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I'm also on H4 with EAD and was recently laid off, so this thread is incredibly timely for me! Reading through everyone's experiences has been so helpful. One question I haven't seen addressed - did anyone have issues if their employer didn't properly report their work authorization status to Washington ESD? I'm wondering if I should contact my former HR department to make sure they have my EAD information on file before I submit my claim. Also, has anyone dealt with a situation where their EAD renewal is pending while collecting benefits? My current EAD expires in a few months and I'm worried about timing.
Great questions! I actually went through the EAD renewal situation while on unemployment. Washington ESD was really understanding about it - I just had to provide documentation that my renewal was pending and show my receipt notice from USCIS. They continued my benefits without interruption as long as I could prove the renewal was filed before expiration. As for the employer reporting, I don't think you need to worry too much about that - Washington ESD primarily looks at your wage records and work authorization documents that you provide directly. But it wouldn't hurt to double-check with HR if you're concerned. The most important thing is having your own documentation ready when you file.
I'm currently on H4 EAD and this thread has been incredibly informative! One thing I wanted to add from my research is that it's worth keeping copies of all your employment documents (offer letters, paystubs, termination notice) along with your EAD documentation. I've heard that sometimes Washington ESD may ask for additional proof that you were legally authorized to work during your entire employment period, especially if there were any gaps or if you started working shortly after getting your EAD. Also, make sure your Social Security Administration records are up to date with your work authorization - sometimes there can be discrepancies that cause delays in benefit processing. Has anyone experienced issues with SSA records not matching their EAD status when filing for unemployment?
I've been working seasonal jobs at a Christmas tree farm and summer farmers markets for the past two years, and I can confirm that Washington ESD absolutely allows seasonal workers to collect unemployment benefits! The key thing that helped me was keeping detailed records of my employment dates and wages. When I first filed, I was worried they'd deny me because the work is predictably seasonal, but the ESD representative I spoke to (through claimyr.com actually - saved me hours of phone calls) explained that seasonal unemployment is different from voluntary unemployment. As long as you're laid off due to lack of work and not because you chose to quit, you're eligible. My advice is to file immediately when your season ends, be completely honest about your work pattern, and don't let employers discourage you from applying. You pay into the unemployment system through your wages, so you've earned the right to use it during your off-season periods. The peace of mind during those gap months is worth the effort of filing and maintaining your weekly claims.
This is such great advice about keeping detailed records! I'm just starting out with seasonal work and hadn't thought about documenting everything so carefully. Your point about seasonal unemployment being different from voluntary unemployment is really important - I think a lot of people get confused about that distinction. It's encouraging to hear from someone who's successfully navigated the system for multiple seasons. I'm definitely going to start keeping better records of my employment dates and wages from day one. Thanks for sharing your experience with both the tree farm and farmers market work - it shows that even shorter seasonal gigs can qualify for benefits as long as you meet the earnings requirements!
I've been working seasonal construction for the past 6 years - road crews in summer, snow plowing in winter - and I can definitely confirm that seasonal workers are eligible for unemployment benefits in Washington! The trick is understanding that there's often a gap between seasons where you're legitimately unemployed. I typically have 2-3 weeks between my road crew ending and snow plow contracts starting, plus another gap in spring. Washington ESD has always approved my claims during these transition periods. The key things that helped me: 1) Keep all your pay stubs and employment contracts showing the seasonal nature of the work, 2) File immediately when you're laid off - don't wait, 3) Be prepared to explain your work pattern if they have questions, and 4) Stay on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements. I usually look for other seasonal positions or temp work during the gaps. One year I actually picked up some holiday retail work during my winter gap which worked out great. Don't let anyone tell you seasonal workers don't deserve unemployment - you pay into the system and have every right to use it when you need it!
