I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Filed my claim about 2.5 weeks ago, shows "active" status, but haven't seen a penny yet. The stress is real when rent is due and you're counting on these benefits. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm realizing this "submitted" vs "processed" distinction for weekly claims is huge - I just checked mine and they're all stuck on "submitted" too! I had no clue that was even something to monitor. Definitely going to try the secure messaging approach through eServices that @Mateo Gonzalez mentioned - I've been calling ESD obsessively with zero luck, so having an actual alternative is amazing. Also planning to call my former employer first thing tomorrow to see if they're sitting on some verification request. @Keisha Jackson - thank you so much for posting this! It's been incredibly reassuring to realize this isn't just me, and the community advice here has been way more helpful than anything on ESD's official site. The lack of transparency in their system is just brutal when people are already financially stressed. I'll definitely update everyone on what I find out. Fingers crossed we all get our claims unstuck soon! 🤞

I'm in almost exactly the same situation! Filed my unemployment claim about 3 weeks ago and it shows "active" but zero payments have come through. Reading through all these experiences has been both a relief and super frustrating - relief that this seems to be a common issue and not something uniquely wrong with my claim, but frustrating that the system is so opaque about what's actually happening. The tip about checking whether weekly claims show "submitted" vs "processed" is incredibly eye-opening - I just checked and all mine say "submitted" too! I had no idea there was even a difference to look for until reading this thread. I'm definitely going to try the secure messaging approach through eServices that @Mateo Gonzalez mentioned since the phone system has been completely useless. Also planning to call my former employer tomorrow to see if they received any verification requests from ESD that they haven't responded to yet. The financial stress is bad enough without the added anxiety of not knowing what's happening with your claim. This thread has been more helpful than anything on ESD's actual website! I'll report back on what I discover and hopefully we can all get our situations resolved soon. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions! 🙏

This is such a helpful thread! I'm actually in a similar situation but with a twist - my benefit year ended last week but I started a temporary job right before it ended. I worked for 5 days and then got laid off again when the project finished. Now I'm not sure if I should file a subsequent claim or if those 5 days of work somehow reset everything? I'm worried that working those few days might have messed up my eligibility or created some kind of gap in my claim. Has anyone dealt with working briefly right around when their benefit year ended? I don't want to file the wrong type of claim and cause delays.

I'm going through this exact same process right now! Filed my subsequent claim yesterday after my benefit year ended on Saturday. Reading through all these responses is both reassuring and nerve-wracking at the same time. It's good to see that most people seem to get through it within 2 weeks without a waiting week. I'm particularly worried because I only worked about 5 months during my previous benefit year before getting laid off again. Hopefully that's enough to establish a new claim. Has anyone here dealt with having limited work history during their benefit year? I'm trying not to panic but the rent is due in 12 days and I'm already cutting it close. Thanks Oliver for posting this - it's exactly the kind of real-world info that's impossible to find on the ESD website!

I'm 64 and was in almost this exact same situation about a year ago when my manufacturing job ended after 18 years. I was so worried about the Social Security/unemployment conflict too! Turns out Washington state makes it really straightforward - you can absolutely collect both. The only "gotcha" I discovered was that you need to be really diligent about your weekly job search activities. At our age, it's easy to get discouraged and maybe slack off on the 3 required activities per week, but Washington ESD does check up on this. I used WorkSourceWA to track everything and made sure to apply to jobs, attend virtual job fairs, and do skills assessments regularly. Collected both benefits for about 4 months until I found a good part-time position that worked with my Social Security. The peace of mind of having both income streams during the job search was huge. Don't let your neighbor's confusion hold you back - you've earned these benefits!

I'm 68 and just wanted to add my experience to this helpful thread! I was laid off from my retail management position 3 months ago and was terrified about how collecting unemployment might affect my Social Security benefits. Like many of you, I got conflicting advice from everyone - some said I'd lose my Social Security, others said I couldn't get unemployment at my age. Turns out both were completely wrong! I've been successfully collecting both for 12 weeks now with zero issues. The Washington ESD online system even has a helpful dropdown menu specifically for Social Security when you're reporting other income, so they clearly expect people to be in this situation. The hardest part was honestly just getting past my own fear and misconceptions about the system. To Sofia and everyone else in similar situations - don't let age discrimination fears or misinformation from well-meaning people stop you from getting benefits you've earned. The job market is tough enough for older workers without voluntarily giving up financial support that's rightfully yours!

I've been dealing with partial unemployment for about 8 months now and wanted to share a few things I've learned that might help others. First, always file your weekly claim on the same day each week - I do mine every Saturday morning and it's become a routine. Second, if you have direct deposit set up, payments usually hit your account within 2-3 business days of filing. Third, keep a simple spreadsheet with your weekly hours and earnings - it makes filing so much easier when you have everything organized. One thing that surprised me was how supportive my coworkers were when they found out I was getting partial benefits. Turns out several of them had used it during previous slow periods. The program really does what it's supposed to do - helps you stay afloat during temporary reductions without having to find a completely new job. Don't let pride keep you from using a benefit you've earned through your work history!

I've been on partial unemployment in Washington for about 3 months now after my restaurant cut everyone's hours due to slower business. The process has been pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. A few things I wish I had known from the start: 1) You can actually start your claim on any day of the week when your hours get reduced - don't wait for a specific day. 2) The online system works best early in the morning or late at night when fewer people are using it. 3) Keep a simple notebook by your computer with your usual work schedule so you can quickly reference your hours when filing weekly claims. 4) If you pick up any odd jobs or gig work while on partial benefits, report every penny - even cash tips. The system is pretty forgiving if you're honest, but they're strict about unreported income. The financial relief has been huge during this slow period, and my manager was actually grateful that I found a way to supplement my income without having to quit and find another job. Don't hesitate to apply if you're in a similar situation - it's exactly what the program is designed for!

I'm in a very similar situation - also in construction and down to my last few weeks of regular UI benefits. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful, especially learning about the Training Benefits program. I had no idea that existed! One question for those who've been through this process: are there any specific training programs that are particularly well-suited for construction workers? I've been doing residential framing for 8 years but I'm open to learning new skills, especially if it means I can get some financial support while training. Energy-efficient construction sounds promising like the original poster mentioned, but I'm wondering if there are other trades or certifications that are considered "high-demand" in Washington right now. Also, does anyone know if the Training Benefits program allows part-time work while you're in training? I might be able to pick up some small side jobs even during the slow season, but I don't want to jeopardize my benefits eligibility. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - this thread has given me hope that there might be a path forward even if regular extensions aren't available!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works in workforce development - the advice here about Training Benefits is spot on, but I'd also suggest looking into Washington's Apprenticeship programs. Many building trades apprenticeships (electrical, plumbing, carpentry, etc.) actually provide a small living allowance while you're learning, plus you get paid progressively more as you advance through the program. The good news is that some apprenticeships can be combined with Training Benefits in certain circumstances, though you'd need to verify this with ESD. Also, with your framing background, you might be able to get advanced placement in a carpentry apprenticeship program, which could shorten the timeline. One resource that hasn't been mentioned yet is the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) - they have job boards and sometimes know about training opportunities or temporary work that could help bridge the gap. Worth checking out while you're exploring your options. The construction industry in Washington is definitely cyclical, but all the infrastructure and housing development planned for the next few years means there should be good opportunities once you get through this rough patch. Hang in there!