Update from earlier - I tried Claimyr this morning and got through to Washington ESD in about 10 minutes. Agent told me my redetermination was approved last Thursday! She said the back pay should show up in my account by tomorrow. So relieved to finally know what's happening. Thanks to whoever recommended that service!

I'm going through something similar and this thread has been really helpful! I submitted my redetermination documents about 4 weeks ago and have been anxiously waiting. My case is also about separation circumstances - my employer is claiming I was terminated for performance issues but I believe it was actually due to company restructuring. Reading everyone's experiences gives me hope that I'll hear something soon. It's encouraging to see so many people getting approved and receiving their back pay, even if the wait is stressful. I think I'm going to try that Claimyr service tomorrow since it seems like several people have had success getting through to an actual agent that way.

Bottom line - yes you can work part-time and collect unemployment in Washington. Just be honest, report everything accurately, and keep looking for full-time work. It's actually a great way to bridge the gap while job hunting.

One thing I'd add is to keep detailed records of your part-time work schedule and earnings for your own records. I create a simple spreadsheet with dates, hours worked, and gross pay for each week. This has saved me so much time when filing my weekly claims and makes it easy to double-check that Washington ESD processed everything correctly. Also, if you ever get audited or have questions about your claim later, having your own documentation is invaluable. The 15-20 hours at $18/hour sounds like a perfect setup for partial benefits!

After reviewing your responses here, I suspect there may have been a system issue or misinterpretation of your weekly claim answers. This happens more often than ESD admits. For your appeal, focus on these key elements: 1. Your consistent job search activities (3+ per week) 2. Your full availability for work (no restrictions on hours/days) 3. Your willingness to accept suitable work 4. Any miscommunications or system errors that might have occurred Technically speaking, the burden of proof in these hearings shifts to ESD. They must prove you were NOT available, rather than you having to prove you WERE available. However, having solid documentation significantly strengthens your case. The current appeal process is taking about 6-8 weeks from filing to hearing, and another 1-2 weeks for the decision. Administrative Law Judges are overturning about 58% of 'able and available' disqualifications according to the most recent OAH statistics.

I went through a similar situation last year and won my appeal! One thing that really helped my case was creating a detailed spreadsheet showing every job I applied for during each disqualified week - including company name, position, date applied, and method of application. I also included screenshots of job postings I applied to through Indeed and other sites. The Administrative Law Judge was impressed with my organization and it clearly showed I was actively seeking work. Another tip: if you had any phone or video interviews during those weeks, bring documentation of those too - it proves you were not only looking but actually getting responses. The fact that you mentioned having an interview scheduled probably worked in your favor, not against you, because it shows employer interest. Good luck with your appeal - you've got this!

The whole system is set up to confuse people. Why can't Washington ESD just have clear guidance on their website about common situations like this?

Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses! This thread has been incredibly valuable. I'm feeling much more confident about filing my claim now. It sounds like the key points are: 1) WARN Act pay is different from regular severance and typically doesn't delay your claim, 2) You still need to report it on weekly certifications as other income, and 3) Be transparent about everything when filing. I'll make sure to clearly indicate it's WARN Act pay (not regular severance) when I file this week. Really appreciate this community for providing real-world experiences when the official channels are so hard to navigate!

I'm new to this community but wanted to chime in since I just went through a very similar situation with my layoff from a local startup last month. The advice here is solid - definitely file your initial claim right away! One thing I'd add is to take screenshots of your severance agreement/documentation before you file. ESD sometimes asks for clarification on how severance is structured (lump sum vs. salary continuation), and having that info handy can save you from delays. Also, if your company offers any career transition services or job placement assistance as part of your severance package, those don't count as income but you should still mention them if ESD asks about other benefits you're receiving. The hardest part for me was wrapping my head around doing job search activities while still technically employed, but it makes sense once you understand that you're establishing future eligibility. Start that spreadsheet tracking now - even basic networking conversations or informational interviews count toward your three weekly activities. You're asking all the right questions and getting great advice here. The system isn't as scary as it seems once you get started!

Welcome to the community! I'm also pretty new here but wanted to share what I learned when I was laid off from a tech company in Portland earlier this year. Everyone's advice about filing immediately is absolutely correct - I waited about 10 days thinking I should let my severance "settle" first and it was a mistake that cost me benefits. One thing that really helped me was setting up a simple calendar reminder for my weekly claims. The ESD system is pretty strict about the filing windows, and if you miss a week you have to go through an appeals process to get it back. I set mine for Sunday evenings since that gave me time to gather any documentation I might need. Also, don't stress too much about getting everything perfect on your first claim - you can always call (though good luck getting through!) or use their messaging system to make corrections if needed. The most important thing is just getting that initial claim filed to start your benefit year. The weekly reporting becomes routine pretty quickly once you get the hang of it. Your severance situation sounds very manageable based on what others have shared here. Just be honest about all income and timing, keep good records, and you should be fine. Good luck with the job search when you're ready to start that process!