What I did when my benefits ran out was pick up gig work while still job hunting in my field. It wasn't ideal but DoorDash, Instacart etc let me make *something* while I kept looking for permanent work. At least it helped with gas money and some bills. The key is to stay flexible - a lot of these gigs let you work whenever you want so you can still go to interviews for real jobs.

One final note - make sure to download and save all your ESD documents before your benefit year ends. This includes your monetary determination, all weekly claim confirmations, and any determination letters. If you need to reference anything for future assistance programs or tax purposes, these won't be easily accessible once your benefit year closes out.

I represented myself. The judge was actually pretty understanding. Just make sure you're organized and stick to the facts - that you CAN work, just not in jobs requiring standing/walking. If you show you're actively looking for desk jobs, that should be enough.

To answer your earlier question - yes, when I got through to ESD using Claimyr, the agent was super helpful about exactly what documentation I needed. They sent me a form called "Medical Statement" that my doctor filled out specifying what work I could still do despite my limitations. That form was way more helpful than just a doctor's note because it asked all the right questions ESD needed answers to. Definitely worth getting through to ask for that specific form!

Just wanted to follow up - did you end up getting paid for this week? Usually if the adjudication is newly opened, you'll receive at least one more payment while they're starting the investigation process. It's rare for payments to stop immediately unless there's a clear eligibility issue.

Update: I DID get paid! Filed on Sunday and the money hit my account this morning. Such a relief! Still no explanation about what the adjudication is for, but at least I can pay my bills while they figure it out.

I think it depends on how they structured your severance? When I got laid off my employers payroll lady said they coded it as "continuation of wages" not "severance" so unemployment treated it differently? i dunno the whole system is confusing af

Update: I went ahead and filed my initial claim. The ESD website had a specific section where I could report the severance arrangement. I also uploaded my separation agreement as supporting documentation. I got an automated message saying my claim was received and that I should continue filing weekly claims even if I'm receiving severance. I'll start my job search activities this week and keep everyone posted on what happens!

Great news! How long did she say it would take for everything to get fixed?

She said it should take 7-10 business days for the new claim to process, and then another 3-5 days for the previous weekly claims to be adjusted and paid out. Fingers crossed it actually happens that quickly!

Another important thing to know: if you exhaust regular UI and no extensions are available, you won't be eligible for another regular UI claim until your benefit year ends AND you've earned enough qualifying wages in a new base year. This is why looking into training programs is so important - they can bridge that gap while giving you new skills. Also, make sure your resume and LinkedIn profile are absolutely current. In 2025, many employers are using AI screening tools that look for specific keywords matching their job requirements. WorkSource can help optimize your application materials to pass these automated screenings.

Most WorkSource-approved training programs range from 3-18 months depending on what you're studying. Short-term certifications (like some IT certs) might be just 3-4 months, while more comprehensive retraining could be a year or more. The Training Benefits program can extend your UI for up to 52 weeks if you're approved for a qualifying training program. The key is to get enrolled and approved BEFORE your regular benefits exhaust if possible. Schedule a meeting with both WorkSource and your local community college's Worker Retraining office this week.

I used the Claimyr service that someone recommended here. Totally worth it! Got connected to an actual person in about 15 minutes after spending weeks trying to get through on my own.

Great update! One additional tip: When you apply for PFML, be prepared with documentation from your healthcare provider. They'll need certification of your pregnancy/birth. Also, take screenshots of all your submissions and keep track of claim numbers for both systems. Documentation has saved me multiple times when there were mix-ups between systems. Good luck with your delivery and congrats on the baby!

ya the ESD website is totally usless sometimes lol. mine said pending for like 3 weeks then suddenly changed to PAID with no notification. have u checked ur bank account? sometimes the money shows up before the website updates.

To follow up on this thread: Once you get your claim issues resolved, make sure you understand how the weekly claiming process works to avoid future problems: 1. File every week, even if your claim status is pending 2. Answer all questions accurately - contradictory answers can trigger adjudication 3. Report all work and earnings properly, even partial hours 4. Complete your 3 job search activities each week and document them correctly 5. Be prepared to provide your job search log if requested Many people don't realize that missing even one weekly claim can create significant delays. And once your claim is approved, you'll need to continue these activities to receive your benefits without interruption. Hope you get this resolved quickly!

my cousin had this happen and they said it was paid but the $ never came. turned out there was an overpayment on an old claim that they took the money for. might wanna check if you have any overpayment notices?

Just as an update for anyone searching this thread in the future - the standard processing time is 24-72 hours after your claim shows 'paid' status, but it can occasionally take up to 5 business days depending on banking institutions and whether weekends/holidays are involved. If you don't receive your payment after 5 business days, you should definitely contact ESD directly as there may be an issue with your payment processing.

One more important point - when you file weekly claims while in adjudication, you must report any job search activities. Currently, Washington requires documenting at least three job search activities each week. Without these, your claim could be denied regardless of the circumstances of your separation from employment. Also, if your anxiety condition continues to be severe, there's a different approach through ESD for temporary disability, but that's a separate process from regular unemployment. Based on what you've described, regular unemployment seems appropriate since you're able and available for work now.

this happened to my brother-in-law and he had to wait FOREVER to get benefits. like 12 weeks before they made a decision!! he kept calling and calling but couldnt get thru to anyone. almost lost his apartment waiting.