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Thanks everyone for all the info in this thread. Really helps to understand what the actual situation is instead of guessing or hoping for something that doesn't exist.
I'm in a similar situation - benefits ending in about 3 weeks and getting really anxious about it. This thread has been incredibly helpful in understanding that there really aren't extensions available right now in Washington. I've been putting off looking into other resources because I kept hoping something would come through, but now I realize I need to be more proactive. Going to contact WorkSource this week and maybe look into some of the gig work suggestions mentioned here. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in this struggle, even if the situation isn't ideal.
You're definitely not alone in this - it's such a stressful situation when benefits are running out and the job market feels impossible. I'm glad this thread helped clarify the reality of the situation too. Being proactive now is smart even though it's scary. Have you thought about reaching out to local food banks or utility assistance programs while you're transitioning? Sometimes getting ahead of those basics can take some pressure off while you're figuring out the work situation. Wishing you the best with WorkSource and whatever gig work you explore!
Hey Connor! I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when I came off FMLA. The "processing web" status is totally normal - it just means your claim was submitted online and is in their system waiting to be processed. It usually changes to just "processing" within a few days. For the adjudication part, make sure your doctor's release is super clear about being released for full duty work. Mine took about 2.5 weeks to clear, but I've heard it can vary a lot depending on how busy they are. The key thing is to keep filing your weekly claims even while you're waiting - don't skip any weeks or it'll create more problems later. One tip: if you uploaded your doctor's release through the portal, you should have gotten a confirmation. If not, you might want to call and make sure they actually received it. Sometimes documents don't go through properly and that can add weeks to your wait time.
Thanks Emma! This is really reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same thing. I did get a confirmation when I uploaded my doctor's release, so that's good. 2.5 weeks feels manageable - I was worried it might be months based on some of the horror stories I've been reading online. I'll definitely keep filing my weekly claims like you suggested. Did you have any issues once the adjudication cleared, or did everything go smoothly after that?
I'm going through something similar right now! Just filed my claim last week after coming off medical leave (not FMLA but similar situation). My status also shows "processing web" and I was confused about what it meant too. From what I've gathered reading everyone's responses, it sounds like the key is just being patient and making sure you keep filing those weekly claims. The adjudication process seems frustrating but necessary I guess. @Connor Murphy - have you tried calling early in the morning right when they open? I've heard that's the best time to actually get through to someone if you need to check on your case status. Might be worth a shot if you're getting anxious about the timeline. Good luck with everything! Hopefully we both get through this process smoothly.
@Hazel Garcia Thanks for the tip about calling early! I actually tried that this morning and got through after about 20 minutes on hold, which is way better than the 2+ hours I was waiting yesterday. The agent confirmed my doctor s'release was received and said my case is in "queue for review but" couldn t'give me a specific timeframe. At least I know it s'moving through the system now. Hope your claim processes smoothly too - sounds like we re'both in the same boat with the medical documentation review!
I'm in a similar situation and have been hesitant to start any gig work because of all the conflicting information out there. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful - it sounds like the key is being super accurate with reporting and keeping detailed records. One question I have is about the timing of reporting. If I work Uber Eats on a Sunday but don't get paid until the following Tuesday, do I report those earnings for the week I worked (the week with Sunday) or the week I got paid? I want to make sure I get this right from the start to avoid any flags on my account. Also, has anyone had experience with ESD asking for additional documentation about gig work income beyond just the weekly reporting? I'm wondering if I should be prepared to provide screenshots or other proof upfront.
You report earnings for the week you actually worked, not when you got paid. So if you work Sunday, you'd report those earnings for that week even though the payment comes later. This is really important to get right! As for documentation, I haven't had ESD ask for additional proof during regular weekly reporting, but like @Miles Hammonds mentioned, they can randomly audit claims later. I d'definitely recommend taking screenshots of your daily earnings right from the start - the Uber driver app shows your daily totals which makes it easy to track. Better to have the records and not need them than the other way around. @Freya Larsen gave great advice about reporting gross earnings before expenses. The Uber app will show you exactly what to report each day, so just use those numbers directly.
