Where do you go to sign up for unemployment in Washington state?

Thank you! Do I need any specific documents ready before I start the application?

Yes, have your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months ready. You'll also need bank account info for direct deposit.

Good to know! About how long does the whole application take?

Took me about 45 minutes to get through everything, but I had all my paperwork organized beforehand.

Never heard of that service. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit - I used it when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Saved me hours of trying to get through myself.

I'll keep that in mind if I have trouble reaching them. Hopefully the online application goes smoothly first.

My last day was Friday, so I should apply this week then?

Absolutely! File this week. The system processes applications faster on weekdays typically.

Try using Chrome or Firefox instead of Safari if you're on Mac. The site works better with those browsers.

I was using Chrome. Maybe it was just server issues yesterday.

I had a couple of short-term gigs last year. Do I need exact dates for everything?

As exact as possible. If you don't remember the exact day, at least get the month and year right.

Check your old pay stubs if you still have them - that's the easiest way to get accurate dates.

Wait, what are weekly claims? I thought you just applied once?

The initial application starts your claim, but you have to certify every week that you're still unemployed and looking for work. It's called filing your weekly claim.

This is super important - mark your calendar to file every Sunday. You can file online or by phone.

If you were paid as a W2 employee (not 1099), you should qualify. Most restaurant workers are W2 employees even if some employers try to misclassify them.

I was definitely W2 - got regular paychecks with taxes taken out.

Then you should be good to go. Good luck with the application!

What's SecureAccess Washington? Is that different from the regular Washington ESD website?

It's the state's unified login system. You use the same SAW account for unemployment, licensing, and other state services.

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr when I needed help. Sometimes it's worth it to have someone who knows the system handle the phone calls.

I might look into that if I keep having issues. The automated phone system is even worse than the website.

How long before you heard back about approval?

Still waiting - it's been 5 days. From what I've read, it can take 1-3 weeks depending on if they need to verify anything with your employer.

How many jobs do you have to apply to each week?

It depends on your situation, but generally you need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week. Keep detailed records of where you applied.

And register with WorkSourceWA - that's required too. You can do it online at worksourcewa.com

Good point. I was definitely laid off due to slow business, not fired for cause.

Perfect, then you should have no issues. Just be consistent with that story throughout the application.

That's exactly the problem Claimyr solves. They handle all that calling and waiting for you. Totally worth it when you actually need to talk to someone.

I wish I had known about that service when I was trying to get through. Would have saved me so much frustration.

I worked there for 8 months, but had another job before that. Do they look at both jobs?

Yes, they'll look at all your qualifying wages from all employers during that base period. More earnings generally means higher weekly benefits.

Can I change to direct deposit later if I forget to set it up initially?

Yes, but it's easier to just do it during the application. You'll need your routing and account numbers.

I can work any shift at this point. Beggars can't be choosers, right?

Exactly the right attitude! Washington ESD wants to see that you're actively looking and willing to take suitable work.

How do you know if it gets flagged for adjudication?

Your claim status will show 'adjudication in progress' instead of 'approved' when you log in to check. You might also get a letter asking for more information.

That's another situation where Claimyr comes in handy - they can help you get through to find out what's holding up your adjudication.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more prepared to tackle the application now.

You've got this! Come back and let us know if you run into any issues.

Good to know! I was planning to apply tonight but maybe I'll wait until tomorrow to avoid any technical issues.

Smart move. Weekday mornings seem to have the fewest problems with the site.

I'll definitely screenshot everything. Thanks again everyone - this forum has been incredibly helpful!

You're welcome! Hope your application goes smoothly and you get approved quickly.