When can you apply for unemployment benefits in Washington - timing questions

Thanks! So I shouldn't file on the 15th itself, but wait until that Sunday?

Exactly. The claim week runs Sunday through Saturday, so you always file on Sunday for the previous week.

Thanks! So I file Sunday but when does the actual benefit period start? Is there still a waiting week?

No waiting week in Washington anymore - they eliminated it during COVID and it stayed gone. Your benefit year starts the Sunday you file, and you can claim that first week.

Oh good! I was worried about going a whole extra week without income.

Yeah they got rid of the waiting week during COVID and never brought it back thankfully

Perfect, so if Friday is my last day I can file that Sunday? And no waiting week anymore - that's good news!

yep exactly, file Sunday morning if you can. the system is less busy then

Thanks! So I should file right after February 15th then? I was worried about filing too early.

Exactly - file the week of February 15th. The earlier you file, the earlier your claim gets processed and you can start receiving benefits once any waiting periods are over.

What kind of employment history details do they need exactly?

Employer names, addresses, dates of employment, reason for separation, and gross wages earned. The more accurate you are, the faster your claim will process.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an actual person. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that but sounds interesting. Did it actually work for you?

Yeah, got through in about 20 minutes instead of hours of trying myself. Really helpful when you need to talk to someone about your specific situation.

Oh no! Did that delay your benefits by 3 weeks then?

yep exactly 3 weeks lost because nobody told me you could file right away

Good point, I'll gather all that paperwork this week while I'm still at work. Easier to get HR info now than later.

Also get your Social Security card and driver's license ready. The online application will ask for those too.

What if you get laid off but have to work a few more days for training your replacement? Is the separation date your actual last day or when you got notice?

Separation date is your actual last day of work, not when you got notice. If you're still working, you're still employed even if you know you're getting laid off.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents without the endless waiting. Check out their website at claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration.

That sounds too good to be true. How does it actually work?

They basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when they get an agent on the line. I was skeptical too but it actually worked - got through in like 30 minutes instead of trying for days.

What kind of issues did you run into? I'm getting nervous about this whole process.

they made me wait longer because of the severance timing. took forever to get someone on the phone to explain it properly

Never heard of Claimyr before - does it actually work? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days with no luck.

It worked great for me. You basically tell them when you want to call and they handle getting you through to an agent. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

How much does something like that cost though? I'm already worried about money.

It's worth checking out their site for details. For me, the peace of mind was worth it since I needed answers about my specific situation.

Is the online system pretty straightforward to use?

Yeah, it walks you through each step. Just make sure you have a stable internet connection because if it times out you might have to start over.

So I file the initial claim Sunday, then what? Do I file a weekly claim that same week?

Yes, you'll file weekly claims starting that first week. Each weekly claim covers the previous week, so your first weekly claim will be for that first week of unemployment.

This is correct. I work in HR and always tell our laid-off employees to file immediately after their last day of work.

Good to know - I'll definitely file right away then. Better safe than sorry.

That's the waiting week for benefits, not for filing. You file immediately but there's typically a one-week waiting period before benefits start.

Oh that makes more sense. This whole system is so confusing!

Yikes, how much did waiting cost you? Now I'm definitely filing right away.

Like 3 weeks of benefits because I overthought it. Don't be like me - file immediately when you're unemployed.

Wait really? How does that work exactly? I've been calling for 3 weeks trying to fix an issue with my weekly claim.

They basically call for you and wait in line, then connect you when an agent picks up. Way better than sitting on hold for hours just to get hung up on.

Hmm sounds too good to be true but at this point I'm desperate. My claim has been in adjudication for a month.

How do the weekly claims work exactly?

You log in every week and answer questions about whether you worked, looked for work, were available for work, etc. Usually takes 5-10 minutes.

And you have to do your job search activities too - 3 per week in Washington unless you're on standby

What's the base period? Is that just the last year of work?

Base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024.

Sorry to hear about your layoff too. At least we're both getting good info here.

What counts as 'able and available'? I'm planning to take a week vacation right after I get laid off - will that affect my benefits?

