Where do I file for unemployment in Washington - confused about the process

You need to go to the official Washington ESD website at esd.wa.gov to file your initial claim. Don't use any third-party sites - only the official state site. You'll create an account and fill out the application online. Make sure you have your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and bank info if you want direct deposit.

I filed mine last month and it was pretty straightforward on the ESD website. Just make sure you have all your previous employer information ready - dates of employment, addresses, reason for separation, etc. The system will ask for a lot of details.

Just went through this whole process myself. The Washington ESD site can be slow and sometimes crashes, especially on Mondays when everyone's filing their weekly claims. If you can't get through by phone to ask questions, I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to an ESD agent when I needed help. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

ugh the ESD website is such a pain. took me like 3 tries to get my application submitted because it kept timing out. make sure you save your progress frequently

Make sure you understand the difference between filing your initial claim and filing weekly claims. Your initial claim is what starts the process, but then you have to file a weekly claim every week to actually receive payments. A lot of people miss this step and wonder why they're not getting paid.

Before you file, make sure you actually qualify for UI benefits. You need to have worked in Washington state and earned enough wages in your base period. The ESD website has a tool to check if you qualify before you waste time filling out the whole application.

One thing to watch out for - if you were laid off vs fired for cause, make sure that's clear in your application. If your employer contests your claim saying you were fired for misconduct, it can delay everything while they investigate.

Also be prepared for the job search requirements. You'll need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities. You can do this through WorkSourceWA.com or keep your own records, but you have to be actively looking for work to keep receiving benefits.

I had such a nightmare trying to get through to ESD when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Called probably 200 times over 2 weeks. Finally used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and got through the same day. Wish I'd known about it sooner.

pro tip - file your claim early in the morning or late at night when fewer people are on the system. i tried during lunch and it was crawling

Just to add to what others have said - keep track of everything. Save confirmation numbers, print out your application, keep records of all your job search activities. If anything goes wrong, having documentation makes it so much easier to resolve issues.

Don't forget that your first payment will be delayed due to the waiting week. So even if everything goes smoothly, you won't see money for at least 2-3 weeks after filing. Plan accordingly for your bills.

If you have any issues with your employer not responding to ESD's requests for information, that can delay your claim too. My previous employer ignored the separation notice for weeks and it held up my benefits.

Make sure you file in the right state too. If you worked in Washington but live in Oregon or Idaho, you still file with Washington ESD since that's where you worked and paid into the system.

One more thing - if you have any military service, make sure to mention that in your application. There might be additional benefits or considerations for veterans.

Last piece of advice - read all the instructions carefully and answer every question honestly. Being dishonest on your application can result in penalties and having to pay back benefits, even if it's discovered months later.

yeah this thread is super helpful. wish i had found something like this when i was filing. would have saved me a lot of stress and confusion

Hope your claim goes through without any hitches. If you do run into issues and need to talk to someone at ESD, definitely consider that Claimyr thing. Saved me weeks of frustration.

Good luck OP! The process seems overwhelming at first but it's really not too bad once you get started. Just take it step by step and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

One final reminder - make sure to file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still being processed. You can't go back and claim weeks you missed, so don't skip any.