Where can I apply for unemployment benefits in Washington state?

Thanks! Do I need to have all my employment info ready before I start the application?

Yes definitely have your last employer's info, your Social Security number, and employment dates ready. Makes the process much smoother.

Thanks! Do I need to wait a certain amount of time after losing my job to apply?

No, you should apply as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. There's a one-week waiting period before benefits start, but filing early ensures you don't miss any potential payments.

Yeah the phone lines are always busy. I tried calling for weeks when I had issues with my claim.

Actually, if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

What kind of information do they ask for during the application?

They'll want your employment history for the last 18 months, reason for separation, wage info, and personal details. Pretty standard stuff but have your pay stubs handy.

Thanks! Do I need to wait until a certain day of the week to apply or can I do it anytime?

You can apply anytime, but the sooner the better. Your benefit year starts the week you file, so don't delay.

What if I worked for multiple employers? Do I need info for all of them?

Yes, you need employment history for the past 18 months. Include all employers, even part-time or temporary jobs. The system uses this to calculate your benefit amount.

This! I spent like 20 minutes clicking around before I found the actual application.

Good to know, I'll look for that blue button specifically.

18 months? That's a lot of info to gather. Do I need exact dates for everything?

Yes, be as accurate as possible with dates and wages. They'll verify everything with your employers so don't guess.

How does that work exactly? Do they charge you?

They have different options but basically they handle the calling and waiting for you. Check out their demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ to see how it works. Way better than spending your whole day redialing busy signals.

How often do you have to file these weekly claims?

Every week, usually Sunday through Saturday. You report if you worked any hours or earned any money that week.

And you have to do job search activities too. Keep track of where you apply because they might ask for proof.

Same here! I tried calling for three days straight and could never get through. The phone system just hangs up on you.

I actually found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

If everything goes smoothly, you could see your first payment in 2-3 weeks. But if your claim goes into adjudication for any reason, it can take much longer - sometimes 4-6 weeks or more.

What causes adjudication? I'm worried mine might get delayed.

Common reasons include issues with how you left your job, earnings discrepancies, or if you worked in multiple states. Sometimes it's just routine verification.

There's usually a determination process that can take 1-3 weeks. They'll send you a monetary determination letter showing your benefit amount, then an eligibility determination.

Mine took forever because it went into adjudication. Something about needing to verify why I left my job even though I was laid off.

Try clearing your browser cache and cookies. The site can be finicky with saved data. Also make sure you're using a supported browser.

ok ill try that thanks

No, you can apply for partial unemployment benefits if your hours were reduced. You'll need to report your weekly earnings when you file your weekly claims, and Washington ESD will calculate a partial benefit amount.

That's a relief! I wasn't sure if I qualified since I'm still technically employed.

Do I need to start the job search requirement immediately or is there a grace period?

You need to start job search activities during your first week of claiming benefits. The requirement applies to every week you claim except the first waiting week.

How long does approval usually take?

If there are no issues, usually 1-2 weeks. But if your claim goes into adjudication for any reason, it can take much longer.

What if I miss a week? Can I go back and file it later?

You can request to reopen a missed week but it's a pain. Better to just set a reminder and file every Sunday.

I missed my first two weeks because nobody told me about filing weekly claims. Had to call and get them reopened.

Is that service legit? Never heard of it before.

Yeah it's real. They basically call on your behalf and get you connected to an ESD agent. Worked great for me when my claim was stuck.

Was it worth the cost? I've been trying to call for days with no luck.

Absolutely. The time I saved was worth it, plus I was about to miss important deadlines. They handle all the waiting and just call you back when they get an agent on the line.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs?

Applying for jobs, networking events, career fairs, informational interviews, updating your resume with a counselor - there's a whole list on their website.

6 months?? That's terrifying. What kind of issues have you been having?

Long story but my claim got stuck in adjudication and then I had an overpayment issue. Every time I try to call it's a 2+ hour wait or they hang up.

Is that separate from the unemployment application?

It's part of the same process. When you apply for benefits, they'll walk you through creating the SAW account if you don't already have one.

Yes, you must file weekly claims every week you want to receive benefits, even while your initial claim is being reviewed. If you don't file weekly claims, you won't get paid for those weeks even if your claim is later approved.

Good to know! I almost skipped this week thinking I should wait for approval first.

What happens if there's a disagreement between what I say and what my employer says?

That's when your claim might go into adjudication and they'll investigate. Can delay things significantly.

