I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago with two kids and it was honestly a nightmare to navigate at first. Here's what I learned: Yes, you can get both but your TANF will be reduced almost dollar for dollar by your unemployment amount. The small silver lining is that you might end up with maybe $50-100 more total per month than just TANF alone due to how they calculate deductions, but it's not much. The real benefit for me was that unemployment lasted longer than TANF would have. My biggest mistake was not reporting my first unemployment payment to DSHS immediately - I waited a week thinking it wouldn't matter and ended up with a $300 overpayment notice. Now I report everything the same day I receive it. Also, keep detailed records of every single interaction with both agencies. I started a simple notebook with dates, times, and what was discussed, and it saved me during a benefits review. The job search requirements from both programs are exhausting but try to make your activities count for both whenever possible. Hang in there - it gets easier once you figure out the routine, and hopefully you'll find work soon and won't need either program.

I've been dealing with this exact situation for the past few months and wanted to share some practical tips that have helped me manage both programs. First, create a simple tracking system - I use a calendar where I mark my unemployment filing days and DSHS reporting deadlines so nothing gets missed. Second, when you call either agency, always ask for a case number or confirmation number for your conversation and write it down. Third, if you're struggling to reach Washington ESD by phone, consider their online messaging system through eServices - sometimes you get faster responses that way. The most important thing I learned is to never assume the agencies talk to each other. You have to be your own advocate and make sure both sides have the same information. It's frustrating and time-consuming, but it's doable once you get into a routine. Also, don't be afraid to ask for supervisors if you get conflicting information from different workers - I've had to do this several times to get clear answers about reporting requirements.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses! I've gone ahead and logged it as a WorkSource activity with "WorkSourceWA.com" as the location. I'll also be attending their orientation workshop tomorrow which will count as my second activity. For my third activity, I've applied for a job I found on Indeed. Hopefully my claim goes through without any issues!

Great to hear you got it sorted out! Just a tip for future weeks - you can also count things like updating your resume on WorkSource, using their job matching tools, or taking any of their online skills assessments as separate WorkSource activities. I've found their career exploration tools really helpful too and they all count toward your requirements. Good luck with your claim!

Awesome news on getting your payment! That 2-day timeline seems to be pretty standard from what I've seen. Just a heads up - make sure to keep filing every Sunday even if you find work, because you might be eligible for partial benefits if your hours are reduced. I made the mistake of stopping my claims when I got a part-time job and then had to restart the whole process later when those hours got cut. ESD is much easier to deal with when you keep everything current!

That's really helpful to know about partial benefits! I'm actually starting a job search now and wasn't sure how that would work if I found something part-time first. @Sasha Ivanov - do you know what the hour/income threshold is for partial benefits? Like if I work 20 hours a week, would I still qualify for some unemployment? I want to make sure I understand the rules before I potentially mess something up with my claim.

One more thing that might help - when you file your application, make sure to keep copies of everything you submit and write down your confirmation number. Washington ESD can sometimes have technical glitches or processing delays, so having your own records helps if you need to follow up. Also, once you're approved, set up direct deposit if possible - it's much faster than waiting for paper checks. Since you're filing for partial benefits, remember you'll need to report your weekly earnings every time you file your weekly claim, even if it's zero some weeks. The key is consistency in filing on time every week to avoid any payment delays. Sounds like you've got a solid plan to apply this weekend!

Since you're filing for partial unemployment due to reduced hours, one thing that might help is to document your typical work schedule before the cuts happened. Keep any texts, emails, or schedules from your manager showing what your hours used to be versus what they are now - this creates a clear record of the reduction. Also, when you file your weekly claims, you'll report your actual earnings for that week, and Washington will calculate your partial benefit based on your weekly benefit amount minus a portion of your earnings (they let you keep some of your wages without it affecting benefits). The system is really designed to encourage people to keep working even reduced hours rather than becoming fully unemployed. Given that you worked consistently for 8 months at retail and the hour cuts are due to business slowdown rather than performance, you should have no problem qualifying!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I feel much more confident about the process now. I'll keep filing my weekly claims and hopefully see that first payment soon. This forum has been incredibly helpful for understanding how Washington ESD actually works.

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this recently. I filed my Washington ESD claim in March and the timeline everyone described here is pretty accurate. Your benefit year starts the Sunday of the week you file, not from your last day of work. The hardest part for me was remembering to file the weekly claims every week - definitely set that phone reminder! Also, if you run into any issues or your claim gets stuck, don't be afraid to seek help getting through to ESD. The peace of mind of knowing what's going on with your claim is worth it when you're already stressed about being unemployed.