Where do I file my weekly unemployment claim with Washington ESD?

Thanks! I found it right after logging in. Can't believe I missed it before.

the interface is kind of confusing at first, took me a few tries to figure it out too

Good to know! I picked up a few hours of work last week so I'll make sure to report that.

Yeah don't skip weeks or you could lose your benefits entirely. I learned that the hard way.

Never heard of that service before but might be worth checking out if the phone lines are still as bad as they were last year

I'll keep that in mind if I run into issues. The phone system has been pretty bad from what I've heard.

Where do I find my filing period dates? I don't see them anywhere obvious.

Should be in your account dashboard or in the weekly claim section. It'll show you when your current week started and when you need to file by.

Because they need to verify you're still unemployed and actively looking for work. It's a requirement for receiving benefits.

I know WHY they do it but it's still a pain in the butt

What kind of job search activities do I need to report? Just applications or other stuff too?

Applications, networking events, job fairs, interviews - basically any activity where you're actively looking for work. Keep records of everything.

How long did it take to get your claim back open?

About 2 weeks but I lost that week's benefits completely. They said I could have filed late but I didn't know that was an option.

That's a great idea! I'm definitely going to set up a recurring reminder.

Same here, I have mine set for Saturday evenings so I don't have to think about it on Sunday

Tuesday through Thursday mornings seem to be the best times in my experience. Weekend and Monday mornings are definitely the worst.

yeah avoid sunday nights at all costs, that's when everyone is trying to file

Should I be keeping physical records or is there a way to track this online?

I keep a simple spreadsheet with dates, company names, and what I did (applied, called, emailed, etc.). Washington ESD might ask for this info during an audit.

That's the old way. Everything is online now through eServices. Much faster and you get confirmation right away.

Oh wow, I need to tell her about this. She's been driving to the post office every week!

Good to know there's a backup option if the website is down.

The phone system can be just as frustrating though. That's why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - they can help you get through to an agent when you need actual help.

That's reassuring to hear. I was worried it would be complicated every time.

Nah, it's usually just yes/no questions about whether you worked, looked for work, were able to work, etc. Takes like 5 minutes max.

Where do I update my contact info? Is it in the same eServices portal?

Yes, there should be a section for managing your profile or account information where you can update address, phone, email, etc.

Really? So I won't get paid for this first week even if I file the claim?

Right, the first week is a waiting week. You'll get paid starting from the second week if you're eligible.

That's good to know. I'll keep an eye on my account after I file.

Sometimes there are delays though, especially if there's a holiday or system maintenance

That makes sense. I'd rather take the time to get it right than have issues down the road.

Exactly why services like Claimyr can be helpful. Getting through to an agent to ask questions can be nearly impossible otherwise.

How much can I earn before it affects my benefits?

There's a formula they use but generally you can earn up to a certain amount before they start reducing your weekly benefit amount. Check your account for the specific numbers.

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I feel much more confident about filing my weekly claims now.

You'll do fine. The first one is always the most confusing but after that it becomes second nature.

Great tip! I'll make sure to save the confirmation.

Yes, definitely do this. I had to prove I filed a claim once when their system had issues and the screenshot saved me.