Yes, if you're not available for work during that week you can't claim benefits for it. You'll need to report the vacation when you file your weekly claim.

This is confusing. So even if I'm laid off I can't go on vacation? That seems harsh.

I am getting 2 weeks severance. Will that delay my unemployment?

Severance is usually deductible from unemployment benefits. You'll still want to file your claim on time, but those weeks with severance might not be payable.

Exactly. File anyway to get your claim established, just report the severance when you do your weekly claims.

How long did it usually take to get your first payment?

If everything goes smoothly, about 2-3 weeks. But that was before COVID - might be different now with all the changes they made.

Unless you get stuck in adjudication hell like I did. Took 6 weeks to resolve a simple issue.

True, adjudication can still be slow if there's any question about your separation or eligibility.

Good point. I should start gathering that info now. Do I need pay stubs or will they get wage info from my employer?

They'll verify wages with your employer, but having your own records helps if there are any discrepancies. Always good to have backup documentation.

Do I need to start job searching immediately or is there a grace period after filing?

You need to start searching for the first week you claim benefits. No grace period anymore.

3 contacts seems like a lot when there aren't many jobs in my field. What if I can't find 3 legitimate opportunities each week?

You claim the full week Sunday through Saturday. It doesn't matter what days you normally worked - if you're unemployed and available for work during that week, you claim the whole week.

OK that makes sense. Thanks for clarifying!

Oh wow I didn't know that. So even during the waiting week I need to file weekly claims?

Yes! You have to file every week to keep your claim active. Miss a week and you might have to start over.

This is critical - I see so many people mess this up. Set a reminder on your phone to file weekly claims every Sunday.

Good point. My company said it's a reduction in force so that should be straightforward.

Yeah, RIF is usually pretty clear cut for unemployment eligibility.

Unless something goes wrong with your claim, then good luck reaching anyone to fix it!

True, that's when you need patience or one of those services that calls for you.

18 months?? That seems like a lot. Do they really need that much history?

They need to calculate your benefit amount based on your earnings, so yes they need the full work history. Better to have too much info than too little.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs or other things too?

Applications, networking events, job fairs, informational interviews, even updating your LinkedIn profile can count. Keep detailed records of everything.

Definitely worth trying if you need to talk to someone. The hold times are just ridiculous otherwise.

Yeah the whole system seems designed to make you give up. Thanks for the recommendation.

I haven't even thought about health insurance yet. This is getting overwhelming.

Don't stress too much - just take it one step at a time. File your initial claim first, then worry about the weekly details.

Three times? That's rough. Thanks for the advice from experience though.

Yeah, construction work is feast or famine. But I've gotten good at navigating the Washington ESD system!

I'm being laid off due to company downsizing, so that should be fine right?

yeah layoffs are usually straightforward. just make sure your employer reports it correctly when they get contacted

You can backdate a claim in some cases, but it's better to file as soon as you're eligible to avoid complications.

I had to backdate mine and it took extra time to process. Definitely file on time if you can.

That's good to know. Are they open regular business hours?

Yeah, most are open Monday through Friday. You can check locations and hours on the WorkSource website.

That's reassuring! Did you have any issues with the job search requirements?

Not really. Just had to track 3 job search activities per week and report them when I filed my weekly claims.

Great tip! I'll look for that checklist. Having everything organized ahead of time sounds smart.

Same here! 6 weeks in adjudication and no updates. I'm about to lose my apartment.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr - got through to an agent who could actually look at my file and explain what was happening.

At this point I'm willing to try anything. The uncertainty is killing me.

Why would they contest it if it's a layoff? Seems like that would be pretty straightforward.

Some employers contest everything to try to keep their unemployment tax rates down. It's frustrating but happens.

Wait I thought you could backdate further than that? I filed 3 weeks late last year.

They might have made exceptions during COVID but the normal rule is one week maximum for backdating.

Good to know! I'll set a reminder to file every Sunday.

The system goes down for maintenance sometimes too, usually Sunday nights.

I feel you. The system definitely isn't user-friendly. Just take it step by step.

It does seem overwhelming at first, but once you get into the routine of filing weekly claims it becomes pretty automatic.

