I was in almost the exact same boat as you last spring - got laid off from my distribution center job due to slow business and spent way too much time worrying about the "right" timing to file. Biggest mistake I made was waiting 5 days because I kept second-guessing myself. There's literally zero advantage to waiting and you're just losing time that could be spent processing your claim. The Washington ESD online system is actually pretty intuitive once you dive in, and since you already have that termination letter with a clear reason (reduction in workforce), you're golden. The whole application took me about 30 minutes and I had my confirmation immediately. File today while everything is fresh in your mind and you have all your paperwork organized. Trust me, you'll sleep better tonight knowing you got it submitted!

I was in your exact situation about 8 months ago - got laid off from my fulfillment center job due to seasonal slowdown and was so worried about filing "too early" that I almost waited a week. Huge mistake! There's absolutely no such thing as filing too early for unemployment in Washington. The sooner you file, the sooner your claim gets into the system and starts processing. I ended up filing the very next day after reading advice similar to what everyone's giving you here, and it was completely smooth. The online application took about 25 minutes, and having that termination letter made everything straightforward. Your situation sounds identical to mine - clear layoff due to business conditions with proper documentation. Don't spend another minute worrying about timing - just file today and get the process started!

UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD today! They said my employer DID actually report wages but there was a mismatch with my SSN in their system (they had a digit wrong). The agent corrected it on the spot and said my claim will update in 24-48 hours with the correct wage information. So for anyone with a similar issue, definitely keep trying to reach them by phone because sometimes it's just a simple error that can be fixed quickly!

So glad you got this resolved! This is such a helpful thread for anyone dealing with similar wage reporting issues. The SSN mismatch situation you described is actually super common - I've seen it happen with friends before where just one transposed digit causes all sorts of problems. For future reference for anyone reading this, it's worth double-checking your SSN is correct in your employer's payroll system when you first start a job. Can save a lot of headaches down the road with unemployment, taxes, and even retirement benefits tracking.

Remember to keep all your records of when you reported your work and when your claim was closed. If Washington ESD ever questions anything later, you'll want documentation of what you reported and when.

Congratulations on the new job! I went through this exact same situation last year. The key thing is to keep filing your weekly claims and report your work status accurately. When you file your next weekly claim, make sure to report your exact start date and any hours/wages earned that week. Washington ESD will automatically adjust your benefits and eventually close your claim once they see you're working full-time consistently. Don't worry about "canceling" - just be honest about your work status and let the system handle the rest. The process is actually pretty straightforward once you know what to do!

I went through a Washington ESD fraud investigation last year and wanted to share some practical tips. First, respond to everything promptly - they give you deadlines for a reason. Second, if you had any legitimate confusion about the rules, gather evidence of that (like emails you sent asking for clarification, or screenshots of confusing website language). Third, calculate your own estimate of any overpayment so you're not surprised by their numbers. The investigation process is slow but they're generally fair if you're upfront about mistakes. In my case, what looked like potential fraud ended up being reclassified as an overpayment because I could document my confusion about the work reporting requirements.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that Washington ESD sometimes offers "compromise settlements" for first-time cases where you can pay a reduced amount to close the investigation. I went through this process two years ago and they offered to settle my $4,200 overpayment for $2,800 if I paid it in full within 30 days. It saved me money in the long run and got the whole thing behind me quickly. Not everyone qualifies but it's worth asking about if you're dealing with a significant amount and can come up with a lump sum payment. The key is having a clean record with no prior fraud issues and showing genuine remorse for the mistakes.

The whole system seems designed to be confusing honestly. Between figuring out benefit amounts, work search requirements, and actually getting through to talk to someone when you have questions, it's like they don't want people to get benefits. At least there are resources now like that Claimyr service to help navigate the phone system.

Bottom line for the original question - your unemployment benefit will probably be somewhere between $300-600 per week based on your wage history. The exact amount depends on your highest earning quarter, but that manufacturing job at $22/hour should qualify you for a decent benefit. File as soon as possible and keep detailed job search records from day one.