When do I file unemployment claim with Washington ESD - timing questions

File as soon as possible! There's no benefit to waiting. In Washington, you should file your initial claim within the first week after your last day of work. The sooner you file, the sooner your claim can be processed. Your benefit year starts the Sunday of the week you file, not when you were actually laid off.

Yeah definitely file right away. I made the mistake of waiting a few days when I got laid off last year and it just delayed everything. Washington ESD is pretty backed up so the earlier you get in the system the better.

There's no waiting period anymore in Washington - that was eliminated a few years ago. You can potentially get paid for your first week of unemployment. Make sure you have all your employment info ready when you file - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation.

I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my claim status and can never get through. The phone system is impossible. If you need to talk to someone after filing, there's actually a service called Claimyr that helps you get through to ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

File online through the Washington ESD website. It's way faster than trying to call. Make sure you file during off-peak hours if possible - early morning or late evening when the system isn't as busy.

DONT WAIT!! I waited like 5 days thinking I needed to wait until the next week started and it messed up my whole benefit year. File immediately after your last day of work. The system will figure out the dates correctly.

Also remember you'll need to file weekly claims even while your initial claim is being processed. Don't skip those or you'll miss out on benefits for those weeks.

Make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and bank account info ready if you want direct deposit. Also helps to have pay stubs from your last job.

One thing to keep in mind - if your employer contests your claim, it could delay things. Hope that doesn't happen but just be prepared for the possibility of adjudication.

i filed mine like 6 months after getting laid off and still got backpay so maybe its not that urgent? idk the system is confusing

The Washington ESD website has a good checklist of what you need before filing. Definitely check that out first so you have everything ready. Nothing worse than getting halfway through and realizing you're missing something important.

Pro tip: screenshot or write down your confirmation number after you file. You'll need it for reference and it's easy to forget or lose.

If you run into issues with your claim later and need to reach ESD, I had good luck using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Got through to an actual person instead of being stuck in phone tree hell.

Don't forget about the job search requirements! You'll need to be actively looking for work and keeping track of your job search activities. That starts right away even while your claim is processing.

The sooner you file, the sooner you can start getting help. Don't overthink it - just get your claim in the system. You can always call later if you have questions about specific dates or details.

Good luck with your claim! The process seems overwhelming at first but it gets easier once you understand the system. Most people get approved without major issues if they were laid off through no fault of their own.