When to collect unemployment benefits in Washington - timing questions

You should file your initial claim as soon as possible after your last day of work. Washington ESD has a one-week waiting period before benefits start, but you still need to file weekly claims during that time. Don't wait - there's no penalty for filing early, but there can be issues if you wait too long.

Thanks! So I file the initial claim right after my last day, then start doing weekly claims immediately even though I won't get paid for the first week?

Exactly. You need to establish the habit of filing weekly claims from day one. The waiting week is unpaid but still counts toward your benefit year.

File ASAP but be prepared for a long wait to actually talk to someone if you have questions. I spent weeks trying to get through to Washington ESD when my claim had issues.

Have you tried using Claimyr? It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. I found it at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Saved me hours of calling.

Never heard of that, is it legit? I'm skeptical of services that charge for something that should be free.

It's legitimate - they just help you navigate the phone system to reach an actual person. When you're desperate to get answers about your claim status, it's worth it.

The timing depends on your situation. If you were laid off, file immediately. If you quit or were fired, you might want to wait and see if you can find another job first since you might not qualify anyway.

I was laid off due to budget cuts, so sounds like I should definitely file right away.

Even if you quit or were fired, you should still file if you think you might qualify. Let Washington ESD make the determination - don't assume you won't qualify.

I made the mistake of waiting two weeks to file because I thought I might find a job quickly. Big mistake! You can't backdate your claim in Washington, so I lost two weeks of potential benefits. File immediately even if you're job hunting.

Oh wow, that's exactly what I was worried about. Definitely filing on Monday then.

Wait, I thought you could backdate claims? I'm confused now.

Washington ESD generally doesn't allow backdating unless there are very specific circumstances. It's always better to file early.

Make sure you have all your employment history ready when you file. Washington ESD needs info about your employers from the last 18 months, not just your most recent job.

Good point, I need to dig up some old pay stubs. Do they need exact dates or just approximate?

As exact as possible. They'll verify everything with your employers anyway, so be accurate.

Also remember you have to be actively looking for work and keep a job search log. The requirements are pretty strict about documenting your job search activities.

How many jobs do I need to apply to each week?

It's three job search activities per week in Washington. Can be applications, networking, interviews, etc. Keep good records.

I hate the job search requirements. Feels like busy work when you're already stressed about being unemployed.

File online through the Washington ESD website. It's much faster than trying to do it over the phone, and you can do it anytime.

Is the online system pretty user-friendly? I'm not great with complicated websites.

It's okay, not the most intuitive but manageable. Just take your time and read everything carefully.

Don't forget about the WorkSource registration requirement. You have to register with WorkSource within a certain timeframe or your benefits can be delayed.

When do I need to do that? Is it part of the initial filing or separate?

You need to register with WorkSource within 7 days of filing your initial claim. It's separate but required.

If your claim goes into adjudication for any reason, that's when you'll really need to talk to Washington ESD. That's where services like Claimyr become invaluable because the regular phone lines are impossible.

What triggers adjudication? Just want to avoid it if possible.

Lots of things - conflicting information, questions about why you left your job, earnings issues. Sometimes it's unavoidable.

I filed on a Sunday night and had my claim processed by Tuesday. The earlier in the week you file, the faster it seems to get reviewed.

That's encouraging! I was worried it would take weeks.

Depends on if there are any red flags on your claim. Mine took 3 weeks because of some employment verification issues.

Remember that your first payment won't come until after you've completed your first weekly claim AND served the waiting week. So even if you file right away, expect about 2-3 weeks before you see money.

Good to know for budgeting purposes. At least I have some savings to get through the first few weeks.

Definitely plan for that gap. I wish someone had warned me about the timing when I first filed.

Make sure you file during business hours if possible. I filed late at night and ran into technical issues that took forever to resolve.

The website works better during business hours?

Seemed like it to me, but that might have just been coincidence. Either way, if you run into problems during business hours you have a better chance of getting help.

One more tip - take screenshots of everything when you file online. If there are any disputes later, having documentation of what you submitted can be really helpful.

Smart idea, I'll definitely do that. Thanks for all the advice everyone!

This thread has been super helpful. I'm in a similar situation and was totally confused about the timing.

The Washington ESD system is honestly pretty straightforward once you get started. The hardest part is just getting over the initial anxiety about filing. You've got this!

Thank you for the encouragement! Feeling much more confident about the process now.

Agreed, this community is great for getting real advice about dealing with unemployment. Way better than trying to decipher the official websites.