How many weeks of benefits do you get in Washington? I heard it varies.

Usually 26 weeks but it depends on how much you earned in your base period. Check your monetary determination letter.

How does that calculation work? My hours got cut to 20 per week.

They subtract a portion of your weekly earnings from your benefit amount. If you still have some benefit left after the deduction, you get a partial payment.

Good reminder. I'll make sure to be completely honest about everything.

They cross-reference with employment records so yeah, don't risk it.

Should I print everything out or are digital copies okay?

Digital is fine, just make sure you back them up somewhere safe. Screenshots work too.

How long does it take to complete the weekly claim? I'm worried about messing something up.

Maybe 5-10 minutes once you know what you're doing. Take your time the first few weeks until you get comfortable.

How do you find out the reason for denial? Do they send a letter?

Yes, they'll send a determination letter explaining the decision. Read it carefully and gather any documentation you need for your appeal.

Is it worth the cost though? I'm already tight on money.

For me it was worth it to get answers about my claim. Time is money when you're waiting for benefits.

Agreed! Lots of good advice here. Good luck with your claim!

Hope it goes smoothly for both of you. The system works when it works, it's just the getting help part that's hard.

Can I set that up when I file my initial claim or do I have to wait?

You can do it during the initial application. Just have your bank account and routing number ready.

Adjudication hell sounds terrifying. I'm definitely filing right away now.

It's when they have to investigate your claim for some reason. Can take forever to resolve. Better to file correctly from the start.

Ugh, I forgot about taxes. Should I have them withheld or pay later?

Depends on your tax situation. If you usually owe taxes, might be easier to have them withheld. If you get refunds, you might prefer the bigger payments now.

Perfect summary! This thread has been incredibly helpful. Thanks everyone for all the advice.

Seems like a lot of people have had good experiences with them. Good to know there are options when the normal system doesn't work.

Thanks! Feeling much more confident about the process now. I'll file right after my last day of work.

Same here. Sometimes it takes multiple attempts to reach someone at Washington ESD but they do eventually help.

Or use Claimyr if you're having trouble getting through. Saved me hours of calling.

Can you explain that difference?

Your claim starts the Sunday of the week you file, but you can't file your first weekly claim until the following Sunday. So there's about a week delay before you can file your first weekly claim.

Right, and that first weekly claim is when you actually request payment for that first week of unemployment.

You're welcome! Feel free to ask if you run into any issues during the process.

Good luck with your claim! The Washington ESD system is much more user-friendly than it used to be.

Definitely planning to be completely honest on all my weekly claims.

Smart approach. Honesty is always the best policy with unemployment claims.

Yeah the website can be glitchy, especially Sunday mornings when everyone's trying to file. Try late evening or early morning weekdays if you're having trouble.

good tip, will try that instead of sunday when everyone's on there

When do you have to register with WorkSource? Right away or can you wait a few weeks?

You should register within your first week of filing. It's one of the requirements to remain eligible for benefits.

Oh wow, what happened when you filed early? Did they deny your claim?

They had to adjust my benefit year start date and it delayed everything by like 2 weeks. Was a hassle to fix.

This should be pinned at the top of every unemployment discussion! Clear and simple.

Thanks everyone! This thread answered all my questions about timing. Filing this Sunday!

Nope, you still file the Sunday after your last day regardless of holidays. The Washington ESD system processes claims the same way every week.

Perfect, thanks! Was worried about the Christmas week timing.

I used Claimyr last month when I couldn't get through on my own. Worth it just for the time saved - got connected to an agent in about 45 minutes instead of calling for days. Check out the demo video to see how it works.

thanks, will check it out. this phone situation is ridiculous

What happens if you find a job after like 10 weeks but then get laid off again within that same benefit year?

You can reopen your existing claim if it's within the same benefit year. You don't have to file a completely new claim.

Same here! Pride got in the way and cost me money. File as soon as you're eligible even if you think you'll find work quickly.

Good point. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!

Yeah this was way more helpful than trying to navigate their website. Real people explaining things beats bureaucratic language any day.

Great advice! Will definitely save everything. Thanks again everyone for all the help with timing questions!