Where to apply unemployment benefits in Washington state - confused about the process
I just got laid off from my job last week and I'm completely lost about where to apply for unemployment benefits. I've never done this before and I'm seeing different websites when I search online. Is there an official Washington state website I should be using? I don't want to accidentally apply on some scam site or mess this up. Any help would be really appreciated - I'm stressed about bills coming up and need to get this right the first time.
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Grant Vikers
You need to file through the official Washington State Employment Security Department website. Go to esd.wa.gov and look for the 'Apply for Benefits' section. Don't use any other sites - there are unfortunately some fake ones out there that try to charge fees.
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Amaya Watson
•Thank you! I was worried about that. Do I need to create an account first or can I just start the application?
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Grant Vikers
•You'll need to create a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account if you don't already have one. That's the login system Washington ESD uses for all their online services.
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Giovanni Martello
The whole process is pretty straightforward once you find the right site. Just make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history ready. You'll need details about your last employer too.
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Amaya Watson
•Good to know! How far back do they want employment history? Just my last job or everything?
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Giovanni Martello
•They typically ask for the last 18 months of work history, so gather info for all employers during that time period.
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Savannah Weiner
I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD when I first applied. The phone lines are always busy and their online chat is usually unavailable. If you run into issues reaching them, I actually found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.
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Amaya Watson
•Interesting, I've never heard of that. Is it legit? I'm paranoid about giving my info to third parties.
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Savannah Weiner
•Yeah it's legitimate - they basically just help you get through the phone queue faster. I was skeptical at first too but it actually worked when I needed to talk to someone about my claim status.
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Levi Parker
•I can vouch for Claimyr too. Used them when my claim got stuck in adjudication and I couldn't reach anyone for weeks. Much better than sitting on hold for hours.
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Libby Hassan
ugh the washington esd system is such a nightmare... took me 3 tries to get my application submitted correctly because their website kept timing out
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Amaya Watson
•Oh no, that's exactly what I'm worried about. Did you lose all your info when it timed out?
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Libby Hassan
•yeah the first two times it did. make sure to save copies of everything as you go and dont take too long filling it out
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Grant Vikers
Pro tip: Apply online rather than trying to call. The phone system is overwhelmed but the online application is available 24/7. You can also check your claim status online after you submit it.
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Hunter Hampton
•Agreed! The online system is definitely the way to go. Much faster than waiting on hold.
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Amaya Watson
•That's reassuring. I was dreading having to call somewhere and wait forever.
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Sofia Peña
Make sure you apply as soon as possible! There's a waiting period before benefits start, and you can't get paid for weeks before you actually file your claim.
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Amaya Watson
•How long is the waiting period usually?
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Sofia Peña
•There's typically a one-week waiting period, plus processing time. The sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits.
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Grant Vikers
•Exactly right. Don't delay - file your initial claim within the first week after losing your job if possible.
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Giovanni Martello
Also remember you'll need to file weekly claims every week to actually receive payments, even after your initial application is approved. It's not automatic.
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Amaya Watson
•Weekly claims? What does that involve?
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Giovanni Martello
•Every week you have to log in and certify that you're still unemployed, available for work, and actively searching for jobs. It's pretty quick once you get used to it.
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Aaron Boston
I remember being so confused about this when I first got laid off in 2023. The Washington ESD website layout can be a bit overwhelming at first but once you find the application section it's not too bad.
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Amaya Watson
•That makes me feel better. I was looking at the site earlier and there's so much information it's hard to know where to start.
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Aaron Boston
•Yeah just focus on finding the 'File a Claim' or 'Apply for Benefits' button and ignore all the other stuff for now. You can learn about the other resources later.
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Levi Parker
One more thing - if your claim gets stuck in 'adjudication' status (which happens sometimes), don't panic. It just means they need to review something about your eligibility. That's when services like Claimyr really come in handy for reaching an actual person to check on the status.
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Amaya Watson
•What causes a claim to go into adjudication?
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Levi Parker
•Could be anything - questions about why you were laid off, wage discrepancies, or just random quality control reviews. Most get resolved within a few weeks.
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Sophia Carter
Don't forget you'll also need to register with WorkSourceWA for the job search requirements. They'll tell you about this after you file but it's good to know ahead of time.
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Amaya Watson
•Job search requirements? How many jobs do I need to apply to?
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Sophia Carter
•Usually 3 job search activities per week, but the exact requirements can vary. They'll give you all the details once your claim is processed.
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Libby Hassan
honestly the worst part is just not knowing whats happening with your claim... the status updates are pretty vague and getting someone on the phone is nearly impossible
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Hunter Hampton
•So true! I was checking my claim status obsessively every day waiting for updates.
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Savannah Weiner
•That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr - I was going crazy not knowing if my claim was progressing or stuck somewhere.
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Chloe Zhang
The good news is once you get through the initial application process, the weekly claims are pretty routine. Just don't miss filing them or you could lose benefits for those weeks.
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Amaya Watson
•Thanks everyone! This has been super helpful. I'm going to go start the application now while I have all this info fresh in my mind.
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Grant Vikers
•Good luck! Remember to keep records of everything and don't hesitate to ask questions if you get stuck.
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Brandon Parker
Just wanted to add - have your bank account info ready if you want direct deposit. Otherwise you'll have to wait for checks in the mail which takes longer.
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Amaya Watson
•Definitely want direct deposit! Thanks for the reminder.
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Adriana Cohn
One last tip - take screenshots of your completed application before you submit it, just in case there are any issues later. I learned this the hard way!
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Amaya Watson
•Smart thinking! I'll definitely do that.
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Sofia Peña
•Great advice. Also print or save a copy of the confirmation page after you submit.
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Jace Caspullo
Hope everything goes smoothly with your application! The whole process can be stressful but you've got this.
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Amaya Watson
•Thank you! Feeling much more confident about it now after all this help.
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