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You mentioned you're confused about documentation - honestly, the application will tell you exactly what you need as you go through it. Don't stress too much about gathering everything beforehand.
OP, what industry was your retail business in? Depending on the field, there might be industry-specific transition assistance programs available.
Bottom line - file the application anyway and see what Washington ESD says officially. Worst case, you get a clear denial with information about your appeal rights. Best case, there might be some aspect of your situation that creates eligibility you weren't aware of.
That's exactly what I'm going to do. Thanks everyone for all the advice and information. This thread has been really helpful in understanding my options.
Make sure you understand the waiting week requirement too. You won't get paid for your first week of unemployment even if you're eligible.
One more thing - if you quit your job voluntarily, the work history requirements are the same but you might not qualify for benefits regardless. You generally need to be laid off or terminated through no fault of your own.
Oliver Schulz
Another tip - if you do need to call Washington ESD for any reason, try calling right when they open at 8am or during lunch time around noon. Those seem to be the best times to actually get through to someone. But honestly, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier might be worth it if you're dealing with a complicated issue.
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Natasha Orlova
•I've tried the 8am thing and still couldn't get through. The volume is just insane. Might have to look into that calling service.
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Jamal Harris
•Yeah, from what I'm hearing in this thread, having a backup plan for contacting them seems smart.
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Javier Cruz
Overall I'd say the system works, but you need to be proactive and stay on top of everything. Don't wait for Washington ESD to contact you about issues - check your account regularly and address problems quickly. The people who have the worst experiences are usually the ones who file and then ignore it for weeks.
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Jamal Harris
•That makes sense. Sounds like it requires active management rather than just filing and forgetting about it.
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Emma Wilson
•Exactly. Treat it like a part-time job and you'll be fine. The weekly claims, job search activities, and staying current with any correspondence.
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