I just went through this exact same thing last month! My claim button disappeared right after I reported some temporary work earnings. I was completely panicked because I had no idea what was happening. Turns out it was just the system doing an automatic review of my reported earnings - took about 4 days for the button to reappear. What really helped me was calling first thing in the morning (like 8:01 AM) when they open - I actually got through after about 30 minutes on hold. The agent explained that when you report earnings for the first time or after a long period without any, it sometimes triggers a brief hold while they verify everything is legitimate. She was able to see the review was already in progress and assured me the button would be back soon. Don't panic if it doesn't come back immediately - as long as your claim status still shows active, you're probably just in a temporary review period. And definitely keep all your documentation from that one-day assignment handy in case they need it!

This happened to me about 2 months ago and I was terrified! I had been filing weekly claims for months without any issues, then one day the button just vanished. Like others mentioned, it turned out to be related to reporting work earnings - I had done some odd jobs and reported them honestly, which apparently triggered an automatic review. What I learned from my experience: the system is actually "working" when this happens, it's just doing a behind-the-scenes check. In my case, it took about 5 days for the button to reappear. The scary part is how the website gives you absolutely NO indication of what's happening - no alerts, no messages, nothing. One thing that might help while you wait: try accessing your account at different times of day. Sometimes I noticed the button would briefly appear during off-peak hours (like early morning or late evening) when their servers weren't as loaded. Worth checking a few times throughout the day just in case! Hang in there - based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like you're in good company and this will likely resolve itself soon. The fact that your claim still shows as active is definitely a positive sign.

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!

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!

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.

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 just wanted to add that the demand for CDL drivers varies quite a bit by region within Washington state. If you're in the Seattle/Tacoma area, there are tons of opportunities with the ports and local delivery companies. But even in smaller cities, most areas have at least some local trucking needs - food service delivery, construction materials, retail distribution, etc. One thing I'd suggest is checking out the Washington State Department of Transportation website - they have some good data on freight movement and transportation jobs that might help when you're talking to your WorkSource counselor. Also, consider getting your TWIC card (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) if you think you might want to work around the ports - it opens up more job opportunities and shows employers you're serious about the field. The whole process takes a few weeks but you can start the application while you're in CDL school. The investment in time really does pay off - I know several people who went from unemployment to steady $50K+ jobs within 6 months of starting this process.

I'm just starting to research this myself after being unemployed for about 3 weeks. Reading through everyone's experiences here is incredibly helpful and gives me a lot of hope! The timeline of 2-3 months from start to finish seems reasonable, and it's encouraging to see so many success stories. I'm particularly interested in the local delivery routes since I have young kids and being home every night is important to me. One thing I'm wondering about - for those who completed the program, how did you handle the income gap during training? Did unemployment benefits continue at the same level while you were in school, or were there any changes? Also, has anyone looked into whether there are any additional endorsements (like hazmat) that are worth getting during the initial training versus adding later? I'm trying to figure out the best strategy to maximize job opportunities once I graduate. Planning to start calling WorkSource on Monday morning - this thread has definitely convinced me this is worth pursuing!

This thread has been so incredibly helpful! I just wanted to add one more resource that saved me when I was having ReliaCard issues - if you're having trouble with both the phone lines AND the online chat, you can also try reaching out to US Bank on Twitter (@USBank) or Facebook. I sent them a direct message explaining my ReliaCard lockout situation and they responded within a few hours with a direct phone number to a specialist who was able to help me immediately. Social media customer service teams often have access to escalation paths that regular phone reps don't. It's not the first thing you'd think to try, but when you're desperate and have exhausted other options, it's worth a shot! They'll ask you to provide your card details through a secure method, but it worked great for me when I was completely stuck.

This entire thread is like a masterclass in dealing with ReliaCard issues! As someone who just started receiving unemployment benefits last month, I wish I had found this conversation earlier. I went through the exact same lockout frustration that @Naila Gordon described, but I made the mistake of trying to reset my PIN multiple times which probably made the security flags even worse. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm realizing I should have tried the online chat option first instead of spending hours on hold. For anyone else dealing with this - definitely follow the systematic approach that @Alberto Souchard outlined: chat first, then early morning calls, then try the silent treatment with the automated system. And knowing that WorkSource offices can help with direct connections is a game-changer! This community support makes dealing with these bureaucratic systems so much more manageable.