I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago with a temp agency placement that lasted 5 months. The agency kept giving me the runaround about "maybe next week" for new assignments, so I finally just filed for unemployment benefits. Best decision I made! Got approved within about 2 weeks and have been collecting ever since while looking for permanent work. The key things that helped me were: 1) Filing immediately after my assignment ended rather than waiting around, 2) Being very clear on the application that my "assignment was completed" rather than saying I quit or was fired, and 3) Keeping all my paperwork from the temp agency just in case. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty about filing - you worked, you paid taxes, and you're entitled to these benefits just like anyone else whose job ended. The temporary nature of the work doesn't disqualify you at all in Washington state.

I've been working temp assignments through agencies for about 3 years now and have filed for unemployment between assignments several times - never had a single issue! The process is exactly the same as if you were laid off from a regular job. My advice: file immediately when your assignment ends (don't wait for the agency to "maybe" find you something), be clear that your assignment was completed rather than saying you quit, and keep all your documentation from the temp agency. Washington state treats temp work the same as any other employment for UI purposes. You paid into the system through your paychecks, so you've absolutely earned these benefits. Don't let anyone make you feel like temporary work somehow doesn't "count" - it definitely does!

Just wanted to follow up and say I hope you get this resolved soon. The stress of not knowing what's wrong with your claim while bills are piling up is awful. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for using whatever resources are available to get help.

I'm going through something very similar right now - active issues for about 3 weeks with no clear explanation from the system. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful, especially learning about the different types of issues that can cause this. I've been filing my weekly claims religiously but it's so frustrating not knowing what's actually wrong. I'm definitely going to try calling at different times of day and look into some of the solutions people have mentioned here. It's reassuring to know that these issues do eventually get resolved, even though the wait is really stressful when you're depending on that income.

I actually had a similar situation a few months ago! One thing I'll add that others haven't mentioned - if your jury duty gets extended beyond the original summons dates (sometimes trials run longer than expected), make sure to update your weekly claims accordingly. I had jury duty that was supposed to be 3 days but ended up being 6 days, and I had to report the additional stipend payments in the following week's claim. Also, don't stress too much about the job search activities during jury duty week. You can do simple things like updating your resume, browsing job boards on your phone during breaks, or even networking with other jurors (you'd be surprised how many business connections happen during jury duty!). The key is just documenting that you made the effort to remain engaged in your job search despite the civic obligation. Hope your jury service goes smoothly and you don't have any issues with your benefits!

I'm going through jury duty selection right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add one more tip for anyone in this situation - when you're doing your weekly claim during jury duty week, make sure you file it on your normal day. Don't wait until after jury duty is over thinking you need to have "complete" information. The ESD system expects your claim on the same schedule regardless of temporary obligations like jury service. Also, if you're nervous about answering the questions correctly during your claim, you can always call the ESD customer service line beforehand to confirm how to handle your specific situation. I know the wait times are terrible, but having that official guidance recorded in your file can provide peace of mind. Good luck with your jury service!

This thread is absolutely incredible - I've been reading through all the advice and taking notes! I'm actually in a very similar situation as the original poster, except I've been off work for about 5 weeks now. I'm getting a bit worried that I might have waited too long and will need to file a completely new claim instead of just restarting. Does anyone know what the cutoff is for being able to restart vs. having to file fresh? I remember seeing someone mention 4 weeks earlier in the thread, but I want to make sure before I attempt the restart process. My original claim still shows as active in eServices with a remaining balance, but I'm not sure if that means anything after 5 weeks of inactivity. Also, for those who've restarted after a longer gap - did you run into any additional verification requirements or delays? I have all my documentation ready thanks to everyone's amazing tips, but I want to set realistic expectations for how long it might take to get payments flowing again. This community has been such a lifesaver for understanding these processes that ESD doesn't explain very clearly on their website!

This thread is absolutely amazing - thank you all so much for sharing your experiences! I'm in a similar boat with seasonal work and have been dreading having to figure out the restart process, but reading through everyone's detailed advice has been like getting a masterclass in ESD navigation. I love how this community shares the real practical stuff that you just can't find anywhere else - like the timing tips about avoiding Monday peak hours, screenshotting confirmation pages, and being super precise about work dates. The standby status option is something I had no idea existed but could be a game-changer for my situation. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - I noticed some people mentioned issues with employer paperwork. If your employer is slow with separation letters or other documentation, you can often find the forms you need on the ESD website and just ask them to fill it out rather than waiting for them to figure out what to send you. My previous employer was super disorganized, but when I brought them the specific form they needed to complete, it got done much faster. This community is seriously the best resource for navigating these tricky situations. The official ESD info only tells you what to do, but you all share HOW to actually do it successfully!

This thread was so helpful! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions.

Wow, this thread has been so helpful! I was just about to start searching for my 2024 1099-G from Washington ESD and was dreading having to navigate their website. Looks like checking under Payment History for the Tax Forms link is the key. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - saved me what probably would have been hours of frustration!