@Keisha Johnson You re'smart to want to get this right from the beginning! @Aurora Lacasse is absolutely correct about reporting for the week you worked, not when paid. I d also'suggest setting up a simple spreadsheet or even just notes on your phone to track your daily Uber earnings as you go. That way you re not'scrambling at the end of the week trying to remember what you made each day. The Uber driver app keeps good records, but having your own backup is always helpful. One thing I learned is that ESD s weekly'claim questions are pretty straightforward about gig work - they ll ask'if you worked and how much you earned. As long as you re honest'and accurate with those numbers, the system handles gig work just fine. The problems seem to come up when people try to hide income or report incorrectly. Good luck with whatever you decide to do! It sounds like both you and @Isla Fischer are approaching this thoughtfully.
I've been doing Uber Eats while on unemployment for about 6 months now and wanted to share what's worked for me. The most important thing is consistency in your reporting - I report my earnings every single week even if it's just $15 from a couple deliveries. What helped me avoid any flags was being very clear in my job search documentation that the Uber work is temporary supplemental income while I search for full-time employment. I still apply to 3+ regular jobs every week and document everything properly. One tip that saved me time: I take a screenshot of my Uber earnings summary every Sunday night before filing my weekly claim on Monday. That way I have the exact gross amount right there and don't have to dig through the app later. Also, don't stress too much about the earnings deduction formula - the ESD system calculates it automatically when you input your gross earnings. You'll see exactly how it affects your benefit amount before you submit your weekly claim. The key is just being completely transparent about what you're doing. I've never had any issues because I treat the Uber work exactly like I would any other part-time job - report it honestly and keep doing my required job search activities.
Just wanted to add that Washington state actually has pretty clear guidelines for seasonal workers - you're definitely eligible as long as you meet the basic requirements. I've been doing seasonal work (summer camp counselor and winter retail) for three years now and file for benefits during my gap periods without any issues. The $18k you earned should easily qualify you for benefits. One tip: when you file online, there's a section where you can explain your work pattern - mention that you do seasonal work but are actively seeking temporary employment during the off-season. This helps establish that you're genuinely available for work and not just waiting around for your next seasonal position. Also, don't stress too much about the phone system - the online filing process is actually pretty straightforward and you can usually get everything done without having to call.
This is exactly the reassurance I needed! I was worried about explaining the seasonal work pattern, but your suggestion about mentioning that I'm actively seeking temporary employment during the off-season is perfect. I feel much more confident about filing online now rather than dealing with the phone system nightmare everyone's been describing. Thanks for sharing your experience with multiple years of seasonal work - it really helps to hear from someone who's successfully navigated this process before.
I work seasonal jobs too and can confirm that Washington ESD is actually pretty accommodating for seasonal workers. One thing that really helped me was registering with WorkSource immediately after filing my claim - they have job search resources specifically for seasonal and temporary workers. Also, if you're worried about the wage requirements, you can check your quarterly wage statements online once you create your ESD account to see exactly what wages they have on file. With $18k from two different employers, you should be well above the minimum threshold. The whole process took about 2-3 weeks for my first payment to come through, but it was worth it to have that income bridge during the gap between seasons.
CosmicCadet
Lucky you got through! I might try that Claimyr thing next time the website crashes. Still think its ridiculous we have to jump through all these hoops just to file our claims. The system should just WORK!!
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Omar Farouk
•Don't forget that if you miss your filing deadline because of technical issues, you can request a back-date for "good cause." Document everything - screenshots of errors, times you called, etc. ESD is required to accept late filings if their systems were the cause of the delay.
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Ava Martinez
As a newcomer to this system, I'm finding this whole conversation really helpful but also pretty overwhelming! I just started receiving unemployment benefits last week and had no idea there were so many different ways things could go wrong. Should I proactively set up my telephone PIN now even if I plan to file online? And is there a comprehensive guide somewhere that explains all these backup options? I'm worried I'll end up in the same situation if the website crashes on me. Thanks for sharing all your experiences - it's really eye-opening to see what people have to go through just to file their claims!
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