I went through this exact same situation last month! After hours of searching, I finally found my UI number on the "Notice of Application" letter that came about a week after I first applied. It wasn't labeled very clearly - it was in a section called "Claim Information" and listed as "UI Account Number." The letter itself looked pretty bland and official, so I almost threw it away thinking it was just another government form. If you can't find that specific letter, definitely try the Claimyr service that others mentioned - I've heard good things about it from other people in similar situations. Also, make sure to take a screenshot or photo of your UI number once you find it so you never have to go through this stress again!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! It's so frustrating that Washington ESD doesn't make this information easier to find. Reading through all these suggestions has been really helpful - I had no idea there were so many different places the UI number could be hiding. I'm going to start with searching my emails for "monetary determination" and "unemployment insurance" like someone suggested, then dig through all those official-looking letters I probably didn't read carefully enough. If that doesn't work, I might try the Claimyr service or go to a WorkSource office in person. It's crazy that we have to jump through so many hoops just to access our own benefits! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it makes me feel less alone in this bureaucratic nightmare.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'm going to try calling ESD tomorrow to see if my temp work might qualify me for anything new, and I'll definitely check with WorkSource about emergency assistance programs. Will update if I learn anything that might help others in the same boat. Fingers crossed something works out soon.

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been really helpful. One thing I wanted to add - if you're struggling with basic needs while job searching, don't forget about 211 (dial 2-1-1). They can connect you with local resources for food, utilities, rent assistance, and other emergency help programs that might bridge the gap until you find work. Some of these programs move faster than DSHS and have different eligibility requirements. Also, some churches and community organizations have emergency funds specifically for people transitioning between jobs, even if you're not a member. Worth asking around in your local area.

One thing to remember is that unemployment benefits are taxable, so even if you get 40% of your gross pay, after taxes it might feel like even less. Plan accordingly or elect to have taxes withheld from your benefits.

Based on everyone's experiences shared here, it sounds like Washington's unemployment calculation is more complex than a simple percentage. For someone earning $4,200/month like you, you're probably looking at around 35-40% income replacement, which could be roughly $700-850 per week depending on your quarterly earnings history. The key thing is that Washington uses your highest quarter divided by 26, but caps it at the maximum benefit amount. I'd recommend filing your claim soon since it takes a few weeks to process, and you can always ask specific questions about your calculation once you get your determination letter. Good luck with your job search!

my cousin had this happen and he just called ESD directly and they helped him reopen it right then on the phone. took like 10 mins

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! My contract ended after 8 months and I was able to reopen my claim online without any issues. The key is to make sure you do it RIGHT after your last day of work - don't wait even a few days. I logged into eServices the day after my contract ended, clicked "reopen claim," answered all the questions about why my job ended (I selected "temporary job ended" or something like that), and was back to filing weekly claims within 24 hours. My benefit amount stayed exactly the same as before. The whole process was way less stressful than I thought it would be. Just make sure you have all your contract paperwork handy in case they ask for it later during any review process.

I went through this same confusion last year! The Washington ESD system definitely isn't the most intuitive. Just to add to what others have said - when you file your initial claim online, make sure you have about 30-45 minutes to complete the whole application in one sitting. The system can time out if you take too long, and you might have to start over. Also, double-check all your employment dates and employer information before submitting because it's harder to correct mistakes later. Good luck with your claim!

I was in exactly the same situation when I first tried to file! The Washington ESD website really does make it seem like you need some mysterious "unemployment number" before you can even start. What helped me was realizing that "unemployment number" is just their confusing way of referring to the claim number that gets automatically created when you file. Don't spend time searching for some pre-existing number - just go directly to esd.wa.gov, click "Apply for Benefits," and follow the prompts. The system will generate your claim number during the application process. Save yourself the headache I went through trying to figure out what number they were talking about!