When to file unemployment weekly claim - Washington ESD timing confusion

You file your weekly claim starting the Sunday after your waiting week. So if your claim started on a Monday, you'd file your first weekly claim the Sunday after your waiting week ends. Then every Sunday after that. Make sure to file between Sunday and the following Saturday - don't wait until the last minute!

I always file mine on Sunday mornings. Been doing UI claims for years and Sunday is the best day - the system is usually working fine then.

You have to file every week to keep getting benefits, even if you worked some hours. The key thing is filing consistently - missing a week can mess up your whole claim. I learned this the hard way when I missed filing one week and had to call Washington ESD to fix it.

The timing is really important. You file for the week that just ended, not the current week. So when you file on Sunday, you're filing for the previous Sunday through Saturday. Don't get confused about which week you're reporting!

omg yes the timing is so confusing!! I kept missing my weekly claims because I didn't understand when to file. Finally figured it out but man the Washington ESD system could be clearer about this

Pro tip: Set a recurring reminder on your phone for every Sunday. I use Sunday at 8am so I don't forget. Also make sure you're reporting your job search activities correctly - Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week.

I've been filing on Tuesdays and it works fine. As long as you file before the weekend deadline you should be okay.

Make sure you understand what week you're filing for! I messed this up early on and reported the wrong dates. Had to call Washington ESD to get it corrected.

The most important thing is consistency. File every single week, even if you think you might not qualify that week. Better to file and get denied than to miss filing and mess up your claim.

Also don't forget about the 4-week rule. If you don't file for 4 consecutive weeks, your claim gets closed and you have to reopen it.

One more thing - if you work any hours during the week, you still need to file and report those hours. Washington ESD will calculate your partial benefits. Don't assume you can't get anything if you worked a little.

The key dates to remember: file every Sunday for the previous week (Sunday-Saturday), keep up with your job search requirements, and never miss more than 3 weeks in a row. That covers most of the important timing rules.

Just wanted to add - if you're ever unsure about timing or have questions about your specific situation, it's worth calling Washington ESD. I know it's hard to get through but they can give you definitive answers.

Been on unemployment twice in the past few years and the timing is always the same - Sunday filings for the previous week. Set that reminder and stick to it religiously!

Don't overthink it too much. The system will tell you when you can file your next weekly claim. Just log in regularly and look for the option to file.

Final reminder - your weekly claim certification is basically you confirming you're still unemployed and looking for work. Be accurate with your answers because they do check these things during audits.

I had the same confusion when I first started! One thing that helped me was creating a simple calendar reminder that says "File UI weekly claim for [previous week dates]" every Sunday. Also, if you ever miss a week by accident, don't panic - just file as soon as you remember and call Washington ESD to explain. They're usually understanding about honest mistakes as long as you don't make it a habit.