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I went through something really similar about 6 months ago! Got fired during my probation period after missing work for a medical emergency (had all the documentation too). It's frustrating but unfortunately pretty common. The silver lining is that ESD was actually pretty reasonable about it. I applied online the same day I got fired, made sure to explain everything clearly in the application, and got approved without any issues. The whole process took about 3 weeks from application to first payment. My advice: apply TODAY if you haven't already. Don't wait around thinking about it because there's a waiting week anyway. And definitely keep copies of all your medical documentation - I uploaded mine through the eServices portal and I think it helped show I had a legitimate reason for the absence. Also, start your job search immediately even while waiting for approval. The 3 weekly activities add up fast and you don't want to fall behind on that requirement. You got this!
That's really encouraging to hear from someone who went through the exact same situation! Three weeks from application to first payment sounds pretty reasonable. Did you have any issues with your employer contesting the claim, or did it go through smoothly without any pushback from them?
I'm so sorry this happened to you! Getting fired while you're sick with proper documentation is such a gut punch, especially during probation when you're already feeling vulnerable at a new job. From what I've seen in similar cases, you should definitely qualify for ESD benefits since you had legitimate medical documentation and weren't terminated for misconduct. The fact that you followed proper call-in procedures and have text message proof is huge in your favor. A few things that might help when you apply: - Make sure to select "discharged" not "laid off" when they ask about separation reason - In the explanation box, be very clear that you were terminated specifically for medically documented sick leave - Upload that doctor's note if possible - it's your strongest piece of evidence Also, don't be discouraged if your employer tries to contest it. Companies sometimes do this automatically, but ESD adjudicators are pretty good at seeing through bogus "attendance issue" claims when someone was legitimately sick with documentation. You've got strong grounds for approval. Apply as soon as you can and keep your chin up - this wasn't your fault!
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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!
You've summarized it perfectly! I was in the same boat a few months ago - really nervous about doing anything that might jeopardize my benefits. But after reading threads like this and talking to people who've actually done it, I realized I was overthinking it. The plasma donation process is pretty straightforward too - just make sure you have all your documents ready for the first visit and don't be afraid to ask questions. The staff at these centers are used to dealing with people in tough financial situations and they're generally pretty understanding. Hope it works out for you!
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!
This is exactly the kind of detailed info I was looking for! The tip about calling different centers to compare rates is brilliant - I hadn't thought of that. I'm curious about the screening process - how long did it take for your first visit? And did they ask any questions about your employment status or income sources? I'm planning to go next week but want to be prepared for what to expect. Also really appreciate the reminder about using the time productively for job searching - that's actually a great way to think about it!
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I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago after my company had layoffs. Since you mentioned it was a company downsize with multiple people laid off, that should actually work in your favor - Washington ESD processes those types of claims faster because the reason for unemployment is very clear. My timeline was almost exactly 3 weeks from application to first payment. The hardest part is definitely that waiting period when you're checking the website every day and it just says "under review." One thing that helped me was setting up direct deposit if you haven't already - it made the first payment come through faster once approved. Also, make sure you're documenting any job search activities you're doing now, even before approval, because you'll need that information once benefits start. The system is definitely slow but it does work eventually!
That's really encouraging to hear from someone who went through the same situation! I definitely feel better knowing that company downsizes typically get processed faster since the reason is so clear-cut. I should probably set up direct deposit like you suggested - I didn't think about that making the payment faster once approved. And good point about documenting job search activities now, even though I'm not officially required to do them yet. Three weeks seems to be the magic number that keeps coming up in everyone's experiences. Thanks for the reassurance that the system does work, even if it's painfully slow!
I'm going through the same waiting process right now - applied about 10 days ago after being laid off from my retail job. Reading through all these experiences is both reassuring and nerve-wracking! It sounds like the 2-4 week timeline is pretty consistent for most people, though it's frustrating how little communication there is during the process. I've been filing my weekly claims like everyone recommends, even though it feels weird claiming benefits when I don't know if I'm approved yet. The financial anxiety is definitely real - I've been picking up some gig work just to have something coming in while I wait. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and experiences here, it really helps to know what to expect!
