When can you file for unemployment benefits in Washington state?

So I can file the day after my last day of work? I thought there might be some waiting period before you're even allowed to file.

Yes, you can file the very next day. The waiting period is for receiving benefits, not for filing the initial claim.

That's good to know! I was worried I had to wait until I'd been unemployed for a full week or something.

Yeah definitely file ASAP. I made the mistake of waiting two weeks when I got laid off last year and it just delayed everything unnecessarily.

Thanks! So I file the Sunday after my last day of work? And then I have to wait a week before getting paid?

Exactly. The waiting week is unpaid, but it starts your claim. Make sure to file your weekly claims every week even during the waiting period.

Thanks! So if my last day is Friday, I should file that Sunday? And I just report the separation pay when I do my weekly claim?

Exactly. File your initial claim on Sunday, then do your first weekly claim the following Sunday. You'll report any wages or separation pay for the weeks they apply to.

You're right, I should have been clearer. You can file any day after separation, but weekly claims always start on Sunday regardless of when you file your initial claim.

Got it, so I could file Saturday if I wanted to get it started right away?

Yep, as long as it's after your last day ends. Just remember your benefit week always runs Sunday to Saturday.

Same here! The site kept timing out every time I tried to submit my application.

If you're having trouble with the website, try using Claimyr - it's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents by phone. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ and the site is claimyr.com. Really helpful when the online system isn't working.

Never heard of that but might be worth trying if the website keeps crashing.

Wait, so if you file late you lose those weeks of potential benefits?

Exactly. You can't get benefits for weeks before you filed your claim, even if you were unemployed during those weeks.

I had the same problem reaching Washington ESD by phone. Someone on here mentioned Claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you get through to ESD agents. I tried their system and actually got connected within an hour. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Really? That actually worked for you? I'm so frustrated with trying to call them directly.

This is helpful. So I file my initial claim right away, then file weekly claims including for the waiting week?

Exactly right. File everything on schedule, you just won't get paid for that first week.

I am getting two weeks severance. Does that mean I can't get unemployment for those two weeks?

Depends on how it's structured. If it's pay in lieu of notice, it might be allocated to specific weeks. If it's a lump sum severance, different rules apply. You should still file and report it accurately.

I had the same problem last month until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents automatically. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Finally got my questions answered after weeks of trying on my own.

Never heard of that but I'm desperate at this point. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit. They basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent is available. Saved me hours of frustration trying to get through myself.

Do I need my former employer's federal tax ID number or is the business name and address enough?

Business name and address should be sufficient, but having the tax ID helps if there are any issues verifying your employment history.

I had the same problem until I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents without spending hours on hold. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

Interesting, I'll check that out. I'm desperate at this point - been trying to call for three weeks straight.

I used Claimyr too and it actually worked. Got connected to an agent within a few hours instead of the usual endless busy signals.

I was laid off due to company downsizing, so I think I should be okay on that front.

Perfect, then you should have no issues with eligibility. Just make sure to file as soon as possible.

I've been at my current job for over a year and worked full time, so I should be good on that front.

Then you're all set. Just don't delay filing - there's really no advantage to waiting.

Is the online system pretty straightforward? I'm not great with computer stuff.

yeah its not too bad just take your time and have all your info ready. if you mess up you can always call and fix it later

You can file the same week you lose your job, but benefits are calculated by weekly periods that run Sunday through Saturday. Severance might affect your eligibility depending on how it's paid out.

My severance is being paid as a lump sum. Does that mean I can't file for unemployment right away?

Lump sum severance usually doesn't delay your claim, but severance paid over time might. You should still file and let Washington ESD determine eligibility.

Oh no! So if I wait too long I lose money? That's scary.

Yeah, you can't backdate claims in Washington. The week you file is when your claim starts, even if you were unemployed earlier.

That's not entirely true. You can sometimes backdate claims but only in very specific circumstances and you need to prove good cause for the delay.

What happens if I work a few hours one week? Do I still file a weekly claim?

Yes, you still file and report the hours you worked. Washington ESD will calculate partial benefits if you qualify.

Yikes, that's exactly what I'm worried about. How did you end up fixing it?

Had to call repeatedly until I got someone who knew what they were doing. Took forever and was a nightmare. Just don't make my mistake!

