As someone who just joined this community after my own recent layoff, I want to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! Logan, thank you so much for sharing your experience and following up with the resolution - that kind of transparency is exactly what people in our situation need. I'm planning to file my claim this weekend and will definitely be using the 8am calling strategy if I run into any issues. It's reassuring to know that even when mistakes happen, ESD can usually fix them relatively quickly once you get through to the right person. The collective wisdom in this thread is amazing - from the detailed explanations about subsequent vs. initial claims, to the practical tips about WorkSource offices and callback features. This is exactly the kind of supportive community that makes dealing with unemployment bureaucracy a little less overwhelming. For anyone else who might be hesitant about filing or worried about making mistakes - this thread is proof that there are solutions and people willing to help. Thanks to everyone who contributed their knowledge and experience here!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really grateful to have found this thread! I was just laid off from my restaurant job yesterday and was feeling pretty overwhelmed about filing for unemployment for the first time. Reading through Logan's experience and seeing how supportive everyone has been is incredibly reassuring. The detailed explanations about subsequent vs. initial claims, the practical tips about calling early, and all the follow-up advice about avoiding common mistakes - this is exactly what someone in my position needs to feel more confident about the process. It's clear this community really understands what people are going through during such a stressful time. I'm planning to file my claim early next week and will definitely keep all this advice in mind. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences here - it makes such a difference knowing there are people willing to help navigate this complicated system!

One more tip - if you're doing regular 1099 work, consider setting up a simple spreadsheet to track your hours and earnings each week. Makes the weekly claim filing much easier.

Just to add another perspective - I've been doing freelance graphic design while on unemployment and one thing that really helped me was calling Washington ESD during off-peak hours (like Tuesday mornings around 8 AM). I was able to get through and confirm exactly how to report project-based 1099 work where the hours aren't as clear-cut as traditional employment. The agent told me to estimate hours based on industry standards for the type of work I'm doing. Also, make sure you understand that if you have a really good week with 1099 income, it might make sense to spread the work across multiple weeks if possible to maximize your combined unemployment + freelance income. The partial benefit system really does help if you plan it right.

Do they deduct 100% of ur freelance earnings from ur benefits? The whole system is so unfair to freelancers!!

Just wanted to add that you should also keep copies of all your invoices and contracts for these freelance projects. ESD may ask for documentation during their periodic reviews, and having everything organized will save you a lot of headaches. I learned this the hard way when they requested records going back 6 months and I had to scramble to find everything. Also, if you're using any business expenses (software, equipment, etc.) for your freelance work, keep those receipts too - you might be able to deduct them when you file taxes, which could help offset some of the reduced unemployment benefits.

Just wanted to add my voice to say hang in there. I know it's scary but you're not alone in this situation. Keep reaching out for help and don't give up on finding something better.

I went through this exact situation about 18 months ago and it was terrifying at first. After my 26 weeks ended, I had to get creative - I started doing gig work (DoorDash, Instacart) to cover immediate expenses while continuing my job search. It's not steady income but it helped bridge the gap. I also applied for emergency rental assistance through my county and got help with utilities through LIHEAP. The key is to apply for multiple forms of assistance at once rather than waiting for one to be approved or denied. It took me about 2 months after benefits ended to find permanent work, but the combination of gig work and assistance programs kept me afloat. Don't be too proud to ask for help - that's what these safety nets are for.

This isnt at all related to your question but make sure you do your 3 job search activities every single week!!! i missed one week and my claim got messed up and took like a month to fix

I went through this exact situation when I was laid off from my tech job in 2023. The key thing to remember is that ESD cares about when you EARNED the money, not when you received it. Your sick pay was earned during your employment period, so even though the check arrived during your claim week, you don't report it for that week. I was paranoid about getting it wrong too, so I kept detailed records of everything - copies of my final paystub, the layoff notice, and I even took screenshots of my bank deposits with dates. When I filed my first weekly claim, I reported $0 for income since I hadn't worked any hours that week, and I never had any issues with ESD about it. The one thing I'd suggest is keeping that final paystub handy in case ESD ever asks for documentation later. But based on everything I experienced and what the handbook says, you're good to report $0 for that claim week.