Bottom line for OP: File your initial claim today, be prepared to file weekly claims every week (including the unpaid waiting week), and start your job search immediately. Don't overthink it - just get the process started.

Just to add another perspective - I work at a nonprofit that helps people with unemployment claims, and we see this confusion about timing constantly. The absolute most important thing is to file your initial claim the day after your last day of work, no exceptions. Don't wait for your final paycheck, don't wait for paperwork from your employer, don't wait for anything. The Washington ESD system is designed to process claims in the order they're received, and any delay just pushes back when you'll start receiving benefits. Also, keep in mind that even though the first week is unpaid, filing that weekly claim is crucial for establishing your benefit year dates correctly.

Holy cow, Oliver! I just read through this entire thread and I'm absolutely livid on your behalf. 10+ weeks without income because your employer had the nerve to falsely claim you "quit" from what was clearly a documented mass layoff?? That's beyond infuriating - there should be serious penalties for employers who file bogus disputes like that. I'm so relieved you finally got through using Claimyr and discovered what was actually happening. The fact that ESD never sent you the adjudication questionnaire is a massive system failure that could have left you hanging indefinitely. I'm definitely bookmarking that Claimyr service - it's ridiculous that we need third-party help just to reach our own state agencies, but if it works then it's worth every penny. Your whole experience really highlights how broken ESD's communication system is and how many people are probably stuck in similar situations right now without even knowing why. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they actually stick to that 72-hour timeline they promised you and approve everything with full backpay. After everything you've been through, they better make this right! Thanks for sharing your journey and all the helpful tips - this thread is going to be a goldmine for anyone else dealing with ESD nightmares.

This thread is absolutely incredible - Oliver, you've been through such an ordeal! I'm a new member here but had to jump in because your story perfectly illustrates everything that's wrong with ESD's system right now. The fact that you were part of a documented layoff with 12 other people and your employer STILL had the audacity to contest it as a "quit" is just outrageous. That's basically filing a false report and there should be consequences for that kind of behavior. What really gets me is that you went 10+ weeks in complete limbo because they never sent you the adjudication paperwork you were supposed to receive. That's not just inconvenient - that's a fundamental failure of due process. How are you supposed to defend your claim if you don't even know there's something to defend against? I'm definitely saving that Claimyr recommendation - it's sad that we need third-party services just to communicate with our own state agencies, but if it actually gets results then it's clearly worth it. Your persistence in trying every avenue and documenting everything is going to help so many people who stumble across this thread in similar situations. Really hoping that 72-hour timeline they promised you actually holds up and you get approved with full backpay for all those weeks. After everything you've endured, they owe you way more than just the benefits - the stress and financial hardship caused by their system failures is inexcusable. Please keep us posted on the outcome!

Bottom line for OP - you get 26 weeks maximum, but start job searching seriously now because those weeks disappear quick. Don't wait until week 20 to get desperate like some people do.

Just wanted to add that you should also be aware of the weekly certification requirements to maintain your benefits during those 26 weeks. You have to file your weekly claim every week (usually on Sunday) and answer questions about your job search activities, any work you did, and whether you were available for work. Missing even one weekly certification can interrupt your benefits, so set a reminder! I learned this the hard way when I forgot to file one week and had to deal with the hassle of getting it reinstated.

I've been using Chime for unemployment for about 8 months now and this delay pattern is super consistent. ESD processes on their end (shows as "paid") but the actual ACH transfer to Chime takes an extra 1-3 business days depending on when it's initiated. I've learned to mentally add 2 days to whatever date ESD shows to avoid the stress. It's annoying but at least it's predictable once you know the pattern. Glad your money came through!

This thread has been so helpful! I'm also using Chime for unemployment and had a similar scare last week when my payment showed "paid" on Friday but didn't appear until Tuesday. I actually called both ESD and Chime multiple times before finding this community and learning it's totally normal. The stress is real when you're counting on that money! For anyone else going through this - it seems like the weekend processing delay plus Chime's ACH timing just creates this perfect storm of anxiety. But based on everyone's experiences here, the money does eventually show up, just with that extra 1-3 day buffer. Thanks for sharing your update too @Amara - it's always good to hear these stories have happy endings!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses! I feel like I understand the difference now and can stop worrying about whether I'm doing something wrong with my unemployment claim.

I went through the same confusion when I first started my unemployment claim! The acronyms and similar-sounding program names make it so much harder than it needs to be. What helped me was thinking of it this way: Washington ESD unemployment is temporary income replacement while you're actively looking for work, while SSI is long-term support for people who can't work due to permanent disabilities. Completely different situations and agencies. You're doing nothing wrong by collecting your UI benefits - that's exactly what the program is designed for!