What causes a claim to go into adjudication? Is there anything I can do to avoid that?

Adjudication happens when Washington ESD needs to verify information about your employment or eligibility. Sometimes it's random, sometimes it's triggered by discrepancies in your work history.

Having all your employment documentation ready and being completely accurate on your application helps minimize adjudication delays.

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

You need to make at least 3 job search activities per week. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking activities, or taking approved training courses.

Good tip! I'll try to file during a weekday afternoon when hopefully there's less traffic on the system.

You can file for partial unemployment if your hours or wages were reduced. Washington allows this as long as you're working less than full time and earning less than your weekly benefit amount would be.

Good to know! My hours got cut from 40 to about 15 per week so this might help.

Makes sense. I'll file this weekend after my last day on Friday.

Smart move. And remember you'll need to keep filing weekly claims to continue getting benefits, even if your claim is still being processed.

Yes, you might qualify for partial unemployment benefits. You'd need to file a claim and report your reduced hours and earnings each week.

Thanks! I wasn't sure if I could file while still technically employed.

I did this when my restaurant cut everyone to part-time. Just make sure to report your earnings accurately or you could get in trouble for overpayment.

I had the same problem trying to reach them. Someone mentioned Claimyr earlier - I actually tried it and it worked! Got through to an agent the same day. Worth checking out at claimyr.com if you're stuck.

Really? I might have to try that. The regular phone lines are impossible.

Mine is labeled as 'pay in lieu of notice' for two weeks. So that would count as wages for those specific weeks?

Most likely yes. Pay in lieu of notice usually gets allocated to specific weeks, meaning you wouldn't be eligible for UI benefits during those weeks. But you should still file your claim and report it properly.

This is why it's important to read your separation paperwork carefully. The exact wording matters for how Washington ESD will treat the payment.

18 months? I've only been at my current job for 8 months. Do I need info from my previous employer too?

Yes, you'll need employment information for all jobs you've held in the past 18 months. This helps determine your benefit amount based on your earnings history.

That's encouraging! What employment information did you need handy?

Employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and your reason for separation from each job in the last 18 months. Having pay stubs helps too.

Yeah I heard about that from older coworkers. Seems cruel to make people wait an extra week when they just lost their job.

It was terrible policy. The waiting week elimination was one of the few good things that came out of the pandemic changes.

The online system is available 24/7, though sometimes they do maintenance late at night. You can file your initial claim anytime, but weekly claims have to be filed between Sunday and Saturday of each week.

Perfect, thanks. I was worried I'd have to take time off my current job to file for my wife who just got let go.

Good point! I should gather all that info now before I actually need to file.

Also have your Social Security number and driver's license ready. The system will ask for all of that during the application.

That's exactly what I was worried about. Thanks for sharing your experience - it definitely convinced me to file right away.

I'm not in any special employment situation, just a regular full-time job that ended due to layoffs.

Then you're good to file immediately. Standby and seasonal considerations only apply to specific industries.

This is exactly what happened to me. Waited thinking I'd find something fast, took 3 months, and I lost out on those first couple weeks of benefits.

Good point. Better safe than sorry.

Smart tip! Sunday evenings are probably when the system has the least traffic.

I always file my weekly claims on Tuesday mornings and never have issues with the website.

How much does that service cost? I'm already worried about money while unemployed.

They focus on getting you connected rather than the cost being prohibitive. Check out their site for details, but for me it was worth it to get actual answers instead of stressing about doing something wrong.

Three times? That sounds rough. At least you know the process well now.

Yeah, economy's been tough in my industry. But knowing the system helps a lot when you have to use it.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs?

Applying for jobs, networking events, career fairs, informational interviews, updating your LinkedIn profile, working with WorkSourceWA - lots of things count. Keep detailed records of everything.

Good point. The job search requirement starts immediately when you file, not when you receive your first payment.

Three months?? That's insane. Have you been able to talk to anyone about what's taking so long?

I've tried calling hundreds of times. Either can't get through or they tell me it's still being reviewed. It's like being in unemployment purgatory.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. When my claim got stuck in adjudication, I used their service to actually reach an agent who could explain what was happening and give me a timeline. Sometimes you need someone who can navigate their phone system better than we can.

