When do I file my unemployment claim with Washington ESD - confused about timing

File your claim as soon as possible! There's no waiting period to file with Washington ESD. The sooner you file, the sooner your claim can start processing. You should file within the first week after becoming unemployed to avoid any delays in receiving benefits.

i waited like 2 weeks to file mine thinking i had to wait and it was a mistake... wish someone told me to file right away

The key thing to remember is that your claim is effective the Sunday of the week you file, not when you actually lost your job. So if you got laid off on a Wednesday but don't file until the following Tuesday, you'll lose that first partial week of benefits. File as soon as you know you're going to be unemployed for more than a few days.

I struggled for weeks trying to get through to Washington ESD to ask questions about my claim timing. The phone lines are always busy and I kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me through to an agent in under 10 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration trying to reach someone at ESD.

FILE IMMEDIATELY! I cannot stress this enough. The Washington ESD system is already slow enough without adding unnecessary delays. I see people on here all the time who waited weeks thinking they had to and then their claims get all messed up.

Also, don't worry about WorkSource registration right now. You can do that after you file your initial claim. Washington ESD will send you information about the job search requirements and WorkSource registration as part of your claim process. Focus on getting that claim filed first.

What if you're not sure if you'll be called back to work? Like if it's a temporary layoff?

make sure you have all your employment info ready when you file - like your employer's info, your last day worked, how much you made, etc. speeds up the process

I'm in a similar situation - got laid off last Friday. Already filed my claim on Monday morning. The online application took about 30 minutes and wasn't too complicated. Just make sure you answer all the questions accurately.

Does anyone know if there are different rules for filing if you were fired vs laid off? Just wondering if timing changes based on the reason you're unemployed.

ugh i hate how confusing this all is... why can't they just make it simple and tell you exactly when to file on their website

Just want to add that if you're having trouble with the online system, you can also file by phone. Though good luck getting through - I tried calling for a week straight before I found that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. That actually worked to get me connected to ESD.

Pro tip: file your claim early in the week if possible. If you file on a Friday afternoon and there are issues, you might not be able to get help until Monday.

I remember being so nervous about filing mine because I thought I might mess something up. But honestly, the application is pretty straightforward. Just take your time and read the questions carefully.

One thing to keep in mind - make sure you keep records of when you filed and any confirmation numbers you get. You'll probably need them later if there are any questions about your claim.

The bottom line is FILE NOW. Don't overthink it, don't wait for the perfect time, just get your claim started. Every day you wait is potentially money you're losing.

For what it's worth, I used that Claimyr thing when I needed to check on my claim status a few weeks ago. Worked exactly like they showed in their demo video. Sometimes you need to talk to an actual person at ESD and their regular phone lines are impossible.

Hope your claim goes smoothly! The waiting is the worst part but at least you're getting it filed right away instead of delaying like some people do.

Quick update - I filed my claim about an hour ago and got a confirmation email already. The whole process took maybe 45 minutes. Thanks everyone for pushing me to file right away instead of waiting!