One last thing to remember - make sure you're honest about your work situation when you file. Remote work is legitimate work and Washington ESD recognizes it as such. Don't overthink it or worry that you need to explain anything special about working from home.

I'm in a very similar situation - been working remotely for an Oregon-based company for the past year and a half but I live in Tacoma. Just got notice that my position is being eliminated next month. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful! It's reassuring to know that so many people have successfully filed with Washington ESD for remote work situations. I was initially confused about whether I should file in Oregon since that's where my employer is located, but now I understand it's about where I physically work. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helps to hear from people who've actually been through this process.

One more important thing - when you file your new claim, you'll need to have your employment information ready for all jobs in the last 18 months. That includes employer names, addresses, phone numbers, employment dates, and why you're no longer working there. Also be prepared to verify your identity again through ID.me if you haven't used your ESD account recently.

I went through almost the exact same situation! Filed in fall 2024, got denied for insufficient hours, then had to file a new claim in January 2025 once my summer work counted. The "invalid" status is basically the system's way of saying your claim is dead and can't be revived. Don't waste any more time trying to file weekly claims on it - those weeks are just lost unfortunately. File your new initial claim ASAP since your summer 2024 hours should now be in your base period. The process was pretty straightforward once I started fresh, and I was approved within about 10 days. Good luck!

glad you asked this question because i was wondering the same thing! my hours got cut at my job and i wasn't sure if i could still get some unemployment benefits. sounds like i can as long as i report everything correctly

This is such a helpful thread! I'm actually in a similar situation - just got offered a part-time position while I'm still collecting unemployment benefits in Washington. Reading through everyone's responses has really clarified the process for me. The key points I'm taking away are: 1) Report gross earnings for the week you actually worked (not when you get paid), 2) Keep detailed records of everything, 3) Continue job searching and documenting it, and 4) Be honest about all earnings. It's reassuring to know that the system is actually designed to help people transition back to full-time work rather than penalize them for taking whatever opportunities they can find. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

Update: Finally got through to an ESD agent this morning. The 'reversed' decision means the judge overturned ESD's original approval of my benefits. The agent confirmed I'll be receiving an overpayment notice for about $5,800 in benefits I've already received. I can either pay it back in full, request a payment plan, or file for a waiver if I can prove financial hardship. I'm also going to appeal to the Commissioner's Review Office within the 30-day window. The agent said I should focus on showing why the judge didn't correctly apply the law to my situation rather than just restating my original arguments. Thanks everyone for your help with understanding this!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress! I went through something similar last year and the uncertainty is awful. One thing that helped me was getting a copy of the judge's written decision as soon as possible - it should spell out exactly why they reversed ESD's original decision and what specific law or regulation they based it on. This information will be crucial if you decide to appeal to the Commissioner's Review Office. Also, when you apply for that payment plan, ask if they can put a hold on collection activities while your Commissioner appeal is pending. Some people have success with this, though it's not guaranteed. Document everything and keep copies of all correspondence. Hang in there!

This thread has been super helpful. I was stressing out about these forms but now I feel more confident about filling them out properly.

One thing I learned the hard way is to double-check your bank account information before submitting. I had one digit wrong in my routing number and it delayed my payments by almost two weeks while they sorted it out. Washington ESD doesn't make it easy to update banking info once your claim is submitted, so make sure it's perfect from the start.