Yes! I had to try filing like 4 times because the site kept timing out during business hours.

Same experience. Filed at 6 AM on a Tuesday and it went through perfectly.

But good luck getting through on the phone! I tried for weeks before someone told me about Claimyr. That service actually got me connected to a real person at ESD who could answer my questions.

I'll have to check that out. The phone situation with ESD is really frustrating.

Hadn't thought of that. I'll ask HR if there are any special programs for our situation.

Yeah, sometimes there's job training funding or extended benefits for mass layoffs. Definitely worth asking about.

I did that by mistake and it messed up my whole claim. Had to call to get it straightened out.

That's when something like Claimyr would be helpful for getting through to fix issues like that.

So if I file my initial claim this Saturday, when would I file my first weekly claim?

Your first weekly claim would be for the week that includes this Saturday, and you'd file it the following Sunday or after.

I'm being laid off due to company downsizing, so hopefully that's the most straightforward situation.

Yes, layoffs are usually pretty straightforward for unemployment benefits. You should be fine.

That sounds complicated. Is there a way to estimate what my benefits might be before filing?

Washington ESD has a benefit calculator on their website that can give you an estimate based on your recent earnings.

Got it. Thanks everyone for all the advice! I feel much more confident about the process now.

You're welcome! This forum has been super helpful for me too when I was navigating unemployment.

I'm getting paid out for unused vacation days. Does that mean my separation date is later than my last day of work?

Not necessarily. Vacation payout usually doesn't extend your separation date, but you need to report it as wages for the period it represents. Check your termination paperwork for the official separation date.

What kind of additional information do they usually ask for?

Depends on your situation. Could be employment verification, wage records, reason for separation details, or identity verification. Having all your documents organized helps speed things up.

Good tip! I'll make sure to document everything as I go through the process.

Also save any reference numbers they give you. Those can be helpful when you need to call about your claim.

How would I know if they reported it wrong?

Washington ESD will send notices to both you and your employer about the claim. If there's a discrepancy in the separation reason or other details, it can trigger an investigation that delays benefits.

Yeah that seems to be everyone's biggest complaint. Hopefully I won't need to call but good to know there are options like that Claimyr service if I do.

I'm definitely looking into Claimyr after hearing multiple people mention it. Anything has to be better than sitting on hold for hours just to get disconnected.

I didn't know WorkSource could help with unemployment claims. I thought they were just for job searching.

They do both. WorkSource staff can help you understand the claim process and job search requirements. Sometimes it's easier than trying to reach Washington ESD directly.

Thanks everyone! This has been super helpful. I feel much more confident about filing now.

Good luck with your claim! Remember to file your weekly claims on time once you get started - that's usually where people run into problems later.

I've only worked in Washington so that shouldn't be an issue for me.

Perfect. That definitely simplifies things. Your claim should be straightforward then.

The day you file your initial claim doesn't matter for processing, but your benefit year starts the Sunday of that week regardless of which day you actually file.

Good to know, thanks! I was overthinking the timing.

That's reassuring. I was definitely overthinking whether I qualified.

Good tip! I probably would have refreshed if it seemed stuck.

I might try that too. Been calling Washington ESD for days with no luck.

Definitely worth trying. The video demo I mentioned earlier shows exactly how the process works so you know what to expect.

Good luck with your claim! Feel free to ask if you run into any issues during the filing process.

Yes, thanks to everyone who replied! I feel much more confident about filing now.

The online system saves your progress too if you need to take a break during the application.

Much better than the old paper forms that could get lost in the mail.

Good to know! I would have worried if my first week wasn't paid.

The waiting week is waived sometimes during emergencies, but normally you have to serve it.

What's standby status? I've never heard of that option.

It's for people who expect to return to the same job within a certain timeframe. Different rules for job search requirements.

I need to register with WorkSource too? Is that separate from the unemployment claim?

Yes, it's separate but required. You'll need to do job search activities and report them on your weekly claims.

Thanks everyone! This has been really helpful. I feel much more prepared now.

Good luck with your claim! The process isn't too bad once you know what to expect.

Good reminder. I'll screenshot everything as I go through the process.

Smart! I wish I had done that from the beginning. Would have saved me headaches later.