This is such a comprehensive thread! I've been hesitating about plasma donation for weeks but reading everyone's experiences really helps. It sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) Plasma donation isn't considered employment income by Washington ESD, 2) No need to report it on weekly claims, 3) Keep documentation just in case, and 4) Make sure to maintain good health with proper nutrition. I'm definitely going to look into local centers now. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - it makes such a difference when you're trying to navigate unemployment and need every bit of help you can get!

Just wanted to add my experience - I've been donating plasma for about 3 months while on unemployment and it's been a lifesaver. The extra $300-400 per month has really helped with bills and groceries. What I found helpful was calling ahead to different centers to compare their compensation rates and new donor bonuses. Some places offer up to $100 for your first few donations. Also, if you have any medical conditions or take medications, make sure to ask about eligibility during the screening - they're pretty thorough about what disqualifies you. The actual donation process is pretty relaxing once you get used to it, and most centers have wifi so you can catch up on shows or job searching while you're there. Definitely recommend keeping a simple log of dates and amounts like others mentioned - I use a notes app on my phone. Good luck with your job search and hope this helps bridge the gap financially!

Just wanted to add - make sure you have a quiet space and stable internet connection when you file. The application can take 30-45 minutes and you don't want to get kicked out halfway through due to connectivity issues. Also, try to file during off-peak hours (early morning or evening) when their servers are less likely to be overloaded. I learned this the hard way after getting timed out twice during busy afternoon hours!

I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago and I totally understand how overwhelming it feels! Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: gather ALL your employment info before you even start the application - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, wages, and reason for leaving for the past 18 months. Having everything organized in front of you makes the process so much smoother. Also, don't stress too much about getting every single detail perfect - you can always provide clarifications later if needed. The most important thing is just getting that initial claim filed ASAP since your benefit week starts when you file, not when you lost your job. You've got this!

I had almost the exact same situation happen to me! Applied to Amazon for a warehouse position in January, got rejected, then saw they posted basically the same role again a few weeks later. I was nervous about applying again but decided to go for it and counted it as one of my job search activities. When I had my quarterly review call with ESD, they actually complimented me on being persistent with employers that matched my qualifications and location needs. The key thing that helped me was being super detailed in my job search log - I included the different job posting numbers, exact dates, and even noted in the comments section that it was a reapplication to show I wasn't trying to double-count anything. Amazon's hiring process is honestly pretty random from what I've experienced, so don't let that first rejection discourage you. I ended up getting an interview for the second application (still waiting to hear back), but the point is it was definitely worth trying again!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm in almost the exact same boat - applied to Amazon for a fulfillment center position last month, got the standard rejection email, and just saw they posted a new opening for a similar role. I was worried about whether I could count it as a job search activity since it's the same company, but reading everyone's experiences here has been super reassuring. It sounds like as long as I'm applying to a genuinely different posting (which this is - different job ID and posting date), document everything thoroughly, and make sure I note it's a reapplication in my job search log, I should be totally fine. The advice about including job reference numbers and exact position titles is really helpful too. I'm definitely going to apply - Amazon is one of the few places near me that pays decent wages for warehouse work and has benefits. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge and experiences!

I went through this exact same dilemma last year! Ended up keeping everything for 4 years after reading horror stories online about people getting audited. I bought a couple of those accordion file folders and organized everything by claim year, then by document type (job search logs, weekly confirmations, correspondence, etc.). Takes up way less space than loose papers everywhere. Pro tip: if you have a scanner or even just use your phone camera, creating digital backups gives you extra peace of mind in case something happens to the physical copies. The 4-year rule seems to be the consensus from everyone I've talked to who's dealt with Washington ESD long-term.

I just went through this same cleanup process last month! After reading through Washington ESD's official guidance and talking to a few people who've been through audits, I decided on keeping everything for 5 years just to be extra safe. The way I organized it was pretty simple - got a banker's box for each year and divided everything into manila folders: "Job Search Activities," "Weekly Claim Confirmations," "ESD Correspondence," "Payment Records," and "Miscellaneous." I also created a simple spreadsheet listing what's in each folder and the date ranges, which helps me find stuff quickly. The peace of mind is worth the storage space, especially after hearing about people getting hit with overpayment demands years later. One thing I learned is to keep any documents related to appeals or disputes permanently - apparently those can be referenced even longer than regular claim records.

I'm currently going through this same situation and this thread has been incredibly valuable! My PFML application has been pending for about 10 days now and I was starting to panic about whether I needed to file weekly claims like with regular unemployment. After reading everyone's experiences, I feel so much more informed about the process. I've already checked my spam folder (found nothing yet but will keep monitoring), and I'm planning to call 833-717-2273 first thing Monday morning at 8am sharp. It's really reassuring to know that the backpay will cover the entire period once approved, and that these delays seem unfortunately common but not necessarily a sign that something is wrong. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips - it's so helpful to have this community support when dealing with confusing government processes during an already stressful time with a new baby!

Just wanted to add my experience from going through PFML approval last month! I was also super confused about the weekly claims thing at first - it's so different from regular unemployment. My application took exactly 16 days to get approved, and like others mentioned, I didn't need to file any weekly claims during the waiting period. The most important thing I learned was to keep checking both your email AND the PFML portal daily, because sometimes status updates appear in the portal before you get an email notification. Also, if you do end up calling 833-717-2273, try to have all your documents ready to reference - they might ask about specific dates or employer information on the spot. The wait is definitely nerve-wracking when you're dealing with a new baby and need that income, but try not to stress too much if it's only been 2 weeks. That seems pretty normal based on what I'm seeing here. Once you do get approved, the backpay process was actually really smooth for me - got direct deposit within about 5 business days of approval.