Where can I file unemployment in Washington state - need help finding the right place

Thank you! So I don't need to go to any physical office? That's actually a relief because I wasn't sure where I'd even find one.

Nope, all online now. Just make sure you have your Social Security card and employment history ready before you start.

18 months?? I've only been at my current job for 8 months. Do I need info from my previous job too?

Yes, you need all employers from the last 18 months. This helps determine your benefit amount based on your total wages earned during that period.

I had trouble with the SAW account creation - kept getting error messages. Anyone else have issues with that?

Same experience here! The phone system is terrible. I found this service called Claimyr that actually helped me get through to a real person at Washington ESD. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that but anything has to be better than sitting on hold for hours just to get hung up on.

Is that legit? I'm desperate enough to try anything if I run into problems with my application.

What kind of job search activities? I haven't started looking yet because I was focusing on getting the unemployment figured out first.

You need to be actively looking for work and document it. Apply for jobs, attend job fairs, network - whatever counts as legitimate job search activity. You'll report this when you file weekly claims.

Good tip! I'll gather everything first. Do I need actual pay stubs or just the employment dates and wages?

Employment dates and wages are sufficient for the initial application. You might need pay stubs later if there are any discrepancies that need verification.

How long does that take? I'm worried about how I'm going to pay rent if this drags on for weeks.

It varies but usually 2-4 weeks. Unfortunately there's not much you can do to speed it up except make sure all your information was accurate when you filed.

Mine took 6 weeks last year! The adjudication process can be really slow, especially if they have follow-up questions.

How does that work exactly? Do they call for you or something?

They basically get you through the phone system and connect you directly to an agent. Saved me hours of trying to call myself.

I'm skeptical of paying for something like that when it should be free to call the state.

Another website? This is getting complicated. Do I have to do that right away too?

You have some time but don't wait too long. It's part of the work search requirements and you don't want to risk any issues with your benefits.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I mentioned it earlier but seriously, it solved my phone problems with Washington ESD immediately.

I saw your comment about that. I'm getting desperate enough to try it. The stress of not knowing what's happening with my claim is killing me.

The phone system has always been bad but it got way worse after COVID. Too many people needing help and not enough staff.

Weekly claims? I thought you just filed once and then got paid automatically.

Nope, you have to certify every week that you're still unemployed and looking for work. It's called filing your weekly claim and you do it through the same website.

Yeah this confused me too when I first filed. The weekly claims are separate from your initial application.

I feel your frustration. Have you tried calling right when they open at 8am? Sometimes that's the only way to get through.

I've tried EVERYTHING. Early morning, lunch time, late afternoon. Nothing works. The system is broken.

This is exactly why services like Claimyr exist. When the state can't provide basic customer service, people find other solutions.

You file in the state where you worked, so you'd still file with Washington ESD even though you now live in Oregon.

Thanks! That makes sense but I wasn't sure.

Thank you everyone for all the help! I feel much more prepared to tackle this now. Going to gather all my documents and file this weekend.

Good luck! The hardest part is just getting started. Once you have your claim filed, it gets easier.

Don't hesitate to ask questions if you run into problems during the application process. This community is pretty helpful.

I was definitely laid off, not fired. The whole plant is shutting down so it's not about my performance or anything like that.

Perfect, that should make your claim pretty straightforward then. Plant closures are usually the easiest type of unemployment claim to get approved.

Good point about the timing. I always file mine Sunday evening and rarely have technical issues.

Thanks for the tip! I'll keep that in mind once I get my claim set up.