I'm going through something very similar right now - had to quit my retail job last month due to panic attacks that were getting worse every day. The constant stress was making my depression unbearable. I haven't filed my Washington ESD claim yet because I wasn't sure if quitting for mental health reasons would qualify, but reading through all these responses gives me hope. It's scary not having income coming in, but I know staying at that job would have made things so much worse. Thanks for posting this question - it's helping more people than just you!

I went through this exact process with Washington ESD about 6 months ago after quitting due to severe depression and anxiety. Here's what helped my case get approved: 1) I had my psychiatrist write a detailed letter explaining how my mental health condition made it medically necessary to leave work immediately, 2) I documented all my symptoms and how they were affecting my job performance, and 3) I filed my claim online within a few days of quitting. The adjudication took about 10 weeks, which was stressful, but they ultimately approved it. The key is having solid medical documentation that shows continuing work would have been harmful to your health. Your therapist's records will be crucial - make sure they can provide a letter stating that immediate separation from work was medically necessary for your recovery. Don't let anyone discourage you from applying - mental health is just as valid as physical health conditions. Good luck!

I just went through this same confusion a few months ago when I first filed! You definitely don't need your employer's unemployment tax number (UBI number) for your personal claim - that's strictly for employers when they file their quarterly reports with the state. It sounds like you might have accidentally ended up on the employer portal section of the Washington ESD website, which happens to a lot of people since the navigation isn't great. For a regular unemployment claim, you only need your SSN, basic employer info (name, address), and your work history. Just make sure you're on the right page by going directly to esd.wa.gov and clicking "File for Unemployment Benefits" - that'll take you to the actual claimant application where you won't see any requests for employer tax numbers.

I had this exact same issue when I first filed for unemployment! The "unemployment tax number" they're asking for is actually your employer's UBI (Unified Business Identifier) number, which is something only employers need to know for their quarterly tax filings with Washington State. As a regular employee, you would never have access to this number, and you don't need it for your personal unemployment claim. It sounds like you accidentally ended up on the employer section of the Washington ESD website instead of the regular claimant application - this happens to tons of people because their website navigation is confusing and the pages look really similar. Just go back to esd.wa.gov and look for "File for Unemployment Benefits" to get to the correct claimant form. You'll only need your SSN, basic employer info (business name and address), and your work history. Washington ESD can look up all the employer tax information on their end once you provide those basic details.

Update: I want to thank everyone for their advice! I took several of your suggestions: 1. Called the OAH number and they confirmed our appeal should have been implemented weeks ago 2. Emailed unemployment.help with URGENT in the subject line and included all our claim details 3. Used Claimyr to finally get through to an actual person at ESD The agent I spoke with was actually very helpful once I got through. She said our payment was stuck because the appeal decision required manual processing of back payments, and it was sitting in a review queue. She escalated it while I was on the phone. This morning I checked our account and ALL 10 WEEKS have been processed for payment! They should be in our account by Monday. I'm so relieved I could cry. For anyone else stuck in appeal limbo - persistence and using multiple channels simultaneously seems to be the key. Thanks again everyone.

This is exactly what I needed to see right now! My sister has been waiting 9 weeks after her appeal was approved and we've been feeling completely helpless. I'm going to have her try all three approaches you mentioned - calling OAH, the urgent email, and using Claimyr to get through to someone. It's such a relief to hear that there are actual people at ESD who can fix these issues once you can reach them. Thank you for updating us with what worked!

This entire thread is such a perfect example of why this community is so valuable! I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and ended up scrambling because I had no idea what to expect. Reading through everyone's experiences and all the practical resources shared here really shows how much collective knowledge we have when we come together to help each other. A couple things I learned from my experience that might help others: 1. Document everything - keep screenshots of your ESD claims, copies of your job offer letter, and records of all your communications with landlords/utilities. This saved me when I had questions later. 2. Some employers have "new hire hardship" policies that aren't widely advertised - it's worth asking HR directly if they have any resources for employees dealing with pay schedule gaps. 3. Local libraries often have information about emergency assistance programs and some even have social workers on staff who can help connect you with resources. What really strikes me is how many people face this same challenge but there's so little official guidance about it. This thread should honestly be pinned as a resource for anyone starting a new job while on unemployment. Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and making this transition less isolating for others!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who's currently unemployed and actively job searching, I'm saving this entire conversation for reference because I know I'll likely face this exact situation soon. What really stands out to me is how this reveals a significant gap in our support systems - you're technically employed but have zero income for weeks, yet the unemployment system can't bridge that gap. I'm particularly grateful for all the practical resources people have shared - things like the United Way 2-1-1 helpline, asking about earned wage access programs, and the tip about libraries having social workers. These are resources I never would have known about otherwise! It's also really smart advice about being proactive with landlords and utilities rather than waiting until you're behind. One thing this thread makes me want to do is start building a small emergency fund specifically for this type of transition, even while on unemployment benefits. Maybe setting aside even $20-30 per week could help create a small buffer for situations like this. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences, especially AstroAce for the detailed updates and follow-through. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating these complex situations that the official systems don't handle well. Congratulations on the new job, and I hope the transition period goes smoothly!

man this whole thread is making me grateful I haven't had to deal with this stuff yet but also worried about what happens when my parents get older. scary to think about

This is such valuable information! I'm actually in a similar situation - my father-in-law has been declining rapidly and we're starting to think about care options. It's reassuring to know that Washington recognizes family caregiving as good cause for unemployment benefits. I had no idea this was even a possibility. Thanks for sharing your story and best of luck with your claim, Samantha. Your mom is lucky to have someone who cares so much about her wellbeing.