Just remember to be honest on your application. Any discrepancies can cause delays or even disqualification. Better to be upfront about everything from the start.

Just wanted to add that you should also make sure you have all your employment information ready when you apply - dates of employment, employer contact info, and your gross wages for each quarter. Having this organized beforehand will make the application process much smoother. Since you worked retail for 18 months and were laid off due to store closure, you should definitely qualify. The hardest part is usually just getting through the initial application, but it sounds like you have all the right circumstances.

i almost forgot to file last week lol but the esd site was down for maintenance when i tried sunday night so i had to do it monday morning. got my payment a day late but no big deal. just dont wait til the very last minute on saturday night or you might have technical problems

For anyone else reading this thread - I just want to emphasize how important it is to understand the ESD filing schedule! I've been on unemployment for 8 months now and I see so many people get confused about this. The key thing to remember is: each benefit week runs Sunday through Saturday, and you can file for that completed week starting the NEXT Sunday. You then have a full week (until the following Saturday at 11:59 PM) to submit your claim. So there's actually a lot of flexibility in when you file - you don't have to rush to do it on Sunday morning like some people think. Just make sure you don't wait until the very last minute in case there are technical issues with the website!

To summarize for anyone else who might be confused about this issue in the future: 1. PFML (Paid Family Medical Leave) allows retroactive claiming of multiple weeks at once 2. Regular UI (Unemployment Insurance) requires weekly claims filed on time 3. When claiming multiple PFML weeks, payment typically comes as one lump sum 4. Processing time is usually 5-10 business days but can take longer 5. Keep all your medical documentation handy in case verification is requested Hope this helps clarify things!

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! As someone who's new to navigating ESD benefits, this thread has been super reassuring. I was also worried about claiming multiple PFML weeks at once when I got my extension approved last month. Reading about everyone's similar experiences makes me feel much more confident that I did the right thing. It's really confusing how different PFML and regular UI work - I wish ESD made this clearer on their website. Appreciate this community for helping clarify these things!

This is such a frustrating but unfortunately common issue with ESD's system. The fact that they can show "paid" status while payments are actually being held due to invisible flags is absolutely maddening. I went through something similar last year - my claims showed paid for weeks but turns out there was an employer dispute that wasn't reflected anywhere in my online account. Like others mentioned, I had to call dozens of times before finally getting someone who could see the actual problem. One tip that helped me get through faster: try calling at exactly 8:00 AM and press 1-1-1 as soon as you hear the automated message. Sometimes you can bypass the "high call volume" recording that way. Also document everything - dates you called, who you spoke with, any reference numbers they give you. The system is broken but persistence usually pays off eventually. Really glad Connor got his resolved - hopefully ESD will fix these visibility issues so people don't have to go through this nightmare in the future!

This whole thread is such a perfect example of why ESD needs a complete system overhaul. The fact that Connor had to wait 7 weeks and use a third-party service just to discover an "invisible" identity verification hold is absolutely unacceptable. For anyone currently dealing with similar issues, here are the key takeaways from this discussion: 1. "Paid" status doesn't always mean paid - there can be hidden holds 2. Check both your eServices messages AND physical mail for notices 3. Call at exactly 8am for better chances of getting through 4. Ask specifically about payment method selection (direct deposit vs debit card) 5. Have your bank check for any failed deposit attempts 6. Consider using Claimyr if you can't get through on your own The system shouldn't be this broken, but at least we can help each other navigate it. Really hoping ESD addresses these visibility issues soon so people don't have to play detective with their own benefits.

One last thing - if you're on standby status (temporarily laid off but expecting to return to work), different rules apply. You don't have to do the job search but you still need to file weekly claims and be available if your employer calls you back.

If anyone needs to get through to Washington ESD quickly to clarify these rules for their specific situation, seriously check out Claimyr. I was amazed how fast they got me connected to an actual person who could answer my questions.