ppl forget that state law says a job has to be "suitable" not just any random job!! my case worker told me its not just about wages its also about hours and distance and if it matches ur skills. dont let them bully u into taking something way below ur worth!

Based on everything in this thread, I think your best approach is to: 1. Document the offer completely 2. Report it accurately on your weekly claim 3. Be prepared to explain specifically why it doesn't meet the 80% threshold at your current stage 4. Try to speak directly with an ESD representative for clarity (using Claimyr or other means to get through) 5. Continue your job search efforts at the same or increased intensity The system is designed to help people find suitable employment, not force them into jobs that represent a major regression in their career or financial stability. Just make sure you follow all the proper procedures so your benefits remain protected.

My severance was reported by my employer automatically so I didn't have to do anything. Maybe yours will too? the whole system is a mess honestly.

Update: I reported my severance as a lump sum for the week I received it. ESD sent me a determination letter saying I won't receive benefits for 12 weeks (matching my severance period). The letter says I should continue filing weekly claims during this time so benefits can start automatically once the severance period ends. Thanks everyone for your help!

one thing nobody mentioned - if u hav a disability (even temporary) u might qualify for paid family & medical leave. not technically unemployment but it can give u some income. also food banks are everywhere now and they usually dont ask many questions. better than nothing when ur desperate

Based on the timeline you mentioned, it sounds like you need both immediate assistance and longer-term solutions. Here's what I suggest: 1. Apply for Basic Food benefits today (online through Washington Connection) 2. Contact your local WorkSource office tomorrow about Training Benefits 3. Apply for rental assistance through your county's housing authority 4. Consider part-time or gig work to supplement income while job hunting 5. Check if your profession qualifies for any specialized placement services Also, make sure you're claiming your final two weeks properly. Any mistakes could delay your final payments. Keep detailed records of all your job search activities in case you need them for future benefit eligibility.

Quick update: I received my first payment today! It included all back payments from when I first filed. Such a relief to finally have that money coming in while I continue my job search. The escalation through WorkSource definitely made the difference.

One thing to watch out for: I had a similar situation where my claim was stuck for weeks, then suddenly got approved and paid... only to get an overpayment notice 2 months later because they said they made a mistake! Make sure you don't spend all the back pay immediately if you can help it. Set some aside in case ESD comes back with "oops we didn't mean to pay you that much." Happened to me and several others I know.

my sister in law had this problem too!!! she ended up having to go to the worksource office in person and they printed it for her. might be worth a try if the online stuff doesnt work

Let me add my experience to the mix - I actually got my 1099-G form in the mail but the online version was nowhere to be found, which made me wonder if they were the same! After spending an entire afternoon trying to figure this out, I called ESD (took forever to get through) and they told me there was a known glitch with the online system where some people could see their forms and others couldn't. They said they're working on fixing it but no timeline was given. Typical. When I asked about what happens if someone never received the mail version, they just said to call and request a new one. But of course you can't get through on the phone! It's a perfect catch-22. The whole unemployment system is designed to be as frustrating as possible, I swear.

Quick update on my earlier comment - I should clarify that while the waiting week status is generally a positive sign, the official approval comes in the form of a determination letter. Since you were laid off (not fired for cause or quit), your claim should be straightforward and likely to be approved.\n\nThe ESD system in 2025 is better than it was during the pandemic years, but there are still delays and glitches. The most important thing right now is to:\n\n1. Continue filing your weekly claims on time\n2. Complete your 3 job search activities each week\n3. Document everything in your WorkSource job search log\n4. Check your online account daily for new letters\n\nIf you haven't seen any determination by the time you file your second weekly claim, then I would recommend trying to contact ESD directly.

Thanks for the additional info! I'll keep filing and documenting everything carefully. If I don't see anything definitive by my second claim, I'll try to contact them directly. Really appreciate all the help!

My sister had a hearing last month about her benefits. Don't stress too much! She said the judge was actually really nice and just wanted to understand the situation better. She's still getting her benefits no problem. I think sometimes they just do these hearings as a formality tbh.

Thank you all so much for the advice! I'm feeling much more prepared now. I'm going to gather all my documentation tonight, especially around the position elimination, and be ready to calmly explain what happened. I'll update this thread after the hearing to let you know how it went!

have u tried contacting ur state representative? my sister was stuck waiting for 6 weeks on an appeal and she called her state rep's office. they have special liasons who can sometimes help speed things up with esd. worth a shot maybe

I was getting nowhere with ESD for weeks trying to resolve my claim issues. Busy signals, disconnects, full voicemail boxes - it was infuriating! Then someone on this forum recommended Claimyr.com and it actually worked. They got me connected to an ESD agent in about 40 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks with no success. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Might be worth trying while you're waiting for the OAH process. Sometimes getting through to the right ESD person can resolve things before they even get to a hearing.

is there any downside to getting split payments? like does it mean were getting flagged for something?? now im paranoid lol

Personally had this happen 4-5 times over the last year on my claim. Sometimes it's when they're processing retroactive payments or adjustments, other times it just seems random. One thing I noticed is it seems to happen more often when my weekly claim is processed on a Monday rather than Sunday.

my cousin works at WorkSource and she says they cant help with phoning ESD either. whole system is broken

UPDATE: I tried Claimyr that someone mentioned above when I had the same problem last week. It actually did work - got connected to an agent after about 90 minutes. Just sharing in case you're still struggling to get through after trying the early morning calls. The video explains how it works pretty clearly. Also, the state representative suggestion is solid advice for claims stuck in adjudication for extended periods.