Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble with the online application or need to check your claim status, Washington ESD also has a mobile app that can be easier to use than the website sometimes. Also, make sure you keep copies of everything you submit - I learned that lesson when they asked me to resubmit documents I thought they already had. Good luck with your claim!

One more thing to keep in mind - if you receive any severance pay, that might affect when your benefits start. Washington ESD considers severance as wages, so depending on how it's structured, you might have a delay before benefits kick in. I had a friend who got 4 weeks severance and couldn't collect unemployment until after that period ended. Just something to check on if you're getting any kind of separation package from your tech company.

This is such a comprehensive thread! I've been hesitating about plasma donation for weeks but reading everyone's experiences really helps. It sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) Plasma donation isn't considered employment income by Washington ESD, 2) No need to report it on weekly claims, 3) Keep documentation just in case, and 4) Make sure to maintain good health with proper nutrition. I'm definitely going to look into local centers now. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - it makes such a difference when you're trying to navigate unemployment and need every bit of help you can get!

Just wanted to add my experience - I've been donating plasma for about 3 months while on unemployment and it's been a lifesaver. The extra $300-400 per month has really helped with bills and groceries. What I found helpful was calling ahead to different centers to compare their compensation rates and new donor bonuses. Some places offer up to $100 for your first few donations. Also, if you have any medical conditions or take medications, make sure to ask about eligibility during the screening - they're pretty thorough about what disqualifies you. The actual donation process is pretty relaxing once you get used to it, and most centers have wifi so you can catch up on shows or job searching while you're there. Definitely recommend keeping a simple log of dates and amounts like others mentioned - I use a notes app on my phone. Good luck with your job search and hope this helps bridge the gap financially!

Final tip - when you file your claim, be completely honest about everything. It's better to explain a complicated situation upfront than to have Washington ESD discover something later that looks like you were trying to hide it.

Just wanted to add that I went through a similar situation last year - my hours got cut from full-time to part-time and I eventually had to quit because it wasn't sustainable financially. Washington ESD approved my claim because the substantial reduction in hours was considered good cause. The key is documenting everything like others mentioned - I kept copies of my old schedule vs new schedule, emails about the changes, and even screenshots of my reduced paychecks. It took about 3 weeks to get my first payment but it was worth the wait. Don't let fear of disqualification stop you from filing - the worst they can say is no, and then you can appeal if needed.

I'm sorry you're going through this - workplace harassment is so draining. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here is to keep a detailed journal of incidents with dates, times, and what exactly happened. Even if you don't have emails or texts for everything, your own contemporaneous notes can be valuable evidence. Also, if you have any performance reviews or previous positive feedback from before this supervisor started targeting you, gather those too - they can help show that the problems aren't with your work performance but with the hostile treatment you're receiving.

I went through something similar with a toxic manager who was trying to force me out. The key thing that saved my UI claim was creating a paper trail - I started sending follow-up emails after every verbal conversation summarizing what was discussed. Like if she gave you that ultimatum verbally, send an email saying "Just to confirm our conversation today, you mentioned that I need to 'figure out how to make this work' regarding the scheduling conflicts we discussed, or find another job. I want to make sure I understood correctly." This forces them to either confirm it in writing or correct the record, and either way you have documentation. Also, when you do talk to the owner, do it in writing if possible or follow up with an email summary. Washington ESD really values that paper trail in constructive dismissal cases.

This whole thread is so relatable! I just went through the same panic attack last week waiting for my WorkSource link. Mine came literally 3 minutes before start time and I was frantically trying to get Zoom to work. @Liam glad you made it in! For anyone else dealing with this - I found out you can actually log into the WorkSourceWA website and sometimes find a backup link under your appointments section. Doesn't always work but worth checking. Also if you're on mobile, download the Zoom app ahead of time because the browser version can be glitchy. The system is definitely designed to stress us out but at least the workshops aren't completely useless once you actually get in!

This is such a common issue and honestly one of the most stressful parts of the whole UI process! I've been through this exact same panic multiple times. What I've learned is to set up everything possible beforehand - have Zoom downloaded and tested, check all your email folders including promotions/spam, and log into WorkSourceWA.com about 30 minutes before to see if anything shows up there. I also screenshot my confirmation email and the time stamps of when I check for the link, just in case I need to prove I was trying to attend. The system is definitely flawed but documenting everything has saved me from benefit issues when things go wrong. Glad you made it to your workshop @Liam! The anxiety these last-minute links cause is totally unnecessary.