Just to add clarity on the waiting week: it applies to your first eligible week after filing. If your claim is in adjudication for ID verification, your waiting week hasn't technically started yet because you're not considered eligible until the ID verification is complete. Once your identity is verified, the first payable week will be your waiting week (no payment), then you'll receive benefits for subsequent weeks if you continue to qualify. This is why it's crucial to keep filing weekly claims during adjudication - the system will retroactively assign your waiting week and pay for eligible weeks once identity verification is complete.

Hey Hugh, I'm going through something similar right now! Filed 2 weeks ago and still stuck in ID verification limbo. One thing that helped me was creating a timeline of when I submitted everything - screenshot your document upload confirmations if you have them. Also, regarding the financial hardship fast-track that Eve mentioned - I called yesterday and they said you need to provide documentation like an eviction notice or utility shutoff warning to qualify for expedited processing. Might be worth gathering those docs if you have them since rent is due soon. Hang in there - this process is brutal but everyone here seems to eventually get through it!

I'm in week 8 of my claim and just received my SEAP invitation letter yesterday! Reading through this thread has been so helpful in understanding what to expect. For those still waiting - don't give up hope. I was starting to think I wouldn't get selected since I'm in construction like @Brielle Johnson, but apparently they do consider our industry. A few things I learned from my initial call with the SEAP coordinator: - The business plan doesn't have to be super detailed in the application, but you need to show you've thought it through - They really want to see how your existing skills transfer to the new business - Local market need is important - they asked specific questions about competition in my area For anyone doing research while waiting, I found the SCORE mentorship program really helpful for getting free business advice. Also, the SBA website has tons of resources for market analysis and financial projections. I'm nervous about the approval process after the invitation, but feeling more confident after reading @Gael Robinson's experience. Will definitely emphasize the project management angle in my application. Thanks everyone for sharing - this community is way more helpful than the official ESD resources!

This thread has been incredibly valuable - thank you all for sharing your experiences! I'm a newcomer here and have been lurking while trying to understand SEAP. I was laid off from my IT project management role about 6 weeks ago and have been considering starting a tech consulting business. Reading through everyone's stories, it sounds like the selection process is quite competitive and somewhat unpredictable. The fact that @Yuki Yamamoto just got selected at week 8 gives me some hope since I'm at week 6 with no word yet. One thing that strikes me from all these responses is how much more informative this community discussion is compared to the official ESD materials. The actual eligibility criteria, timeline expectations, and practical advice about business plan preparation - none of this detail was available through official channels when I tried researching SEAP. For those who've been through the program successfully, did you find that having a more "traditional" business idea (like handyman services or consulting) worked better than more innovative/creative concepts? I'm wondering if they favor business types that have proven local demand versus newer market opportunities. Also really appreciate the tips about leveraging SCORE and SBDC resources while waiting. Even if SEAP doesn't work out, it sounds like there are ways to move forward with business planning while maintaining UI compliance.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim about 10 days ago and it's been showing "pending determination" the whole time. Reading through all these responses is really helpful, especially learning that I should be filing weekly claims even while it's pending! I had no idea about that requirement and was waiting for approval first. Also going to set up those text notifications that Mikayla mentioned - seems like a much better way to stay informed than constantly refreshing the page. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it's reassuring to know this waiting period is normal even though it's stressful when bills are due.

I'm going through this exact same process right now - submitted my claim about 5 days ago and keep checking the status obsessively! It's really helpful to read everyone's experiences and realize this waiting period is totally normal. The tip about filing weekly claims even while pending is crucial - I almost made the same mistake of waiting for approval first. Also setting up those text notifications sounds like a lifesaver compared to constantly refreshing the page. One question for those who've been through this - is there any pattern to when they typically update statuses during the week, or is it pretty random? Trying to manage my expectations about when I might see a change from "pending determination.

One more tip - if you end up in adjudication and can't get through on the phone, try the secure messaging system on your Washington ESD account. Response times vary but sometimes it's faster than waiting on hold for hours. Though honestly, after my experience trying to reach them for weeks, I finally used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and got connected in like 20 minutes.

Just want to echo what others have said - definitely file for partial unemployment! I was in a similar situation where my retail job cut everyone's hours from full-time to 20-25 hours per week. The partial benefits really helped bridge the gap while I looked for additional income. The application process is straightforward through the Washington ESD website, just make sure you have your employment history and wage information handy. Also, don't let the job search requirement intimidate you - three contacts per week is totally manageable, and you can count online applications, networking, even attending job fairs. The key is being consistent with your weekly claims and reporting your earnings accurately. It might take a few weeks to see your first payment, but it's definitely worth applying sooner rather than later since there's usually a waiting period anyway.

One last tip - if you're worried about benefits running out, make sure you're not missing any weekly certifications. Missing even one week can mess up your claim and potentially reduce your total benefits.

If you're having trouble finding the claim summary on the SecureAccess Washington site, try this: after logging in, look for "UI Online" then click on "View and Maintain Account Information" - that's where you'll find your claim summary with remaining weeks and benefit year end date. The interface isn't very user-friendly but once you know the exact path it's easier to navigate. Also, keep in mind that your remaining weeks will decrease even if you have partial earnings that week, so don't just count the weeks you've received full payments.