Where can I get unemployment benefits in Washington state?
I just lost my job last week and I'm really confused about where to actually apply for unemployment benefits. I know there's the Washington ESD but I'm not sure if that's the right place or if there are other options. Can someone point me in the right direction? I've never had to deal with this before and I'm pretty overwhelmed by all the different websites and information out there.
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Justin Evans
Washington ESD (Employment Security Department) is the only place to file for unemployment benefits in Washington state. You need to go to their website at esd.wa.gov and create an account through SecureAccess Washington (SAW). Don't use any third-party sites - only the official Washington ESD portal.
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Joshua Wood
•Thank you! I was getting confused because I saw so many different websites when I googled it. I'll go directly to esd.wa.gov.
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Emily Parker
•yes this is correct, there's only one official place to file in WA and that's through Washington ESD
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Ezra Collins
Make sure you have all your documents ready before you start the application. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, employment history for the past 18 months including employer names and addresses, and your most recent pay stub. The Washington ESD application can take 30-45 minutes to complete so don't rush through it.
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Joshua Wood
•I don't have all my old employer addresses memorized. Do I need to be exact or can I just put the city?
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Ezra Collins
•Try to be as accurate as possible. Washington ESD will contact your previous employers to verify your wages, so incorrect addresses could delay your claim processing.
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Victoria Scott
I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about my claim status and it's impossible. Their phone lines are constantly busy and when I do get through I get disconnected. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?
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Benjamin Johnson
•I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com. They help you get through to Washington ESD agents without waiting on hold for hours. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. It was a lifesaver for me when my claim got stuck in adjudication.
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Zara Perez
IMPORTANT: After you file your initial claim with Washington ESD, you MUST file weekly claims every week to get paid. Even if your claim is still pending or in adjudication, keep filing those weekly claims. I made the mistake of not filing for 2 weeks thinking I'd wait until my claim was approved and it caused a huge mess.
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Joshua Wood
•When do I start filing the weekly claims? Right after I submit my initial application?
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Zara Perez
•Washington ESD will tell you when to file your first weekly claim, usually it's for the week after you filed your initial claim. You'll get instructions in your online account.
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Daniel Rogers
•This is so confusing... why do they make it so complicated
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Aaliyah Reed
Also be prepared for the job search requirements. In Washington you need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a detailed log. Washington ESD can audit your job search activities at any time so keep good records.
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Joshua Wood
•What counts as a job search contact? Just applying online or do I need to do more?
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Aaliyah Reed
•Online applications count, but you can also include networking contacts, job fairs, interviews, contacting employers directly. Just make sure you document everything with dates and details.
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Ella Russell
ugh the washington esd website is so slow and glitchy, took me like 6 tries to get through the application without it timing out
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Mohammed Khan
•Try using a different browser or clearing your cache. I had the same problem with Chrome but it worked fine in Firefox.
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Joshua Wood
•Should I avoid certain times of day when applying?
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Mohammed Khan
•Early morning or late evening seem to work better. Avoid Monday mornings and right after 5pm when everyone's trying to file their weekly claims.
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Gavin King
Don't forget you'll need to register with WorkSourceWA too. It's a separate requirement but Washington ESD will tell you about it after you file your claim. You have to create a profile there and upload your resume.
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Joshua Wood
•Is WorkSourceWA part of Washington ESD or is it different?
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Gavin King
•It's connected to Washington ESD but it's a separate website. Think of it as the job search portal that goes along with your unemployment benefits.
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Nathan Kim
Just want to add - if you were laid off, make sure your employer gives you accurate information about your last day of work and reason for separation. Any discrepancies between what you report and what your employer reports can trigger an adjudication investigation that delays your benefits for weeks.
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Eleanor Foster
•What happens if my employer lies about why I was terminated?
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Nathan Kim
•You can appeal their decision and provide evidence to support your side. Keep any emails, texts, or documents related to your termination.
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Lucas Turner
•This happened to me and I had to wait 6 weeks for adjudication to resolve it. Keep everything documented!
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Kai Rivera
One thing that helped me was calling Washington ESD first thing Monday morning at exactly 8am. I got through after only 20 minutes on hold instead of the usual 2+ hours. But honestly, after discovering Claimyr I don't bother with the regular phone lines anymore.
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Anna Stewart
•What's Claimyr? Never heard of it.
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Kai Rivera
•It's a service that helps you reach Washington ESD agents without the endless hold times. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video that explains it better than I can.
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Layla Sanders
The whole system is a joke. I've been trying to get my benefits for 8 weeks now and Washington ESD keeps giving me the runaround. They say call this number, then that number sends you somewhere else. It's like they WANT you to give up.
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Morgan Washington
•I feel your pain. The system is definitely not user-friendly. Have you tried reaching out through the Claimyr service? Sometimes getting an actual person on the phone is the only way to cut through the bureaucracy.
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Layla Sanders
•Never heard of that but I'm willing to try anything at this point. This is ridiculous.
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Kaylee Cook
•Hang in there. Once your claim gets approved the back payments usually come pretty quickly.
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Oliver Alexander
Quick tip - take screenshots of everything when you're filing your claim. If there are any issues later, having documentation of what you submitted can save you a lot of headaches with Washington ESD.
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Joshua Wood
•Good idea! I'll make sure to screenshot each page as I go through the application.
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Lara Woods
•Also save confirmation numbers and any emails Washington ESD sends you. I've had their system lose information before.
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Adrian Hughes
Been on unemployment twice in Washington and both times the initial claim took about 10-14 days to process. Don't panic if you don't hear back immediately. But definitely keep filing those weekly claims even while you're waiting!
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Joshua Wood
•That's reassuring to know there's a typical timeline. I was worried I'd be waiting months.
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Molly Chambers
•Unless your claim goes into adjudication, then all bets are off. Mine took 7 weeks because of an employer dispute.
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Ian Armstrong
•Adjudication is the worst. That's when you really need to get Washington ESD on the phone to check the status.
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Eli Butler
Make sure you understand the difference between being able and available vs being on standby. If you're on temporary layoff expecting to be called back, that's standby status. If you're permanently separated and actively looking for work, that's regular UI. Washington ESD treats these differently.
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Joshua Wood
•I was permanently laid off so I think I need regular UI. How do I make sure I select the right option?
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Eli Butler
•The application should walk you through it, but if you're unsure, it's better to call Washington ESD and ask rather than guess wrong.
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Marcus Patterson
Don't forget about taxes! Your unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay them when you file your tax return. I learned this the hard way last year.
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Lydia Bailey
•How much should I have withheld? I don't want a huge tax bill next year.
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Marcus Patterson
•Washington ESD will withhold 10% for federal taxes if you request it. Might want to consult a tax professional depending on your situation.
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Mateo Warren
Last piece of advice - be 100% honest on your application. Washington ESD will verify everything with your employers and if they find any discrepancies it can result in benefit fraud charges. Not worth the risk to lie about anything.
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Joshua Wood
•Thanks everyone for all the help! I feel much more prepared to file my claim now. Going to gather all my documents and apply through esd.wa.gov this week.
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Sofia Price
•Good luck! It's less scary once you actually start the process. Just take your time and read everything carefully.
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