I'm going through something very similar right now - had to quit my retail job last month due to panic attacks that were getting worse every day. The constant stress was making my depression unbearable. I haven't filed my Washington ESD claim yet because I wasn't sure if quitting for mental health reasons would qualify, but reading through all these responses gives me hope. It's scary not having income coming in, but I know staying at that job would have made things so much worse. Thanks for posting this question - it's helping more people than just you!

I went through this exact process with Washington ESD about 6 months ago after quitting due to severe depression and anxiety. Here's what helped my case get approved: 1) I had my psychiatrist write a detailed letter explaining how my mental health condition made it medically necessary to leave work immediately, 2) I documented all my symptoms and how they were affecting my job performance, and 3) I filed my claim online within a few days of quitting. The adjudication took about 10 weeks, which was stressful, but they ultimately approved it. The key is having solid medical documentation that shows continuing work would have been harmful to your health. Your therapist's records will be crucial - make sure they can provide a letter stating that immediate separation from work was medically necessary for your recovery. Don't let anyone discourage you from applying - mental health is just as valid as physical health conditions. Good luck!

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now! Filed in late December, went through weeks of adjudication, and now I have that mysterious "processing web" status after filing my weekly claims. It's so stressful not knowing what's happening, especially when you're counting on that money for basic expenses. Reading through everyone's responses here is giving me some hope though. It sounds like being able to file the weekly claims is actually a positive sign, even without the official approval letter. I've been afraid to get my hopes up but maybe I should be more optimistic. Has anyone here had experience with how long the "processing web" status typically lasts before it changes to something more definitive? I'm in a similar boat with rent coming due and trying to figure out if I should expect payment this week or if I need to make other arrangements.

I just wanted to share my recent experience since it sounds so similar to yours! I filed in mid-December and went through the same "processing web" limbo after adjudication. The good news is that after about 4 business days of that status, everything suddenly switched to "paid" and I received payment via direct deposit 2 days later. One thing that really helped me was setting up text notifications through the ESD website if you haven't already - I got a text the moment my status changed, which was way less stressful than constantly logging in to check. Also, I discovered that even though I never got a formal approval letter, there was actually a brief notice buried in my correspondence inbox that I had missed. The fact that you can file weekly claims is definitely a strong indicator that your initial eligibility looks good to them. Just make sure to keep filing every single week regardless of what the status shows - that was advice I got here that saved me from missing any potential payments. Hang in there, it sounds like you're really close!

I went through this exact same situation last year with my "Content Marketing Specialist" title. The key thing I learned is that Washington ESD really doesn't care about the exact title match - they're looking at your actual work duties and wage history. I ended up choosing "Marketing Specialist" too and had zero issues with my claim. The whole process felt intimidating at first, but once you submit it, you realize it's not as critical as it seems. Just make sure your work history and earnings info is accurate - that's what really matters for your benefit calculation.

I just went through this same issue a few months ago with my job title "Social Media Marketing Coordinator" - definitely go with Marketing Specialist like everyone's suggesting. I was worried about it too but realized I was making it way more complicated than it needed to be. The occupation code is really just for their data tracking, not for determining your eligibility or benefit amount. What matters most is that your previous employer reports your wages correctly to Washington ESD. I picked Marketing Specialist and my claim was approved without any questions about the occupation choice. Don't let this small detail hold up your application!

Just a reminder that if you're having ongoing payment issues, you can also try contacting your bank to make sure there aren't any holds or flags on incoming ACH transfers from government agencies.

I'm also dealing with payment delays right now - my claim has shown 'paid' for 6 business days but still no deposit. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful though. It sounds like delays of 4-6 days aren't uncommon lately, even if the official timeframe is 2-3 days. I'm going to double-check my direct deposit info and maybe give it a couple more days before trying to contact ESD. Thanks for sharing your experiences everyone!

I just went through this process in February and wanted to add my experience! My first PFML payment took 11 business days from filing my weekly claim to receiving the direct deposit. What really helped me was calling my bank to confirm they had my account set up to receive ACH transfers from Washington State - apparently some banks have extra security measures that can delay government payments by a day or two. Also, I noticed that PFML payments often come through on Wednesdays or Thursdays, so don't panic if you don't see it on Monday/Tuesday. The "Payment Processing" status you mentioned is exactly what mine showed for about 4 days before switching to "Payment Sent." Once it switches to "Payment Sent," you should see the money within 1-2 business days max. One last tip: make sure to keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the first payment! I almost forgot to file my second weekly claim because I was so focused on waiting for the first payment, and that would have delayed everything even more. Good luck!

I'm currently waiting for my first PFML payment too and this thread has been incredibly informative! I submitted my weekly claim on Tuesday and it's showing "Claim Submitted" status. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I should expect to wait about 7-14 business days for that first payment. One thing I wanted to mention that might help others - I called the PFML customer service line early this morning (around 7:30 AM) and actually got through after only 15 minutes on hold! The representative confirmed that first payments do take longer because they have to verify everything is set up correctly in their system. She also mentioned that if you have any banking changes or issues with direct deposit, it's better to resolve them now rather than after a payment fails. For anyone still waiting like us, she said the best times to call are right when they open (7 AM) or during lunch hours (12-1 PM) when call volume tends to be lower. Hope this helps someone avoid the frustration others mentioned about not being able to get through!