Where to go for unemployment benefits - Washington ESD office locations vs online?

You can file your entire unemployment claim online through the Washington ESD website at esd.wa.gov. No need to visit an office in person unless you have a really complicated situation. Just create an account and follow the prompts to file your initial claim.

I tried filing online last month and kept getting error messages. Ended up having to call Washington ESD but could never get through. The phone lines are always busy.

If you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about filing, I recently discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helped me get through to an actual agent. They have this video demo (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ) that shows how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

DO NOT GO TO THE OFFICES! They're mostly closed to walk-ins anyway. Everything is online now or by phone. I learned this the hard way when I drove 45 minutes to the Seattle office only to be told I had to file online.

The Washington ESD website has a really good step-by-step guide for first-time filers. Start there and you'll be fine. Make sure you file your weekly claims every week after your initial claim is processed or you won't get paid for those weeks.

Also make sure you register with WorkSource Washington for the job search requirements. You can't just sit at home collecting checks - you have to be actively looking for work and document it.

been through this whole process twice now. first time was a nightmare trying to reach anyone at washington esd. second time i used that claimyr thing someone mentioned and got through right away. wish i'd known about it the first time around

The whole system is just designed to make it as hard as possible to get benefits. They hope you'll give up and go away. Don't let them discourage you - you paid into this system and you deserve the benefits.

Make sure you keep all your records organized from day one. Save every email, document every phone call, keep copies of all your job applications. If something goes wrong later you'll need all that documentation.

Quick question - does anyone know if you can file for unemployment benefits if you were working part-time? I was only working 25 hours a week before I got laid off.

One thing nobody mentioned - if you're in a union, check with them first. Sometimes they have specific procedures or can help you navigate the Washington ESD system. My union rep knew exactly what forms I needed.

Just want to add that if you get stuck anywhere in the process, that Claimyr service really does work. I was skeptical at first but when I couldn't get through to Washington ESD for over a week, I tried it and got connected within minutes. Worth checking out their demo video if you're curious.

The most important thing is to file as soon as possible after you lose your job. There's a waiting week but you can't get benefits for weeks you don't file for, even if you file later.

Also remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them when you file your tax return next year. Just something to keep in mind for planning purposes.

The Washington ESD mobile app is pretty decent too if you prefer using your phone. Makes it easier to file your weekly claims when you're on the go.

Last tip - set up direct deposit right away when you file your claim. Paper checks take forever and can get lost in the mail. Electronic payments are much more reliable.