When can I file for unemployment - Washington ESD timing requirements?

Thanks! So I should wait until the Sunday after my termination date?

Exactly. That way your claim starts the right week and you won't have any backdating issues.

What happened when you filed early? Did it delay your payments?

Yeah it created a whole mess with the dates. They had to adjust everything and it took weeks to fix.

What separation paperwork should I ask for from HR?

Your final pay stub, any severance info, and the reason for separation. Washington ESD will need those details for your claim.

Never heard of that service before. Does it actually work to get through the phone lines?

Worked for me! I was spending hours on hold every day and getting nowhere. This got me through right away.

File the Sunday of the week you lose your job. So if you're fired Wednesday, file that coming Sunday.

ok got it thanks

Good point - I was thinking about taking a few days off but maybe I should wait until after I file.

Yeah, you need to be ready to work when you file your claim or it can cause complications.

That website is terrible. Half the links don't even work properly.

True, it's not user friendly at all. But the timing info is buried in there somewhere.

Do I need exact dates or just approximate months?

Try to get exact dates if possible. The more accurate your info, the smoother your claim process will be.

Good to know I don't have to wait for business hours to file online.

Nope, anytime after midnight Sunday you can file for that week.

Severance can affect your claim timing. You may need to wait until your severance period ends before you can collect benefits.

Ugh, so I might not get unemployment for 2 weeks even if I file right away?

Depends on how your severance is structured. Washington ESD will review it when you file your claim.

Thanks for the tip! I'll set an alarm for Sunday morning.

Yeah, I always filed around 6am and never had any website issues.

How would I know if they contest it? Would Washington ESD tell me?

Yes, you'll get a notice if there's any dispute about your separation reason. Then you might have to provide more documentation.

How much does that service cost? Is it worth it?

For me it was totally worth it just to avoid the stress of calling all day. Much easier than sitting on hold for hours.

You don't need to register with WorkSource before filing, but you'll need to do it eventually as part of your job search requirements.

Ok thanks, one less thing to worry about right now.

It's because unemployment benefits are calculated by the week, and their system runs on a Sunday to Saturday schedule.

I guess that makes sense but it's still annoying if you get fired on a Monday and have to wait almost a week to file.

How many job applications do I need to submit each week?

I think it's 3 job search activities per week, but check the current requirements when you file your claim.

Good to know - I was planning to file online anyway.

Smart choice. The online system walks you through everything step by step.

Seems like a lot of people are recommending that service. Might be worth bookmarking just in case.

Yeah definitely keep it handy. You never know when you'll need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD.

So as long as I file on the Sunday after my last day of work, I should be good?

Exactly. And double check all your dates before submitting the application.

Good luck with everything! The filing process is pretty straightforward once you know the timing rules.

Thanks again to everyone who helped out. Really appreciate all the advice!