I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been really helpful. One thing I wanted to add - if you do decide to quit for good cause, make sure you keep copies of ALL your documentation in a safe place outside of work. Don't rely on company systems or email accounts that might get cut off after you quit. I learned this the hard way when I couldn't access some important emails after leaving my toxic job. Print everything out or save it to your personal accounts before you make your move.
This is such valuable advice about backing up documentation! I'm dealing with a similar toxic supervisor situation and hadn't thought about the access issue. I've been keeping notes but most of my evidence is in work emails. I'm going to start forwarding important messages to my personal account and printing out key documentation this week. It's scary to think about taking this step, but reading everyone's experiences here gives me hope that it's possible to get approved for good cause if you have solid evidence. Thank you all for sharing your stories - it really helps to know I'm not alone in this.
You're absolutely right about backing up everything! I made the same mistake early on - kept all my documentation on my work computer thinking I'd have time to gather it later. When things got really bad with my supervisor, I ended up having to quit suddenly and lost access to months of email evidence. Now I tell everyone to start building their personal file from day one. Also, if you can get any coworkers to be potential witnesses, make sure you have their personal contact info too, not just work numbers. The isolation these toxic managers create is real, but having your evidence secured gives you so much more confidence when dealing with Washington ESD's investigation process.
Update: I called Nevada DETR this morning (took forever to get through) and finally spoke with an agent who confirmed what you all said - I can potentially use those wages for a Nevada claim after my WA benefit year expires in March! She said my two quarters should be enough to qualify for at least a minimal benefit. She also mentioned I'll need to provide proof that those wages weren't used in my WA monetary determination. Thanks everyone for the guidance!
Congrats on getting through to Nevada DETR and getting confirmation! That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. Just a heads up - when you do file in March, make sure you have your WA monetary determination letter handy that shows which wages were actually used in calculating your benefits. Nevada will likely want to see that documentation to verify that your NV wages weren't part of the calculation. Also, don't be surprised if there's some back-and-forth between the states to verify everything - interstate claims can take a bit longer to process, but you're definitely on the right track now!
That's really solid advice about having the WA monetary determination letter ready! I hadn't thought about the back-and-forth between states potentially slowing things down, but that makes total sense. I'll make sure to file right after my benefit year expires in March and have all my documentation organized. Thanks for the heads up about the processing time - at least now I know what to expect!
Taylor To
I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim 2 weeks ago after getting laid off from my warehouse job, and it's been stuck in adjudication ever since. The uncertainty is killing me - I keep checking my account multiple times a day hoping something will change. Reading everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and terrifying at the same time. At least I know I'm not alone in this mess. I've been keeping up with my weekly claims like everyone suggests, but the financial stress is really getting to me. Has anyone found that certain types of layoffs get processed faster than others? I'm wondering if construction industry layoffs might take longer to verify since they're so common with seasonal work patterns.
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Chloe Harris
•I'm going through the same nightmare! Filed 3 weeks ago and still stuck in adjudication with zero information about what they're even looking at. The daily account checking is becoming obsessive for me too - I totally get that. From what I'm reading here, it doesn't seem like industry type makes much difference in processing time, unfortunately. Construction, warehouse, restaurant - we're all stuck in the same black hole waiting game. The financial stress is unbearable when you have no idea if it'll be 1 more week or 2 more months. At least we can suffer together while ESD takes their sweet time with whatever mysterious investigation they're doing!
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Charlie Yang
I'm currently dealing with adjudication too - going on 2 weeks now after being laid off from my retail job. What's driving me crazy is that there's literally no transparency in the process. Like, would it kill them to send an email saying "we're reviewing X and it typically takes Y weeks"? Instead we're all left refreshing our accounts obsessively and spiraling about finances. I've started keeping a daily log of my job search activities and any ESD-related calls/emails just in case they ask for documentation later. Also setting aside money for a possible overpayment situation - I've heard horror stories about people getting huge bills if there are errors. This whole system feels designed to make people give up before they get benefits. Solidarity with everyone stuck in this limbo!
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