I don't think they have a specific format requirement. As long as you can show the date, employer, position, and method of contact you should be good. The spreadsheet approach mentioned earlier covers all the bases.

Just wanted to add that I've found it helpful to take screenshots of the "thank you for applying" pages even when they don't send confirmation emails. Also, if you're networking on social media like LinkedIn or Facebook job groups, screenshot those conversations too. I learned this when Washington ESD asked me about a connection I made through a Facebook group and I almost couldn't prove it happened. Now I document everything, even informal networking conversations that might lead to opportunities later.

I'm about 8 days into waiting after filing my claim following a layoff from my healthcare support job. This entire thread has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! I was definitely getting anxious seeing "processing" status every day, but reading everyone's real experiences shows that's completely normal within the 2-3 week timeline. I've been diligently filing my weekly claims even though nothing's approved yet, and I made sure to set up direct deposit from day one. Already completed my WorkSource registration after seeing all the great advice about getting that done early. It's really encouraging to see Walt's update about getting approved in just 10 days with "active" status - gives me hope that mine might move along soon too! The specific timelines and practical tips from people who've actually been through this process are so much more valuable than the vague official information. Thanks to everyone for creating such a supportive community around this stressful experience!

I'm about 13 days into waiting after being laid off from my tech support job, and this discussion has been absolutely incredible for managing my anxiety about the process! I was definitely one of those people obsessively checking the website multiple times a day seeing "processing" status, but reading everyone's real experiences here shows that's totally normal for the 2-3 week timeline. I've been religiously filing my weekly claims even though nothing's approved yet - that seems to be the most critical piece based on what everyone keeps emphasizing. Got my direct deposit set up from day one and already knocked out my WorkSource registration after seeing all the advice about doing that proactively. Walt's recent update about getting "active" status in 10 days is really encouraging and shows some claims do move faster than the typical range! The practical tips and realistic timelines from people who've actually been through this are infinitely more helpful than anything on the official ESD website. Thanks to this whole community for sharing your experiences - it's made this stressful waiting period so much more manageable knowing others have walked this exact path successfully!

Henry, congratulations on the new job! I just went through this same process a few weeks ago and wanted to add one thing that really helped me feel more confident. After I filed my weekly claim reporting the new job start date, I called the Washington ESD customer service line just to confirm they had processed everything correctly. Even though it meant waiting on hold for a while, the representative was able to confirm that my benefits would stop as expected and that I had reported everything properly. It gave me such peace of mind knowing that a real person had verified my information was processed correctly. If you have time before your first day of work, it might be worth making that call just for the extra confirmation. The process really is straightforward when you report everything honestly and on time. Best of luck with your new position!

Congratulations on the new job Henry! Just wanted to add one more thing that saved me some hassle when I went through this process - make sure to note down your exact last day of receiving benefits for your own records. When I transitioned off unemployment last year, I kept a simple log with the date I reported starting work and the last benefit payment I received. This came in handy months later when I was doing my taxes and needed to verify the exact period I was on unemployment. Also, if you ever need to reference your benefit history for any reason (loan applications, background checks, etc.), having those dates written down makes everything much easier. The 1099-G form will have the official totals, but having your own record of the transition dates is really helpful. Wishing you all the best with the new position!

I'm in a similar situation with my LLC that I elected to tax as an S corp. I've been following this thread and it's really helpful to see all the different perspectives. From what I'm gathering, the key seems to be having that clear employee-employer relationship documented, even when you're the owner. Ali, have you considered reaching out to a local SCORE mentor or small business attorney? They might be able to help you prepare your documentation package before you apply. Also, I'd definitely recommend keeping detailed records of when you stopped all business activities - dates, emails to clients about closure, etc. That timeline could be crucial if they question your separation from work. Good luck with your application!

I went through this exact situation with my S corp about 6 months ago and successfully received benefits. Here's what I learned: First, apply immediately - don't wait any longer while you're gathering documentation. You can always submit additional paperwork during the review process. Second, make sure you have your corporate resolutions documenting the layoff/business closure. I had to draft a board resolution showing the decision to cease operations and lay off all employees (including myself). Third, be prepared for the adjudication interview - they'll ask detailed questions about your day-to-day role, how decisions were made, and whether you truly functioned as an employee despite ownership. The fact that you've been paying W-2 wages and unemployment taxes for 18 months puts you in a good position. Your 60% ownership will definitely be scrutinized, but it's not an automatic disqualification. They're looking for whether you had genuine employer-employee relationship characteristics like set hours, defined duties, and limited control over employment terms. Document everything and be completely transparent in your application. The process took about 7 weeks for me but I received full back pay once approved.

This is such a valuable thread! As someone who's new to unemployment benefits, I had no idea how complex the reporting requirements could be. The distinction between regular income and retirement distributions is something I never would have thought about. It's really eye-opening to see how missing just one weekly claim can have such serious consequences - that definitely wasn't clear in any of the materials I received when I first applied. Thank you to everyone who shared their actual experiences, especially the OP for taking the time to call ESD and report back with the official answer. This kind of real-world information is so much more helpful than trying to interpret the confusing official guidelines on your own. I'm definitely going to be extra cautious about filing every week now, regardless of whether I expect to receive benefits!

As someone who just started collecting unemployment benefits last week, this entire discussion has been absolutely invaluable! I had no clue about any of these nuances around weekly claim filing. The fact that missing even one week can suspend your entire claim is honestly terrifying - and like everyone else has mentioned, this definitely wasn't made clear in any of the initial paperwork or orientation materials. I was actually in a similar situation where I was considering skipping a week due to some freelance income I received, but after reading through all these experiences, I'm definitely going to file every single week no matter what. The distinction between regular wages and retirement distributions is also something I never would have known about. Thank you so much to the OP for actually calling ESD and sharing the official response, and to everyone else who shared their real experiences (both good and bad). This kind of practical, real-world information is exactly what people need when navigating this confusing system!