Where to go to get unemployment benefits in Washington - need help starting my claim

Thank you! Do I need to bring any documents or paperwork when I apply online?

You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the past 18 months, and bank account info for direct deposit. Have all that ready before you start the application.

I've been trying to call them for weeks about my claim status and can never get through. The phone system just hangs up on you after waiting forever.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr.com - they have a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call.

That actually sounds really helpful. I'm going to check that out because I'm at my wit's end with trying to reach them.

That's disappointing. I was hoping to be able to talk to someone face to face to make sure I'm doing everything right.

I know it sucks but honestly the online application is pretty straightforward. Just take your time and read each question carefully.

How long does it usually take to get approved? I have bills to pay and I'm starting to worry.

If everything goes smoothly, about 2-3 weeks. But if your claim goes into adjudication for any reason, it can take much longer.

What's adjudication? This is all so confusing to me.

I got laid off due to company downsizing, so hopefully that won't be an issue for me.

Even straightforward layoffs can sometimes get flagged for adjudication. The system is really sensitive and flags lots of claims for manual review.

Weekly claims? What are those exactly?

every week you have to log in and report whether you worked, looked for work, were available to work, etc. its how they determine if you qualify for benefits that week

The weekly claims are super important. I missed one week early on and it was a huge hassle to get it straightened out.

How many job contacts do I need to make per week?

It's usually 3 job search activities per week, but it can vary based on your situation. They'll give you the specific requirements when you apply.

Have you tried reaching out to your state representative? Sometimes they can help push things along.

Before going the political route, try using Claimyr to actually get through to an ESD agent. I was able to get answers about my adjudication delay that way when calling normally wasn't working.

Did you have to provide pay stubs or just the basic employment info?

Just the basic info during the application. They might ask for pay stubs later if they need to verify something, but not usually during the initial application.

Good tip, thank you! I'll make sure to keep that information in a safe place.

Also set up direct deposit right away. Getting paper checks takes forever and they can get lost in the mail.

Is there a best time of day to apply to avoid technical issues?

I'd avoid Sunday afternoons and evenings when the system gets overloaded. Early morning or late evening usually works better.

I was definitely laid off due to company downsizing, not fired, so I should be okay on that front.

That's good. Company layoffs are usually pretty straightforward for unemployment purposes.

I hadn't thought about the tax implications. Thanks for mentioning that!

Yeah, I learned that the hard way last year. Definitely have them withhold taxes if you can afford the slightly smaller payment.

That's really good advice. I'll start keeping records from the beginning.

I wish someone had told me that when I first applied. Would have saved me a lot of headaches later.

I'll keep that number handy just in case, but sounds like I should try to handle everything online if possible.

If you do need to call, seriously consider using Claimyr. The regular phone line is basically unusable most of the time, but their service actually gets you through to talk to someone.

Thank you so much! Everyone's advice has been really helpful. I feel much more prepared to start the application process now.

We've all been there. The unemployment system isn't user-friendly but you'll figure it out. Don't hesitate to ask more questions if you get stuck.