Hey Riya! I just went through this exact same situation a few months ago when I got laid off from my tech job. The advice you're getting here is spot on - definitely answer NO to the notice period question since severance is completely different. One thing I wish someone had told me early on: create a simple spreadsheet to track all your severance payments, dates received, and what you reported to ESD each week. It saved me so much headache when I had questions later. Also, if your severance payments are substantial like mine were, don't be surprised if you get $0 benefits for several weeks - that's totally normal and expected. The most important thing is to keep filing those weekly claims religiously, even when you're getting nothing. I made the mistake of skipping a few weeks thinking "what's the point if I'm getting $0" and it created issues when I tried to restart later. Just keep filing and everything will smooth out once your severance period ends in March!

I'm going through a similar situation right now after being laid off from my marketing job in September. Just wanted to add that when you're reporting your severance payments, make sure you're clear about whether they're taxable or not - this can affect how much gets deducted from your benefits. Also, if your company is providing any continuing benefits (like health insurance coverage) during your severance period, that doesn't need to be reported as income, but it's worth noting in case ESD asks about it later. One tip that helped me: I took a screenshot of each weekly claim submission showing exactly what I reported and when. It creates a paper trail in case there are any questions down the road. The whole process is stressful enough without worrying about documentation issues later! Good luck navigating this - it sounds like you're being really thorough about getting it right, which is exactly the right approach.

I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been on Washington ESD unemployment for about 6 weeks after getting laid off from my marketing job in Tacoma, and I've been considering moving back to my hometown in Arizona to be closer to family and reduce living costs. Reading all these success stories is really reassuring - I was terrified that moving would somehow mess up my benefits or get me in trouble. It sounds like as long as I update my address, keep filing weekly claims, and continue job searching, I should be fine. The stress of trying to afford rent in Washington while unemployed has been overwhelming, so knowing I have options is such a relief. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I moved from Seattle to Phoenix while collecting Washington unemployment benefits about 8 months ago and it was one of the best decisions I made during my job search. The process was incredibly straightforward - I just logged into my online account, updated my address, and continued filing my weekly claims as usual. Washington ESD never questioned it or gave me any issues. The cost of living difference was huge and really took the financial pressure off, which allowed me to be more selective about job opportunities instead of taking the first thing that came along out of desperation. Phoenix has a surprisingly strong tech scene too, and I actually found more networking events and job opportunities than I expected. The key is just being honest about everything - document your job searches in your new location, keep all your records, and don't try to game the system. I found work after about 3 months in Phoenix and the whole experience taught me that the unemployment system is more flexible and reasonable than the horror stories make it seem. Good luck with your move to Portland - it's a great city with lots of opportunities!

Just wanted to add some perspective as someone who works in employment law - employer no-shows at OAH hearings are actually pretty common, especially with large companies like Amazon. They often submit their documentation ahead of time and figure that's sufficient, which can definitely work in your favor. The fact that you were able to clearly articulate the medical necessity aspect without interruption is huge. Judges understand that companies like Amazon have very specific productivity metrics that can be impossible to meet when you're recovering from surgery. The "pivot program" context just reinforces that this wasn't a voluntary quit in the traditional sense. One thing to keep in mind - even if by some chance the initial decision doesn't go your way, the fact that your employer didn't participate in the hearing process could actually strengthen any further appeal you might need to file. Their absence creates a record that they weren't willing to defend their position in person. Stay positive and keep doing what you're doing with the weekly filings. Based on what you've shared, this sounds like a textbook case of good cause separation due to medical limitations. The waiting is awful, but you're in a much better position than you might think!

I'm going through almost the exact same thing right now! Just had my hearing yesterday and my former employer (also a major retailer) was a complete no-show. Like you, I left due to medical issues - I have chronic pain that flared up badly and couldn't handle the physical demands anymore. My judge also didn't give away much during the hearing, but I noticed they asked really detailed questions about my medical condition and whether I tried to get accommodations first. I think that's a good sign that they're taking the medical aspect seriously. The waiting is absolutely torture when you're behind on bills! I've been out of work for 2 months now and burning through what little savings I had. Really hoping both our cases go well - it sounds like we have similar circumstances with the medical issues being the main factor. Did you happen to mention anything about trying to work with HR or asking for accommodations? I'm wondering if that matters for the decision. Keep me posted on what you hear - I'll do the same! We've got this! 🤞

Overall it's definitely worth applying. The worst they can say is no, and if you qualify, it can really help stretch your unemployment benefits further while you're job hunting.

Just wanted to add that if you're struggling to get through to DSHS by phone, you can also visit a local Community Service Office in person. Sometimes it's faster than waiting on hold, and they can help you with the application right there. You can find office locations on the DSHS website. Also, many food banks don't require any paperwork and can help supplement your groceries while you're waiting for SNAP approval - just something to consider as a temporary solution.

I'm in a similar boat as a newer freelancer and this thread has been super eye-opening! I had no idea that 1099 contractors aren't automatically eligible for unemployment benefits. It's honestly pretty scary to think about having zero safety net if work dries up. The advice about keeping detailed records makes total sense - I've been pretty casual about my record-keeping but clearly need to get more organized. And that idea of setting aside 10-15% for a "self-employment insurance fund" is genius. I'm definitely going to start doing that immediately. One question for those more experienced - is it worth looking into getting some part-time W-2 work just to maintain unemployment eligibility? Like maybe a few hours a week at a local business or something? It seems like that might be worth it for the peace of mind, even if the hourly rate is lower than my freelance work. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world info I needed to hear!

As someone who just started freelancing last month, this conversation has been incredibly valuable! I had no clue about the unemployment eligibility issues for 1099 contractors - definitely wish I'd known this before making the jump from my W-2 job. The savings fund idea is something I'm implementing immediately. I'm thinking of opening a high-yield savings account specifically for this and automating the transfers so I don't have to think about it. One thing I'm curious about - for those who've been doing this longer, how do you handle health insurance? I'm still on COBRA from my previous job but that's going to run out eventually. Is there any connection between health insurance options and unemployment eligibility, or are those completely separate issues? Also, does anyone know if there are any professional liability insurance options that include some kind of income protection for contractors? Seems like it might be worth exploring all possible safety nets. Thanks for all the real-world insights - this is exactly the kind of practical advice you don't get in the "start freelancing" articles online!