One last tip - if you do get laid off and have trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone for any reason, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier really does work. I used it when my claim got stuck and needed to speak with someone urgently. Saved me days of calling.

I went through a layoff situation about 6 months ago and want to add that you should also be prepared for the emotional side of this process. Even though layoffs qualify for benefits and the system is generally supportive, losing your job is still stressful. Don't be afraid to reach out to the WorkSource career counselors - they offer free services beyond just job search requirements. They helped me update my resume and practice interviewing, which made me feel more confident during the job hunt. Also, consider joining some local networking groups or LinkedIn communities for your industry. Sometimes the connections you make there are just as valuable as the unemployment benefits themselves.

Bottom line - most people get approved, it just takes time. Since you were laid off and not fired, you should be fine. The hardest part is just waiting it out.

I went through this same process about 6 months ago after being laid off from my tech job. It took exactly 18 days from filing to approval, which seemed pretty typical. The key things that helped me were: 1) Making sure I had my employer's exact business name and address when filing, 2) Having my last day of work documented clearly, and 3) filing my weekly claims religiously even while waiting. The backpay was definitely worth it - I got about $2,400 all at once when it finally came through. One thing I wish someone had told me is that you can check your claim status online through eServices, though it's not super detailed. Hang in there, layoff claims usually go through without issues!

This whole situation is ridiculous. ESD is a complete mess since COVID. My claim from 2024 is still "under review" and I call every month only to be told "it's in process" whatever that means. Now I'm scared they'll hit me with some random overpayment too. Good luck with your case!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - what a bureaucratic nightmare! As someone new to this community, I'm shocked reading about how common these vague overpayment notices seem to be. A few thoughts that might help: 1. Document EVERYTHING - it sounds like you're already doing this, but make sure you have timestamped screenshots of any online interactions with ESD, printed copies of all emails, and photos of any physical mail with postmarks clearly visible. 2. Have you considered reaching out to local news stations? Sometimes media attention on these kinds of bureaucratic failures can pressure agencies to resolve cases more quickly. 3. For your Superior Court case, you might want to include a Freedom of Information Act request for any internal ESD communications about your case - sometimes these reveal procedural errors or show that staff knew they made mistakes. The combination of the GI Bill confusion that @Declan Ramirez mentioned plus the timing issues around your move could definitely explain this mess. Hang in there - it sounds like you have a strong case with all the procedural violations!

LOL everyone here giving different answers just shows how messed up the unemployment system is! I've been through 3 different claims and gotten 3 different outcomes from ESD for basically the same situation each time. It all depends which agent reviews your case and what mood they're in that day 🙄 But seriously, just make sure EVERYTHING is documented. Save emails, take screenshots, get the seasonal nature in writing. When your seasonal job ends, you might get put in adjudication anyway (I did), but if you have documentation you'll eventually get approved.

I'm in a similar boat - currently on partial UI while working part-time and considering a seasonal hospitality job for the summer. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like the key is really getting that documentation upfront and continuing to file weekly claims even when you're not receiving benefits. @Gabrielle - one thing I'd add is maybe ask your seasonal employer if they can specify in writing not just that it's seasonal, but also mention something like "position will end due to conclusion of tourist season" or whatever applies to your situation. That way it's crystal clear it's ending due to lack of work rather than any performance issues. Also, even though calling ESD is a nightmare, you might want to try the online messaging system through your eServices account. I've had better luck getting responses that way, though it can take a few days. At least you'll have their answer in writing if you do decide to take the seasonal position. Good luck with whatever you decide! That tour guide job sounds like it could be fun while you're job hunting for something permanent in marketing.

Hey Anna! I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when I was making around $1,100/week at my manufacturing job. Like others mentioned, Washington uses your base year earnings, but since you've been at $1,000/week for 14 months, you should actually be in a really good position. I ended up getting $687/week in benefits, which was way better than I expected. The key thing that helped me was keeping detailed records of all my pay stubs - when you apply, having exact quarterly earnings makes the process much smoother. Also, don't stress too much about the ESD website being confusing - once you actually file, they walk you through everything step by step. The hardest part is just getting started with the application!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that Washington ESD also has a waiting week, which means your first week of unemployment won't be paid even if you're approved. So when you're calculating your finances, factor in that you'll get your first payment in week 2, not week 1. Also, if you end up needing to appeal any decision or if there are issues with your claim, it can add weeks to the process. I'd recommend having some emergency savings set aside just in case there are delays. With your $1,000/week earnings for 14 months though, you should qualify without any major issues - that's a solid work history that ESD likes to see.