Where to go file for unemployment in Washington - need to start my claim

You file online through the Washington ESD website at esd.wa.gov. There's no need to go to a physical office unless you have specific issues that require in-person help. The online application is pretty straightforward - you'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and basic personal information.

Just went through this myself a few months ago. The Washington ESD online system works but be prepared for it to be slow sometimes. Make sure you have all your employment info ready before you start - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation.

If you run into problems getting through to Washington ESD by phone (which happens a lot), I recently discovered Claimyr at claimyr.com. They help you get connected to an actual ESD agent without sitting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helped me when I was stuck trying to get answers about my claim status.

Whatever you do, DON'T wait to file! You want to get your claim in as soon as possible because there's usually a waiting period and benefits are calculated from when you file, not when you lost your job. Washington ESD requires you to file within a certain timeframe to avoid issues.

the esd website is such a pain to navigate but once you find the right section its not too bad. just make sure your browser doesnt timeout while youre filling it out - happened to me twice and i had to start over

One more tip - after you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits. Don't forget this step because if you miss a week, you won't get paid for that week. The weekly claims open on Sunday and you have until Saturday to file.

I'm in the same boat as you - just lost my job yesterday. This thread is really helpful. I'm going to file today. Thanks everyone for the info!

Make sure you understand the job search requirements too. Washington ESD requires you to actively look for work and keep a log of your activities. They can audit this at any time so don't skip it thinking no one will check.

Also be aware that if there are any issues with your claim, it might go into adjudication which can delay your benefits. This happens if there are questions about why you left your job or discrepancies in your employment history. Just be completely honest on your application.

If you do end up needing to call Washington ESD for any reason during the process, seriously consider using Claimyr. I spent hours trying to get through on my own before finding that service. Saved me so much time and frustration.

Just want to emphasize again - FILE IMMEDIATELY! I see too many people wait thinking they need to find a job first or that they should wait a week. You're just losing money by waiting. The system has a built-in waiting period anyway.

The Washington ESD system isn't perfect but it works. Main thing is to be patient and keep good records of everything. Take screenshots of important pages and save confirmation numbers.

One thing that tripped me up - make sure you know the exact reason you left your last job because they'll ask. 'Laid off due to lack of work' is different from 'terminated' which is different from 'quit.' Be specific and accurate.

does anyone know if the offices are still doing in person appointments? i know covid changed a lot of stuff but sometimes i prefer talking to someone face to face

Update - I just filed my claim online and it was actually pretty easy! Took about 30 minutes and I had my confirmation number. Thanks again everyone for the guidance.

Pro tip: if you're eligible for standby status (like seasonal workers who expect to return to the same employer), there's a different process. But for most people, the regular UI claim is what you need.

once you get your first payment youll need to set up the debit card or direct deposit. direct deposit is way faster if you ask me

Just to circle back on the phone support thing - if anyone needs to speak with an ESD agent during this process, Claimyr really does work well. I've recommended it to a few friends now and they've all had success getting through to someone when they needed help.

This whole thread has been super helpful. I've been putting off filing because I didn't know where to start but now I feel confident about the process. Going to do it this afternoon.

Glad we could help! Remember that after you file, it can take a few days to a few weeks to hear back depending on whether your claim needs any additional review. Don't panic if you don't hear anything immediately - that's normal.