Which is exactly when you'd want to be able to talk to someone at ESD to explain your side of things.

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

Generally 3 job search activities per week, but check the specific requirements on the Washington ESD website.

Yeah their website actually has pretty good info, just sometimes hard to find what you're looking for.

I'll definitely check out the FAQ section first. Thanks for all the help everyone!

That's reassuring. I'm pretty organized so hopefully it goes smoothly.

Yeah mine was approved in about 10 days and I've had no issues with weekly claims. Just follow the rules and you'll be fine.

Appreciate all the advice. Feeling much more confident about applying now.

We've all been there. Hope you get back on your feet soon!

Good idea! Should I print out confirmation pages too?

Yes, definitely. Save or print any confirmation numbers or emails they send you.

That's exactly why I started using Claimyr. The regular phone system is basically unusable during peak times. Much less frustrating to let them handle the calling.

I might have to try that. This is driving me crazy and I can't wait forever.

How much does something like that cost though?

I don't remember the exact amount but it was worth it to actually talk to someone instead of calling for weeks with no luck.

That's reassuring. I was worried it would be super complicated.

Nah, it's mostly just clicking through screens and answering yes/no questions about your week.

Great advice, I'll make sure to document everything as I go through the process.

Smart thinking. I wish I had done that from the beginning when I had to deal with an overpayment issue later.

How much faster is direct deposit usually?

Direct deposit usually shows up 1-2 business days after your claim is processed. Paper checks can take 5-7 business days to arrive by mail.

You can still apply even if you were fired. Washington ESD will investigate the circumstances and determine if you're eligible. Being fired for performance issues doesn't automatically disqualify you, but being fired for misconduct might.

That's somewhat reassuring. I guess I'll apply and see what happens.

Good advice! I learned this the hard way when my application seemed to disappear and I had to start over.

exactly! also print out the confirmation page if you get one

Volunteer work doesn't count as a job contact, but it can count as a work search activity if it's related to gaining skills for employment. You still need actual job applications, interviews, or networking contacts for your 3 weekly requirements.

Thanks for clarifying! I was hoping my volunteer work would help meet the requirement.

Washington ESD gets wage information from employers through quarterly reports, but it's helpful to provide what you have. If you're missing recent pay stubs, you can usually get copies from your employer's HR department or payroll system.

I'll try to get copies from HR. Hope they're cooperative since they just laid me off.

Two weeks is within normal processing time, especially if your claim is straightforward. You should receive a determination letter in the mail or through your online account once a decision is made. Keep filing your weekly claims in the meantime.

Ok that makes me feel better. I was starting to panic that something went wrong.

So even if I'm approved, I won't get paid for my first week of unemployment?

Correct. The first week is unpaid waiting period. Your benefits start with the second week if you're approved and continue filing weekly claims.

You can apply, but quitting usually makes you ineligible unless you had 'good cause' like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or significant changes to your job. Washington ESD will investigate your specific situation to determine eligibility.

I documented everything about the safety issues, so hopefully that helps my case.

Good luck! Don't hesitate to ask more questions if you run into issues during the application process.

Will do! This community is super helpful.

I'll check those out. Are they actually helpful or just basic info?

Pretty helpful actually. They walk through the whole application process step by step.

I worked full time for 2 years before getting laid off, so I should be good right?

Yeah, you'll definitely meet the earnings requirements. The base period looks at your first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already tight on money.

It's way cheaper than missing weeks of benefits because you can't get through to fix an issue. Worth checking out their site if you run into problems.

I was just laid off from a regular job so I think I need regular UI, right?

Yeah, regular unemployment insurance is what you want. The other programs are for specific situations.

How long do you have to appeal if something goes wrong?

30 days from the date on the determination letter. Make sure you read all the mail they send you carefully.

Hopefully I won't need it for too long. Job market seems pretty good right now.

That's the right attitude! Use the time to really find something good, not just the first thing that comes along.

Thanks everyone! This has been super helpful. Going to get my stuff together and apply tomorrow.

You're welcome! Feel free to come back here if you run into any issues with the process.

They gave me 2 weeks severance. Does that mean I have to wait to apply?

You should still apply right away but report the severance pay. They'll tell you how it affects your benefits.

Got it, I'll apply first thing tomorrow morning. Thanks again everyone!

You got this! It's not as scary as it seems once you get through the first application.

Smart idea. I'll set up a dedicated folder on my computer too for digital stuff.

Yeah and scan physical documents in case something gets lost in the mail. Washington ESD loves their paperwork!