When can I start applying for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD?

You can file your claim the week you become unemployed, but not before your last day of work. So if Friday is your last day, you could technically file that day or wait until the following week. The key is making sure you're actually unemployed when you file.

just file on sunday after your last day, thats what i did and it worked fine. the washington esd website is usually less busy on weekends too

One thing to keep in mind is that there's a waiting week in Washington, so even if you file right away, you won't get paid for your first week of unemployment. Your benefits start from the second week. Make sure you have some savings to cover that gap.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about my claim status. Their phone lines are impossible. If you need to talk to someone, I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me connected to an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Make sure you have all your documents ready before you file - social security card, ID, employment history for the last 18 months, etc. The application asks for a lot of specific information.

ugh the washington esd system is so confusing, i made mistakes on my first claim and it took forever to fix

Also remember you need to file your weekly claims every week even while your initial claim is being processed. Don't wait for approval to start doing your weekly certifications.

The job search requirements kick in right away too. You need to log your job search activities every week. Washington ESD is pretty strict about that now.

Whatever you do, don't lie on your application. Washington ESD does check with employers and if they catch you in a lie, you could be disqualified and have to pay everything back.

expect the process to take a while if they need to verify anything with your employer. mine went into adjudication for like 5 weeks

I had good luck calling Washington ESD early in the morning around 8am when they first open. Lines are usually less busy then.

Pro tip: screenshot everything during the application process. If there are any issues later, you'll want proof of what you submitted.

If you do run into issues reaching Washington ESD by phone, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier has been a lifesaver for me and several people I know. They handle all the waiting and callback stuff.

Remember to keep track of all your unemployment payments for taxes. You'll need to report them as income next year.

the washington esd website crashes a lot during busy times so dont panic if you cant get in right away

Make sure your address is current in their system. Any mail from Washington ESD is important and you don't want it going to an old address.

If you worked for multiple employers, you'll need information for all of them going back 18 months. Don't forget about any part-time or temporary jobs.

washington esd sends you a debit card for payments, not checks. takes about a week to get the card after your first payment is issued

One last thing - if your employer offers severance pay, that might affect when you can start collecting unemployment. Check with Washington ESD about how severance impacts your eligibility timing.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more prepared now. I'll file my claim on Sunday after my last day and make sure I have all my documents ready. Hopefully the process goes smoothly.