was smooth because I filed immediately and followed all the requirements.