Where do I go to file unemployment with Washington ESD - confused about the process

Thank you! So I don't need to go anywhere in person? That's a relief. Do I need to file right away or can I wait a few days?

File as soon as possible! Your benefit year starts the week you file, not the week you lost your job. Every day you wait is potentially money lost.

Good point about the scam sites. I almost fell for one of those when I filed last year. They wanted me to pay them $50 to 'expedite' my claim.

Exactly! Washington ESD never charges you to file a claim. If a site is asking for money upfront, it's definitely a scam.

Wait, what's Claimyr? Is that another website or something different?

It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD phone agents. You still file your claim on the official ESD site, but if you need to talk to someone about your claim status or have questions, Claimyr can get you connected without the usual phone tree hell.

I was skeptical about services like this but honestly after spending 6 hours on hold one day, I'd try anything.

Good tip about screenshots! I never would have thought of that.

This is solid advice. I always tell people to keep records of everything - confirmation numbers, dates you filed, amounts paid, etc.

Oh wow, I had no idea about the job search requirements. How do I prove I'm looking for work?

You keep a job search log that you update weekly. Washington ESD can audit you at any time and ask to see it, so make sure you're actually applying for jobs and keeping detailed records.

The job search thing is such a pain. I spent more time documenting my job searches than actually looking for work.

So after I file the initial claim, I have to do something every week? How long does that take?

Yeah, the weekly claims are quick - maybe 5-10 minutes. You just answer questions about whether you worked, looked for work, were available for work, etc. If you miss a week, you don't get paid for that week.

So true about the website issues. I try to file my weekly claim on Saturday night to avoid the Sunday rush.

The site works fine for me most of the time. Maybe try a different browser?

I've tried every browser, cleared cache, everything. It's not just me - the site regularly crashes during peak times.

You can register with WorkSource after filing your claim, but you'll need to do it within your first few weeks to stay eligible. It's part of the job search requirements.

I'd recommend registering with WorkSource as soon as possible. It gives you access to job search resources and helps you meet the work search requirements.

This Claimyr thing keeps coming up. Is it expensive to use?

I don't want to discuss pricing, but for me it was worth it to avoid the stress of calling ESD directly. When you need answers about your claim, time is money.

What's adjudication? That sounds scary.

It's when Washington ESD needs to investigate something about your claim - like if your employer says you were fired for misconduct instead of laid off. During adjudication, your payments are on hold until they make a decision.

This happened to me too. Took 6 weeks to resolve and I nearly lost my apartment waiting for back pay.

Thanks for the encouragement. I was getting overwhelmed reading about all the requirements and potential problems.

Yeah, the internet makes it sound scarier than it is. Most claims go through without any major issues. Just be honest and thorough in your application.

Good point. How long does it usually take to get the first payment?

If everything goes smoothly, you should see your first payment about a week after filing your first weekly claim. But there's usually a one-week waiting period for the first payment anyway.

What happens if you get an overpayment notice?

You have to pay back the money you weren't supposed to receive, plus potential penalties. It's not worth the risk - just report everything honestly.

I got hit with a $2,800 overpayment last year because I didn't report some freelance work properly. Still paying it back.

Should I print everything out or are digital copies okay?

Digital copies are fine, but make sure you save them somewhere safe like cloud storage. The ESD website doesn't keep records forever.