For filing your initial claim, seriously just go online. The phone is only worth it if you have ongoing issues with your claim that can't be resolved through the website. Save yourself the headache.

I work at a local workforce center and help people with unemployment claims regularly. While 800-318-6022 is the right number, here's what I tell everyone: file your initial claim online at esd.wa.gov first, even if you have questions. The system will flag any issues that need human review, and then you'll have a specific reason to call (like "my claim is pending adjudication" rather than general questions). This makes the phone conversation much more productive when you do get through. Also, keep all your employment documents handy - W2s, pay stubs, separation notice - you'll need dates and wage info regardless of how you file.

Nope, once I got through I only waited about 5 minutes to talk to an actual agent. Way better than the busy signals I kept getting before. Just make sure you have all your claim info ready when they connect you.

I went through something very similar last month - filed in late August and adjudication suddenly appeared in early October even though my employer confirmed the layoff was legitimate. Turned out ESD flagged my claim because I had reported some part-time work from earlier in the year that they wanted to verify. The frustrating part is they don't tell you what's being investigated until you actually speak with someone. I finally got through after using multiple strategies - calling right at 8am when lines open, trying the callback feature, and also contacting my local WorkSource office who was able to provide some general guidance. My case took about 5 weeks total to resolve once adjudication started. Hang in there and keep filing your weekly claims - that's crucial even during adjudication!

To answer your question about timing - if no identity verification is required, most claimants receive their first payment within 7-10 days after submitting their first weekly claim. But if they do request ID verification, it can add 2-3 weeks to the process. Just be sure to respond immediately if they request documents. Also, make sure you're completing your three required job search activities each week and documenting them properly. That's another common reason payments get held up for new claimants.

I went through this exact same situation last month! The waiting and uncertainty is definitely nerve-wracking. One thing that helped me was setting up text notifications in my eServices account - go to "Communication Preferences" and enable SMS alerts. That way you'll get immediate notifications if ESD needs anything from you, instead of relying only on email which can get buried or go to spam. Also, I found it helpful to log into eServices every couple days just to check the status, even if there are no new messages. The system updates pretty regularly and you'll see any new "Pending Issues" or payment status changes right away. You're doing everything right by staying on top of your weekly claims and job search activities!

Hope your recovery goes smoothly! At least you have the STD option to fall back on while you heal.

I work as a benefits counselor and see this situation frequently. You're absolutely right to be concerned about reporting correctly. The bottom line is Washington state requires you to be "able and available" for work to receive unemployment benefits. Since you'll be medically unable to work for 6-8 weeks, you should stop filing weekly claims once your disability period begins. However, I'd strongly recommend calling Washington ESD (or using a service like the Claimyr one mentioned above) to officially report the change in your status. This creates a paper trail showing you acted in good faith, which is important if you want to reopen your claim later. Also, make sure to get the exact start date for your STD benefits so there's no gap in coverage during the transition.

Company acquisitions are notorious for this kind of bait-and-switch tactic. They keep existing employees around just long enough to extract knowledge about processes, client relationships, and systems, then cut them loose once the transition is complete. The fact that they gave you contradictory reasons for termination actually strengthens your unemployment case significantly. When you file your claim, emphasize that you were explicitly told your position was secure during the acquisition meetings, completed training with the new company, and were terminated with false initial reasoning that they immediately retracted. This pattern suggests they had no legitimate performance-based reason for the termination. One thing to watch out for: some employers will try to claim "poor cultural fit" or similar vague reasons during the adjudication process. Keep all your documentation organized and be ready to provide specific dates, times, and witnesses to conversations. The burden of proof is on them to demonstrate misconduct, not on you to prove innocence. Good luck with your claim - this type of situation is exactly what unemployment insurance is designed to cover!

I went through something very similar about 6 months ago - new company took over, promised everyone their jobs were safe, then started picking people off one by one with made-up reasons. The changing story they gave you is actually a red flag that works in your favor for unemployment. Here's what I learned from my experience: file your claim immediately and be completely honest about everything that happened. When they ask about the reason for separation, explain that you were initially told it was for missed work days (which you can prove is false with your attendance records) but then they changed it to staff reduction. ESD sees right through these inconsistent stories from employers. Also, since you mentioned you've never applied before - make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months ready when you file. You'll need to report your gross wages from your last day of work, and having your final paystub handy will make the process smoother. The whole situation sucks, but you've got a solid case for benefits. Don't let them intimidate you - what they did is exactly why unemployment insurance exists.