When can I get unemployment benefits through Washington ESD?

Thanks! So I can file today even though I just lost my job on Friday?

Yes, definitely file today. The sooner you file, the sooner your claim gets processed. Just make sure you have all your employment information ready.

What kind of issues could delay it?

Things like if they need to verify your employment history, if there's a question about why you lost your job, or if your former employer contests the claim. That's when it goes into adjudication.

I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an ESD agent. They handle the calling for you and get you connected when an agent is available. Check out claimyr.com - there's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Really? That sounds too good to be true. Does it actually work?

It worked for me! I was stuck in adjudication for 3 weeks and couldn't get through on my own. They got me connected within a day and I was able to get my issue resolved.

Do I need to start the job search right away or can I wait until I start getting benefits?

Start immediately. The job search requirement begins the week you file your claim, not when you start receiving benefits.

I know it seems overwhelming at first, but once you get through the initial filing process it becomes more routine. The weekly claims are pretty straightforward.

This happened to me! I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and finally got through to find out what documents they needed from me. Saved me weeks of waiting.

How do I know if my claim is in adjudication?

It will show on your eServices account. You'll see a status that says something like 'adjudication in progress' or similar.

Oh no! Did that affect your benefits?

Yes, you can only backdate your claim one week, so I lost about 7 weeks of potential benefits. It was a expensive mistake.

That sounds complicated. How do I figure out what my base period is?

When you file your claim, they'll tell you what your base period is and calculate your weekly benefit amount for you. Don't stress about doing the math yourself.

What happens if I get sick after I start receiving benefits?

You'd mark that you weren't able and available for work that week. You probably won't get paid for that week, but it won't hurt your overall claim.

Good luck! Hopefully we both get through this process quickly.

Thanks! I'll let you know how it goes if you want to update us on your situation too.

Great advice! Is there anything else I should know before I file today?

Have your Social Security number, driver's license, and information about your last employer ready. Also any other employers you worked for in the past 18 months. That should cover the basics.

Try filing early in the morning or late at night when there's less traffic on the website. Peak hours can be really slow.

Is that something I do right away or later?

You should register within a few days of filing your unemployment claim. It's a separate website from the ESD site.

I'm so glad I asked! Everyone here has been amazing with advice.

How much does something like that cost?

I'd rather not get into specifics about cost, but for me it was worth it to avoid the stress of calling all day every day. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person at ESD.

That's reassuring to hear from someone with experience!

Hopefully mine goes that smoothly too!

Thank you! I'm feeling much more confident about filing now.

That's great to hear! Remember to file today if possible and don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions.