Which forms to file for Washington ESD unemployment benefits - confused about the process

Thanks! Do I need to have all my pay stubs ready or just the basic job info?

Just the basic info - employer names, addresses, dates worked, and approximate wages. They can verify the details later if needed.

How do I know when to start filing the weekly claims? Is there a waiting period?

You can start filing weekly claims right after your initial claim is processed. There's a one-week waiting period but you still need to file that first week.

I had the same problem until I found claimyr.com - they help you get through to ESD agents without waiting on hold for hours. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made a huge difference for me.

Really? That sounds too good to be true. How does it actually work?

It basically calls Washington ESD for you and only connects you when they get a real person on the line. Saved me from spending hours listening to busy signals.

Is that something I do right away or can I wait until after my claim is approved?

You should do it as soon as possible. They require job search activities starting your second week of benefits, so you'll need that WorkSource account set up.

What does adjudication mean exactly? I keep seeing that word but don't understand it.

Adjudication is when they need to review your claim for eligibility issues. Could be anything from job separation details to wage verification. Usually takes 1-3 weeks.

What if I can't remember my supervisor's exact name or the HR department contact?

Just put what you know - company name, address, and approximate dates are the most important. They can figure out the rest.

Good luck getting through though - I've been trying for days and keep getting busy signals or hung up on.

That's exactly why I started using Claimyr. The regular Washington ESD phone system is basically impossible during busy periods. Much easier to let them handle the calling part.

It's actually by 11:59 PM on the Sunday of your claim week. But yeah, they don't emphasize that deadline enough.

What happens if you miss that deadline? Do you lose that week's benefits?

You can still file late but it might delay your payment. Try not to make it a habit.

Is there a way to save your progress if you need to stop in the middle?

I believe you can save and come back to it, but don't quote me on that. Might want to have all your info ready before you start just in case.

Is there any way to speed that up? I'm already behind on bills from being laid off.

Not really - it's just how the system works. Plan accordingly if you can.

Wait, really? I didn't know unemployment was taxable. That's going to be a nasty surprise next year.

Yeah, learned that the hard way. There should be an option during the application to have taxes withheld automatically.

What are the most common reasons claims get denied?

Usually it's issues with how you left your job - if they think you quit voluntarily or were fired for misconduct. Sometimes it's wage eligibility issues too.

How long did it take you to get your first payment?

About 3 weeks total, but that included a week delay because I messed up one of my weekly claims early on.

How many jobs do I need to apply for each week?

I think it's 3 job search activities per week, but they don't all have to be applications. Check the Washington ESD website for current requirements.

That's good advice. I was thinking about waiting a week to see if any of my job applications pan out.

Don't wait - file now. There's already a waiting week built in, so delaying just costs you money.

I've tried calling at all different times and still can't get through. It's ridiculous.

That's why services like Claimyr exist - the regular phone system is basically broken during busy periods. Sometimes you need to work around the system instead of fighting it.

Thanks everyone for all the help! I feel much more confident about starting the process now.

You've got this! Come back here if you run into any issues - lots of helpful people in this community.

Great idea! I'll make sure to save everything as I go.

Exactly - better to have too much documentation than not enough when dealing with government agencies.