When should I apply for unemployment benefits with Washington ESD?

You should apply as soon as possible after your last day of work, but not before. Washington ESD won't process claims for future unemployment. The sooner you file after becoming unemployed, the sooner your claim can be processed.

There used to be a waiting week but Washington eliminated that during COVID and never brought it back. So you should get paid for your first week of unemployment as long as you're eligible.

I made the mistake of waiting two weeks to apply thinking I needed to job search first. Big mistake - you can't get retroactive benefits for the time before you file. Apply immediately!

Make sure you have all your documents ready before you apply. You'll need your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment info for the last 18 months. Having everything ready speeds up the process.

The adjudication process can take forever though. I filed three weeks ago and still haven't heard anything back from Washington ESD. Can't even get through on the phone to check my status.

ugh the whole system is so confusing. why can't they just make it simple??

Also remember that you need to register with WorkSource within a reasonable time after filing. They'll send you information about the job search requirements after your claim is approved.

I applied on a Sunday night and had my claim processed by Wednesday. The online system worked fine for me, no issues.

One thing to note - if you're getting severance pay, that might affect when you can start receiving benefits. Washington ESD considers severance as wages for the period it covers.

My cousin waited a month to apply because she thought she'd find a job quickly. When she couldn't find anything she filed but lost all that money from the weeks she waited. Don't make that mistake!

The Washington ESD website has step-by-step instructions for filing. Take your time filling it out and double-check everything before submitting. Mistakes can delay your claim.

if your in a union make sure to tell them too they might have additional benefits or help

Just to summarize for the OP: File immediately after your last day of work, have your documents ready, don't wait thinking you'll find a job quickly, and be prepared for possible adjudication delays. The process itself is straightforward if you follow the instructions.

Also keep track of all your job search activities from day one even if Washington ESD hasn't told you the requirements yet. You'll need to log job contacts for your weekly claims.

The system was down for maintenance when I tried to file on a Sunday morning. Don't panic if that happens, just try again later or the next day.

Pro tip: if you get stuck during the adjudication process and can't reach anyone by phone, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier really does work. I used it last month when my claim was stuck for weeks.

Don't forget you can file online, by phone, or in person if there's a WorkSource office near you. Online is usually fastest though.

washington esd has really improved their system over the past few years the online portal is actually pretty user friendly now

Last thing - if you have any questions during the application process, there are help links throughout the online form. Don't guess at answers, use the help resources.