Where to claim unemployment in Washington state - need help finding the right place to start

You'll want to go to the Washington State Employment Security Department website at esd.wa.gov. There's an 'Apply for Benefits' section where you can file your initial claim online. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months.

The online portal is called SecureAccess Washington (SAW). You'll create an account there and then apply for unemployment insurance benefits. Make sure you have your employer information handy including dates of employment and reason for separation.

I tried calling Washington ESD yesterday to ask the same question and was on hold for 3 hours before getting disconnected. The website is definitely your best bet. I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual person when I had questions later. They have this demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Don't even bother trying to call them. I've been trying for 2 weeks to get through about my claim being stuck and it's impossible. The online system is the only way that actually works.

For most basic questions, the website has a pretty good FAQ section. You can also send secure messages through your SAW account, though responses can take a while. The key is to be as complete as possible when filing your initial claim to avoid issues later.

Also heads up - after you file your initial claim, you have to file weekly claims every week to actually get paid. It's not automatic. I learned that the hard way and missed my first week of benefits.

The whole system is a mess honestly. I've been dealing with Washington ESD for 6 months now and it's been nothing but problems. Good luck getting any help when things go wrong.

Don't let the horror stories scare you. Most claims go through without major issues if you're eligible and provide accurate information. The problems you hear about are usually when there's a separation issue or wage discrepancy that needs investigation.

Just to add about Claimyr since someone asked - I used it when my claim got stuck and I needed to reach an actual Washington ESD agent. You basically tell them what you need help with and they get you connected. Saved me probably 20+ hours of calling myself.

Make sure you keep track of all your job search activities from day one. Washington requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and you have to log them in the system.

One more tip - if you worked for multiple employers in the past year, make sure you list ALL of them on your application. I forgot about a part-time job I had 8 months ago and it caused delays.

The good news is once you get your claim established and start filing weekly, it becomes pretty routine. The hard part is just getting through the initial setup without any flags that send you to adjudication hell.

Also be prepared for the identity verification process. They're really strict about it now. You'll need to upload documents proving who you are - driver's license, Social Security card, etc.

Just start the process online at esd.wa.gov and take it step by step. The system will guide you through everything you need to do. Don't overthink it.

One last thing - if you get any correspondence from Washington ESD, respond to it immediately. Missing deadlines for things like appeals or providing requested information can mess up your whole claim.

Hope your experience goes smoother than mine did. The system works for some people, just be prepared for potential headaches.

Final reminder - file your claim as soon as possible, be completely honest and accurate with all information, keep detailed records of everything, and stay on top of your weekly filings and job search requirements. You'll be fine.

Good luck with everything! The first few weeks are always the most stressful but it gets easier once you understand the routine.