This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation - just got approved for unemployment and was hesitant to start the medical assistant program I'd been considering because I wasn't sure about the rules. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like as long as I keep it part-time and stay actively job searching, I should be okay. The 20 hours per week guideline is really useful to know. I'm definitely going to report everything upfront to avoid any issues down the road. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

This is exactly the kind of comprehensive discussion I was hoping to find! I'm also considering enrolling in a part-time program while on unemployment and was really nervous about how it might affect my benefits. The 20-hour guideline and emphasis on staying available for work during business hours makes a lot of sense. I especially appreciate everyone sharing their actual experiences - both positive and negative. It's clear that being upfront and transparent with Washington ESD from the start is crucial. The mention of the Training Benefits Program is intriguing too, since my program is in a high-demand field. Definitely going to call ESD before I make any final decisions about enrollment. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful information!

This thread has been so helpful! I just got hired at my first job in Washington and was completely confused about all the deductions on my paystub. Reading through everyone's explanations about how UI is entirely employer-funded while PFML comes from both employer and employee contributions really cleared things up for me. What bothers me is that this information isn't made clear upfront - like during new hire paperwork or orientation. I can see how so many people would assume they're paying into unemployment insurance when they see deductions coming out of their check. It seems like basic worker education that should be provided by employers or maybe even ESD itself. I'm definitely bookmarking this conversation for future reference, and I'll make sure to share this knowledge with other new workers I meet. Thanks everyone for taking the time to explain such an important but confusing system!

This has been such an educational thread! I'm fairly new to Washington (moved here about 6 months ago from Oregon) and I've been totally confused about this whole system. In Oregon, employees DO contribute to unemployment insurance, so when I saw the PFML deduction on my Washington paystub, I just assumed it was the same thing with a different name. Now I understand that Washington's UI system is completely employer-funded, which actually makes me feel better about having filed for benefits when my previous job ended due to company restructuring. My former supervisor made some comment about "hoping I wouldn't stay on unemployment too long" and I thought she was just being supportive, but now I realize she was probably worried about their experience rating! It's honestly kind of frustrating that this basic information about how our unemployment system works isn't more readily available or clearly explained. I had to stumble across this community discussion to finally understand something that directly affects my rights as a worker. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge here - especially those with HR experience who broke down the technical details about tax rates and experience ratings.

I switched to direct deposit after using the KeyBank card for a few months. Way more convenient and I don't have to worry about losing another card or remembering another PIN.

Overall the KeyBank Reliacard system works pretty well for Washington unemployment. Just treat it like any other debit card and you shouldn't have problems.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim about 10 days ago and it's been showing "pending determination" the whole time. Reading through all these responses is really helpful, especially learning that I should be filing weekly claims even while it's pending! I had no idea about that requirement and was waiting for approval first. Also going to set up those text notifications that Mikayla mentioned - seems like a much better way to stay informed than constantly refreshing the page. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it's reassuring to know this waiting period is normal even though it's stressful when bills are due.

I'm going through this exact same process right now - submitted my claim about 5 days ago and keep checking the status obsessively! It's really helpful to read everyone's experiences and realize this waiting period is totally normal. The tip about filing weekly claims even while pending is crucial - I almost made the same mistake of waiting for approval first. Also setting up those text notifications sounds like a lifesaver compared to constantly refreshing the page. One question for those who've been through this - is there any pattern to when they typically update statuses during the week, or is it pretty random? Trying to manage my expectations about when I might see a change from "pending determination.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you apply for Training Benefits, make sure you also submit a detailed career plan explaining how this training connects to your previous work experience and future career goals. I think this really helped my application get approved faster. Since you have healthcare admin experience, you can emphasize how medical coding builds on that background and how it's a logical career progression. ESD wants to see that you're not just randomly picking a training program but that it makes sense for your career path. Also, once you do get approved, you'll get a letter with specific requirements you need to follow (like maintaining satisfactory progress, reporting any changes, etc.). Keep that letter handy because you'll need to reference it throughout your training! Good luck with your application! Medical coding is definitely a smart choice given the demand in healthcare.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also check if your chosen medical coding program offers any financial aid or scholarships. Even if Training Benefits gets approved, there might be program costs that aren't fully covered. I went through a similar situation last year and found that some community colleges have specific grants for displaced workers that can help with books, certification exam fees, and other expenses that Training Benefits doesn't cover. Also, just a heads up - the medical coding field often requires passing certification exams (like CPC or CCS) after completing your program. Make sure the training program you choose prepares you for these exams and includes exam prep, because employers almost always require certification. Some programs even include the exam fee in their tuition, which is definitely worth considering when comparing options. The job market for medical coders is really strong right now, especially with remote work options, so you're making a smart choice! Just make sure you understand all the costs upfront so there aren't any surprises later.