I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when my company had layoffs. The advice here is spot on - file that first Sunday after your last day of work. I had all my documents ready and the online application took about 40 minutes to complete. One thing I'd add is to screenshot or print your confirmation page after you submit - I had a minor glitch where my application seemed to disappear for a day and having that confirmation number helped when I called. The waiting week goes by faster than you think, and then the weekly claims become routine. You've got this!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is to make sure you understand Washington's work search requirements before you start collecting. You'll need to complete 3 job search activities per week and log them in WorkSourceWA. Activities can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or even informational interviews. The key is documenting everything properly because they can audit your job search log at any time. I'd recommend setting up your WorkSourceWA account early so you're ready to track your activities from day one. It's also worth noting that some people may qualify for reduced work search requirements depending on their situation - like if you're in a union with a callback date or participating in approved training programs.

One more thing - if you disagree with your benefit calculation you can appeal it, but you need to do it within 30 days of getting your monetary determination. Don't wait if you think there's an error.

Based on your $52k salary, you should expect around $600-700 per week in unemployment benefits. Washington calculates this using 3.85% of your highest quarter earnings from your base period (the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). The current maximum is $999/week, minimum is $295/week. Don't forget you'll need to do 3 job search activities per week and log them in WorkSourceWA. Also consider having the 10% federal taxes withheld automatically to avoid a big tax bill later. File your weekly claims on time every week or you'll lose that week's benefits entirely.

I'm new here but wanted to share my recent experience with the "decision rendered" status. I saw this same update about 2 weeks ago after waiting nearly 7 weeks for my claim to be processed. Like you, I was constantly checking my account and getting more anxious each day. The good news is that in my case, it was an approval! The letter came exactly 4 business days after the status changed, and it included all the details about my weekly benefit amount and duration. One thing I wish I had known earlier is that you can sometimes see hints about the decision in your "Secure Messages" section before the physical letter arrives - mine showed up there about a day earlier. Also, definitely keep filing those weekly claims while you wait! I almost stopped filing thinking I needed to wait for the official letter, but fortunately someone in this community advised against it. Fingers crossed you get the same positive outcome I did!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just saw "decision rendered" appear on my account yesterday after 5 weeks of waiting. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helping ease my anxiety. It sounds like this is actually a positive step forward rather than something to worry about. I've been so stressed about the financial situation while waiting, but hearing about people getting backpay for all those pending weeks gives me hope. I'm definitely going to keep filing my weekly claims like everyone suggests and check my secure messages daily for any early updates. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a lifesaver during these stressful times!

I work as a payroll specialist and can confirm this is correct - Washington is one of only three states (along with Alaska and New Jersey) where employees contribute to unemployment insurance. The 2025 rate is 0.4% on wages up to $71,300, so for most people it works out to less than $25 per paycheck. It might seem like an extra expense, but it's actually a really smart system because it creates a more stable funding base for unemployment benefits. When economic downturns hit and unemployment claims surge, having both employee and employer contributions helps prevent benefit cuts or program insolvency that some other states have experienced.

I just want to echo what others have said - Washington definitely requires employee contributions to unemployment insurance, and you'll see it as "SUI" on your paystub. I was initially annoyed by yet another deduction when I first noticed it, but after using unemployment benefits during a layoff in 2022, I really appreciated having paid into the system. The benefits were substantial enough to help me get by while job searching, and knowing I had contributed made the whole process feel less like charity and more like using insurance I had paid for. It's one of those things where you don't think about it until you need it, but then you're really glad it exists.

Bottom line - working while claiming unemployment is totally legal in Washington as long as you report it. The problems only start when people try to hide work or earnings.

This is such valuable information! I'm in a similar situation working reduced hours at a restaurant while getting partial benefits. It's reassuring to know that being honest and reporting everything is the right approach. One thing I learned from my experience is to keep detailed records of all your reported earnings and hours - I screenshot my weekly claim confirmations just in case I ever need to reference them later. Washington ESD's system can be glitchy sometimes and having your own records gives peace of mind.