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File immediately and then start your job search right away too. Washington has work search requirements and they can ask for your job search log at any time. Better to start tracking from day one.
Don't stress too much about getting everything perfect on your initial application. You can always provide additional information later if they need it. The important thing is getting your claim date established.
Bottom line - there really aren't any significant downsides to filing. You paid into the system, you're entitled to benefits if you qualify. Just make sure you follow all the rules and keep good documentation.
Just want to echo what others said about Claimyr - if you run into any issues with your claim that require talking to someone at Washington ESD, that service is a lifesaver. The regular phone system is basically unusable.
For anyone still struggling to get through to Washington ESD for questions about their specific situation, I found claimyr.com super helpful. They have a service that helps you actually reach agents instead of getting the endless busy signals. Worth checking out if you need to talk to someone about your claim.
Honestly, I've found that Washington ESD's timeline estimates are pretty accurate for straightforward cases. If they say 2-3 weeks, it's usually closer to 3 weeks. But if there's any complication at all, add another 2-4 weeks minimum.
The good news is that once Washington ESD approves your claim, the payments usually start pretty quickly. I got my first payment about 5 days after approval, and then they've been consistent every week since then.
PaulineW
I've been working part-time for 3 months while on unemployment and it's been working out well. Just make sure you keep good records of your hours and earnings in case Washington ESD ever asks for documentation.
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James Maki
•Good advice on keeping records. I'll make sure to document everything properly.
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Annabel Kimball
•Yes! Keep pay stubs, time sheets, anything that shows your actual work and earnings.
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Chris Elmeda
Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! This thread cleared up a lot of my confusion about working while collecting benefits.
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James Maki
•Same here! I feel much more confident about taking that part-time job now.
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