When should I apply for Washington ESD unemployment after being laid off - timing question

Thanks! So I can file today even though I just got laid off yesterday?

Yes, absolutely. Don't wait - file today if you can. You want to get that clock ticking on your claim.

Oh wow, I'm glad I asked then. I was going to wait until Monday.

Yeah the system is set up to punish you for waiting. File immediately is the rule.

Do I need my pay stubs or W2 when I file the initial claim?

Not for the initial filing, but have them ready. Washington ESD might request wage verification later during the adjudication process if there are any questions about your work history.

This is good info. I had to dig through old paperwork when they asked for verification and it took forever to find everything.

Interesting, I've never heard of that. Is it legit or some kind of scam?

It's legit - they just help you get through the phone queue. Check out their site at claimyr.com. I was skeptical too but it actually worked when I needed to talk to someone about my claim status.

Wish I knew about this when I was trying to reach them about my adjudication delay. Called for weeks with no luck.

That's kind of scary. Is it really that difficult to get approved?

Don't let them scare you. Most straightforward layoff cases get approved without issues. Just be accurate with your information and file promptly.

Easy for you to say. My claim went into adjudication for 6 weeks over nothing.

If they contest it, Washington ESD will investigate and make a determination. As long as you were truly laid off and not terminated for misconduct, you should be fine. Keep any documentation you have about the layoff.

I have the layoff notice email, so that should help if they try anything.

Good point about keeping documentation. I should save the email they sent me too.

What kind of job search activities do I need to do?

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log. This includes applying for jobs, networking, attending job fairs, etc. Washington ESD can audit your job search log at any time.

yeah and they're pretty strict about it now. keep good records of everything you do

That's reassuring. So as long as I file before Sunday I should be good?

Exactly. Your claim week runs Sunday through Saturday, so filing by Saturday gives you the earliest possible effective date.

You're right, I'm probably overthinking this. I'll file today.

Good plan. Once you file you'll get instructions on filing your weekly claims and everything else you need to know.

The system can be slow during peak times. Try filing early in the morning or later in the evening when fewer people are online.

That makes sense. I'll suggest she try again at 6 AM or something.

Good to know about the timing. I'll try to file early tomorrow morning just in case.

Is that something I do at the same time as filing my claim?

You can do it at the same time but it's a separate system. The unemployment filing will remind you about the WorkSource registration requirement.

The WorkSource registration is usually pretty quick. Just make sure you do it within the timeframe they give you or it could delay your benefits.

That's encouraging! How long did it take from filing to getting your first payment?

About 3 weeks total. One week waiting period, then it took about 2 weeks to process and get the first payment. But I had a straightforward case with no complications.

That's faster than I expected. My friend waited months but I think there were issues with his claim.

You still file your weekly claim during the waiting week. You just don't get paid for that week. It's important to file every week to keep your claim active.

Thanks for clarifying. I was confused about that part.

Good question - I was wondering about that too.

Is there a cost for using Claimyr?

Yeah there's a fee but it was worth it for me to avoid the phone hassle. Check their website for current pricing.

I might try that if I run into problems. The phone system is so frustrating.

Do I need info for jobs from 18 months ago even if I've been at my current job for 2 years?

If you've been at the same job for 2 years continuously, you should only need information for that employer. The 18-month thing is for people who've had multiple jobs.

Correct. They use your base period wages to calculate benefits, which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file.

It's normal to feel that way, but don't stress too much. As long as you're honest and accurate, you should be fine. If they need clarification on anything, they'll contact you.

Thanks, I needed to hear that. I'm probably overthinking it.

I'm feeling the same way. There's so much information to keep track of.

Smart idea. I'll make sure to do that when I file.

Yeah, better safe than sorry. Also keep records of all your weekly claims too.

That sounds really helpful. I hope I don't need it but good to know it's an option.

Hopefully your claim will be straightforward and you won't need to call at all. But if you do need to reach them, it's a good tool to have.

Wish I had known about this during my adjudication nightmare. Would have saved me weeks of stress.

Great job! You should receive your determination letter within a week or two. Keep filing your weekly claims even while you're waiting.

Awesome, glad you got it done. I'm going to file mine right after I finish gathering my employer information.

Good luck! Don't overthink it - just be accurate and honest with your answers.

Same here! This community is really helpful for navigating all this unemployment stuff.

Definitely. So much better than trying to figure it out from the official website alone.