UPDATE: I finally got through using the bypass method! Waited about 50 minutes, but spoke to a very helpful agent who fixed my issue. For anyone else struggling with this problem, definitely try the method @helpful_guidance suggested - it works! Thank you everyone for your suggestions and commiseration. This community is so helpful when dealing with ESD frustrations.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue! Been trying to call for three days now and keep getting trapped in that menu loop between options 4 and 7. It's such a relief to know I'm not the only one experiencing this - I was starting to think I was doing something wrong. Definitely going to try the workaround that @helpful_guidance shared about not entering my SSN and pressing # instead. Has anyone had success with this method today, or are the wait times still really long? I have a time-sensitive issue with my claim that I really need to resolve this week.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about filing my claim now. I'll make sure to report the employer issue and keep good documentation. Really appreciate this community.

This is really helpful information for anyone dealing with employer compliance issues. I'm a former HR manager and can confirm that Washington ESD takes non-payment of unemployment insurance premiums very seriously. The investigation process Katherine is going through is standard procedure, and the system is designed to protect workers. One tip I'd add is to also check if your employer was properly classifying you as an employee vs. contractor - misclassification is another common issue that can affect unemployment claims. The good news is that Washington ESD has dedicated staff who handle these complex cases and they're experienced at sorting out employer violations.

i got so confusd by all this when i filed!!! the esd website is THE WORST. they dont explain anything clearly. i kept thinking my waiting week meant i did something wrong on my claim lol. but yeah you get 26 actual payment weeks and then your done. also make sure u do your work search activities every week or theyll cut you off!!!

One final clarification that might help: When people refer to "maximum benefits," they're talking about two different limits: 1. Time limit: Up to 26 weeks of payments within your 52-week benefit year 2. Monetary limit: The maximum total dollar amount you can receive (shown on your monetary determination letter) You'll reach the end of your benefits when you hit EITHER of these limits, whichever comes first. Most people hit the time limit first, but if you consistently receive partial payments due to part-time work, you might reach the full 52 weeks before exhausting your monetary maximum.

Congratulations on your new job! I just went through this same process a few weeks ago. The key is to log into your SecureAccess Washington account and file one final weekly claim for the week you started work - but only claim benefits for the days BEFORE you began working. Make sure to answer "yes" when it asks if you returned to work and provide your start date. After that, don't file any more weekly claims and your claim will close automatically. I'd also recommend taking screenshots of your final submission for your records, just in case there are any questions later. The whole process was actually much easier than I expected!

I went through this exact same situation last year when I landed a new position! The process is actually pretty straightforward once you know what to do. Here's what worked for me: Log into your SecureAccess Washington account and file your final weekly claim for the week you started your new job. The key is to only claim unemployment benefits for the days BEFORE your first day of work. So if you started on a Wednesday, you'd claim Monday and Tuesday of that week. When you're filling out the weekly claim, there will be a question asking if you returned to work - make sure to answer yes and provide your actual start date. After you submit that final claim, you're done! Don't file any more weekly claims and your unemployment claim will automatically close. I also highly recommend taking screenshots of your final submission and keeping records of your start date, just in case there are any questions down the road. The whole thing took me maybe 10 minutes online, way easier than trying to call their busy phone lines. Good luck with the new job!

The official ESD guidance states you should report your NET self-employment income, which is calculated by taking your gross receipts and subtracting business expenses directly related to generating that income. This is different from how you report W2 employment, where you report gross. The confusion happens because many ESD phone representatives don't understand the distinction and give incorrect information. Make sure you're keeping detailed records of all business expenses. For rideshare, this includes: - Mileage (use the IRS standard mileage rate) - Platform fees - Portion of phone bill used for work - Car washes and maintenance - Any supplies (water, mints, etc.) Calculate these expenses weekly and subtract from your gross. That's the amount you should report.

I'm new to this whole unemployment + gig work situation and this thread has been super helpful! I just started doing Instacart deliveries while on partial UI benefits and was totally confused about the reporting. Based on what everyone is saying, it sounds like I should be tracking my mileage, keeping gas receipts, and calculating my net earnings each week rather than just reporting what Instacart pays me before their fees. Quick question - for mileage, do I track from my house to the store and back, or just the delivery portion? And do I need to use a special app or is writing it down enough for ESD's purposes? Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's way more helpful than the vague info on the ESD website!