As someone who's been through the Washington ESD weekly claim process for several months now, I wanted to add a few things that might help newcomers. First, don't stress if your first payment is delayed - it's totally normal while they verify everything. Second, if you're doing any kind of side work (even selling stuff online), report it honestly. I made the mistake of not reporting some small eBay sales early on and it caused issues later. Also, bookmark the weekly claim page in your browser so you don't have to navigate through the whole SAW portal each time. And one last tip - if you ever get an overpayment notice, don't ignore it! Address it immediately because the penalties add up fast. The system definitely has its quirks but once you get the hang of it, it becomes pretty routine.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I just started collecting unemployment after being laid off from my retail job and was really nervous about filing my first weekly claim. Everyone's advice about being honest with work hours and keeping good records makes total sense. I do have one question though - if I pick up a short shift at a temp agency during the week, do I report that as regular employment or is there something different about temp work? Also, I noticed someone mentioned that Washington ESD has different payment schedules based on your last name - mine starts with "M" so I'm curious when I should expect to see payments. Thanks again to everyone for sharing their experiences, this is way more helpful than trying to decipher the official ESD website!

Just wanted to follow up: did you manage to file your weekly claim? If you're still having issues, make sure you're calling during the correct timeframe (Sunday-Friday, 8am-4pm) and that you haven't missed your filing deadline. Each week has a specific window when you can file.

So glad you got it sorted out! For anyone else reading this thread - I work at a local workforce center and we've been getting a lot of calls about this exact issue. The ESD phone system changes seem to be causing confusion for a lot of people. If you're still having trouble after trying all the suggestions here, you can also visit your local WorkSource office and they can help you file your weekly claim in person. Most offices are open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. Just bring your SSN and any documents related to your claim.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about taking this contract work now. I'll report everything properly and keep good records. Sounds like as long as I'm honest about it, I should be fine.

Just wanted to add my experience - I've been doing occasional freelance web development while on unemployment for the past few months. The key thing I learned is to be super precise about the dates when you actually performed the work vs when you got paid. I had one project where I worked 3 days in one week and 2 days the following week, but got paid in a lump sum later. I reported the earnings proportionally across those specific days I worked ($300 for week 1, $200 for week 2) and it went smoothly. Also keep detailed time logs if possible - Washington ESD appreciates when you can show exactly how you calculated your weekly earnings breakdown.

This has been such a helpful discussion to read through! I'm currently employed but work in a pretty volatile industry, so it's really reassuring to know that Washington doesn't put arbitrary limits on unemployment filings. The collective wisdom here about keeping detailed employment records, preparing for identity verification, and having backup contact methods like Claimyr is exactly the kind of practical advice that makes all the difference when you're actually dealing with these situations. It's also encouraging to see how supportive this community is - people sharing their real experiences, both good and frustrating, gives such a better picture than just reading the official ESD website. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their knowledge!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm currently employed but always worry about job security in today's economy, so learning that Washington state doesn't put lifetime limits on unemployment claims is really reassuring. What strikes me most is the quality of advice everyone has shared - from the practical tips about keeping employment documents organized to the heads-up about identity verification requirements and the Claimyr service for reaching ESD. It's clear that many of you have navigated this process multiple times and are willing to share the real insider knowledge that makes all the difference. This kind of community support is exactly what makes these forums valuable - getting honest, experience-based advice rather than just official policy summaries. Thanks to everyone for creating such a comprehensive resource that I'll definitely reference if I ever find myself in a similar situation!

Don't forget to check if your hearing is scheduled during regular business hours or if they offer evening/weekend slots. I had to request a different time because of work conflicts, and they were accommodating. Also, make sure you have a backup phone number in case they can't reach you on your primary line - missing the call means you automatically lose. Write down the hearing number and keep it handy during the call so you can reference it if needed.

I've been through the Washington ESD appeal process and wanted to add a few more tips that really helped me. First, if you're feeling overwhelmed by the legal aspects, many local legal aid organizations offer free consultations for unemployment cases - even just 30 minutes can help you understand your rights better. Second, practice staying calm if your former employer says things that aren't true during their testimony. You'll get your chance to respond, so don't interrupt. Third, if you have any documentation showing you looked for other solutions before quitting (like requesting a transfer, asking for mediation, etc.), make sure to include that. It strengthens your case that quitting was truly your last resort. The judges really want to see that you tried everything possible before leaving. You've got this - having evidence of hostile behavior and complaints to HR puts you in a good position!