I'm in almost the exact same situation! Just accepted a position that starts September 3rd, so I have about 4 weeks of benefits left to navigate. This entire thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea there were so many others dealing with this exact timing issue. The standby status option sounds perfect for my timeframe, and I'm definitely calling ESD tomorrow to inquire about it. The email template everyone's sharing for handling interview requests is exactly what I needed - I've been so worried about how to be professional while being honest about my situation. It's really reassuring to hear that most employers actually respect the transparency. One thing that's been weighing on me is whether I should proactively mention my accepted position in my job applications during this period, or only bring it up if I get interview requests. Has anyone tried mentioning it upfront in applications, or is it better to wait until there's actual employer interest? Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed real-world advice - this community support is invaluable!

I'm actually going through this exact situation right now too! Just accepted a position that starts September 12th, so I have about 5 weeks left on unemployment. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the standby status option and will definitely be calling ESD tomorrow to ask about it. The email template everyone's sharing for handling interview requests is perfect - I've been really anxious about how to handle that professionally. It's so reassuring to hear from people who've actually been through this and that employers generally appreciate the honesty. One thing I'm curious about - for those who successfully used the standby status, how quickly did ESD process it? Since I have 5 weeks left, I'm wondering if it's worth pursuing or if the approval might take just as long as my remaining benefit period. Either way, I feel so much more confident about navigating this after reading everyone's experiences. Thank you all for sharing such practical, real-world advice!

Hey Diego! I just went through this exact situation about 3 months ago - worked in downtown Portland, lived in Olympia, got laid off unexpectedly. Everyone here is giving you spot-on advice about filing with Oregon since that's where your employer paid into the unemployment system. One thing I wanted to add that really helped me: when you're filling out the Oregon application, they'll ask for your "reason for separation" - make sure you select the exact reason that matches your termination letter or what HR told you. I initially put "lack of work" when my employer had specifically said "position elimination," and it caused a small delay while they verified the details with my former employer. Also, Oregon's system will ask if you're "able and available" to work - just make sure you answer yes to this even though you live in Washington. They understand that border workers commute, and you're obviously able to work in the Portland area where your industry connections are. The interstate process really isn't as complicated as it seems once you get started. Oregon handles thousands of Washington residents every year. The hardest part is just getting that initial claim filed, but once you do, you'll feel so much relief! Hang in there!

I'm in a very similar situation - worked in Portland for the past year and a half while living in Vancouver, just got laid off this week. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! It's clear I need to file with Oregon, not Washington. A couple questions for those who've been through this: 1. When Oregon asks for employment verification documents, do they typically accept digital copies of pay stubs and termination letters, or do they require physical mail? 2. Has anyone had issues with Oregon recognizing Washington bank accounts for direct deposit? I'm hoping to avoid the debit card delay if possible. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - makes this whole process feel much less overwhelming when you know other people in our area have successfully navigated it!

Good luck with your claim! Layoffs are usually straightforward for Washington ESD to process compared to other separation types. You should be approved as long as everything else checks out.

Just to add another perspective - I work in HR and deal with unemployment claims regularly. When Washington ESD contacts employers about separation, they're specifically looking to verify the circumstances you reported. Since you mentioned having a layoff notice, definitely upload that documentation. It makes the verification process much smoother and faster. Also, be aware that if your company is doing multiple layoffs, Washington ESD might already be familiar with your employer's situation, which can actually help speed up your claim processing.

Thanks everyone for all the info. This has answered pretty much every question I had about working while on unemployment. Time to sign up for some delivery apps!

Another thing to keep in mind - make sure you understand the difference between gross and net pay when tracking your gig earnings. The apps will show you what you earned before their fees, but for unemployment reporting purposes you want to report what you actually received. So if DoorDash shows $50 in earnings but takes a $5 service fee, you'd report $45. Keep screenshots of your weekly earnings summaries from each app to make filing your claims easier.

Thanks everyone for all this helpful info! I feel much more confident about filing now. It sounds like seasonal work ending definitely qualifies for unemployment benefits, which is a huge relief. I'm going to gather all my employment documents and file online this week. Really appreciate all the detailed advice about the job search requirements and wage calculations - this community is awesome!

I was in a similar situation after my seasonal job at a pumpkin patch ended last fall! The good news is that seasonal layoffs absolutely qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington. The application process was pretty straightforward - just make sure you have all your employment dates and wage information ready. One thing I wish I had known earlier is that you need to start your job search activities right away, even if you're hoping to get called back for next season. Washington ESD requires those 3 weekly job search activities regardless of whether your layoff is seasonal or permanent. Also, don't let the waiting week discourage you - file as soon as possible to get your benefit year started. The sooner you apply, the sooner you'll start receiving payments after that first unpaid week.