This is such a great success story! I'm currently in a similar situation where I have a job offer but won't start for several weeks. Seeing that you got it all sorted out with the standby status gives me hope that the process can actually work smoothly when done correctly. Thanks for sharing the update - it's really helpful to see the full resolution of these kinds of situations!

This whole thread is incredibly helpful! I'm just starting my job search after being laid off last month, so it's good to know the process for when I hopefully find something. Emma, congratulations on landing the position - 4 months of searching must have been really stressful. It's reassuring to see that ESD actually handled this correctly when you reported everything properly with the future start date. I'm definitely saving this thread for reference!

Just wanted to share some encouragement for everyone in this thread! I'm a graduate student who successfully received UI benefits last year after losing my research assistant position. The process definitely felt overwhelming at first, but it's absolutely doable. A few things that helped me: 1) I applied online late at night when the system was less busy, 2) I was completely transparent about being a student from day one, and 3) I emphasized my willingness to work around my class schedule. The weekly job search requirement actually helped me stay motivated to find new employment. For those worried about the financial aid impact - yes, UI counts as income on FAFSA, but for me it was the difference between staying in school or dropping out, so it was worth it. The financial aid office was understanding when I explained the circumstances during my aid review. Don't let fear of the unknown keep you from applying if you need the support!

When I lost my server job in 2018, I was taking full time classes, but had been working for 30 hours a week for three years. I went through three months of fighting the unemployment department for not being “eligible” for unemployment. They said that because of my class schedule I was considered “not available for work” and I would only be approved for it if 1. I dropped out of school so my schedule was wide open or 2. I enrolled in a commissioner approved training program (CAT), which is like a tech school program. I was 8 months away from graduating with my four year degree, so I couldn’t do either of those things. I even showed them data on the projected annual job growth in the field I was getting a degree in and my consistent work history. It’s a huge flaw in the system that leaves university/college students vulnerable.

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble getting through to ESD by phone, you can also try using the secure messaging system in your online account. I've had better luck getting responses that way, especially for status changes like requesting StandBy/union dispatch status. It usually takes 3-5 business days to get a response, but at least you don't have to sit on hold forever. When you message them, be sure to include your husband's social security number, claim confirmation number, and specifically mention that he needs "StandBy status for union member with exclusive hiring hall dispatch system" and reference his Local 41 membership. Attach any union documentation you have right in that first message. Also, while waiting for resolution, make sure he's checking in with the hall daily if possible - not just weekly. The more documentation of his availability through the proper union channels, the stronger your appeal case will be.

As someone who just went through this exact same situation with my spouse (also a union carpenter), I can confirm everything everyone is saying here is spot on. The key is getting that StandBy status established ASAP. One thing I'd add - when your husband calls or messages ESD, have him mention that he's "subject to recall" by his union. That's another phrase they recognize that helps clarify the union dispatch situation. Also, if Local 41 has an ESD liaison or unemployment coordinator (many locals do), definitely reach out to them. Our local had someone who knew exactly how to handle these situations and could even conference call with ESD if needed. The whole system really is designed around non-union job searching, which is why this happens so frequently to union members. But once you get the right status code in the system, future claims should go much smoother. Hang in there - this will get resolved!

I'm going through something very similar right now! Got approved in September but every weekly claim shows "disqualified" with zero explanation. I've been calling ESD for weeks with no luck getting through. One thing I noticed - when I log into eServices and look at my weekly claims, there's sometimes a tiny "i" icon next to the disqualified status that you have to hover over to see additional info. It's super easy to miss, but it might give you a clue about what's causing the disqualification. Also, have you tried reaching out to your local WorkSource office? They sometimes have direct lines to ESD or can help escalate cases. I'm planning to visit mine in person this week since the phone system is basically useless. Keep us posted on what you find out - dealing with this while unemployed is so stressful!

This is such a frustrating situation and you're definitely not alone! I went through something almost identical earlier this year. In my case, it turned out to be a combination of issues - my employer had disputed part of my claim (which I had no idea about), and there was also a flag on my account because I had briefly worked in Oregon before moving to Washington. The really maddening thing is that the approval letter you received only covers the monetary eligibility part - meaning you earned enough wages to qualify for benefits. But there can be separate non-monetary issues (like employer disputes, identity verification problems, or interstate work complications) that prevent actual payment, and these often don't show up clearly in your account. I finally got through using a combination of calling right when they open at 8 AM and also trying the callback option if it's available that day. When I did reach someone, they found three separate issues on my account that weren't visible to me online. It took about 45 minutes on the phone to sort everything out, but once they did, all my back payments were processed within a few days. Don't give up! The system is definitely broken in terms of communication, but there are real people who can fix these issues once you reach them.

One more thing - if you had any issues with your 1099-G or need clarification on amounts, definitely try to resolve it before filing. Much easier than dealing with amended returns later.

Just wanted to add that if you're using tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or FreeTaxUSA, they'll usually have a specific section for unemployment income where you enter your 1099-G information. Don't try to manually calculate the tax - let the software do it for you. It will automatically add the unemployment benefits to your other income and calculate your total tax liability. The key is just making sure you have that 1099-G from Washington ESD before you start filing.