You're definitely not alone in this process! I'm also waiting for my unemployment claim to be approved and the lack of communication from Washington ESD is really frustrating. It's smart that you're picking up gig work in the meantime - I've been considering doing the same thing just to have some income while waiting. The financial stress is no joke when you're used to regular paychecks. From everything I've read in this thread, it sounds like we just have to be patient and keep filing those weekly claims. Hopefully we'll both hear something positive soon!
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Just went through something similar a few months back! I live in WA but had a short stint working in Oregon before getting temporarily laid off. Here's what worked for me: Since you were previously receiving WA unemployment benefits and only worked in Oregon for 2 weeks, you should definitely reopen your Washington claim rather than filing a new one in Oregon. You haven't built up enough wage credits in Oregon to qualify there anyway. The standby status is perfect for your situation - 2 weeks is well under the 8-week limit, and having that definite 3/31 return date is key. When you reopen your claim online, make sure to: 1. Report your Oregon wages accurately (have your paystubs ready) 2. List the temporary layoff reason 3. Enter your exact return-to-work date 4. When filing weekly claims, select "on standby" instead of doing job searches One heads up - the system might flag your claim for review since you worked out of state, which could delay your first payment by a week or two while they verify everything. But as long as you have that email confirmation from your supervisor about the layoff and return date, you should be fine. Good luck getting through to ESD if you need to call - it's still a nightmare but worth it for peace of mind on cross-state situations like this!
Thanks for sharing your experience! It's really helpful to hear from someone who actually went through this exact situation. The part about the system potentially flagging the claim for review is something I hadn't considered - good to know it might delay the first payment but shouldn't be a major issue with proper documentation. I'm feeling much more confident about reopening my WA claim now instead of trying to figure out Oregon's system for just 2 weeks of work. Hopefully the online process goes smoothly and I can avoid the ESD phone maze!
Hey there! I'm pretty new to this whole unemployment thing, but I just wanted to say how helpful this thread has been. I'm not dealing with cross-state work like you are, but reading through everyone's responses about standby status and reopening claims has been really educational. It sounds like you've gotten some solid advice here - especially about making sure you have that documentation from your Oregon employer about the layoff and return date. I had no idea that working out of state for just a couple weeks could make things so complicated! From what I'm reading, it seems like reopening your Washington claim is definitely the way to go since you only worked in Oregon for such a short time. The standby status sounds perfect for your 2-week temporary layoff situation too. Hope everything works out smoothly for you and you can avoid having to spend hours trying to get through to ESD on the phone. Keep us posted on how it goes - I'm sure other people will run into similar situations and your experience could help them out!
Rami Samuels
Yes, interviews definitely count as job search activities! Applications, interviews, attending job fairs, and even certain WorkSource workshops all qualify. For your medical appointments - you can request a temporary exemption from job search requirements due to illness by indicating this on your weekly claim. You may need to provide documentation, but ESD can approve temporary exemptions when you have valid reasons like medical treatment.
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Paolo Longo
I'm sorry you're going through this - it sounds incredibly stressful to deal with health issues AND job loss at the same time. From what you've described, you definitely have grounds for an unemployment claim. The fact that you documented everything and that your employer initially agreed to accommodations works in your favor. A few things that might help: - When you apply, be very detailed about the timeline - when you disclosed your condition, what accommodations were discussed, when you filed the HR complaint, and when you were terminated - Keep copies of ALL your medical documentation, emails about accommodations, and any records of the HR complaint - The hostile work environment aspect is important too - if you have any witnesses to the supervisor's behavior or written evidence, keep that handy I've seen similar cases where people were initially denied but won on appeal. The key is showing that your termination was related to your protected medical condition or retaliation for the HR complaint, not legitimate misconduct. Don't get discouraged if it takes time - the system is designed to investigate thoroughly when there are competing claims about the reason for termination. Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions as you go through the process!
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