Quick update: I received my first payment today! It included all back payments from when I first filed. Such a relief to finally have that money coming in while I continue my job search. The escalation through WorkSource definitely made the difference.

One thing to watch out for: I had a similar situation where my claim was stuck for weeks, then suddenly got approved and paid... only to get an overpayment notice 2 months later because they said they made a mistake! Make sure you don't spend all the back pay immediately if you can help it. Set some aside in case ESD comes back with "oops we didn't mean to pay you that much." Happened to me and several others I know.

Quick update on my earlier comment - I should clarify that while the waiting week status is generally a positive sign, the official approval comes in the form of a determination letter. Since you were laid off (not fired for cause or quit), your claim should be straightforward and likely to be approved.\n\nThe ESD system in 2025 is better than it was during the pandemic years, but there are still delays and glitches. The most important thing right now is to:\n\n1. Continue filing your weekly claims on time\n2. Complete your 3 job search activities each week\n3. Document everything in your WorkSource job search log\n4. Check your online account daily for new letters\n\nIf you haven't seen any determination by the time you file your second weekly claim, then I would recommend trying to contact ESD directly.

Thanks for the additional info! I'll keep filing and documenting everything carefully. If I don't see anything definitive by my second claim, I'll try to contact them directly. Really appreciate all the help!

one thing nobody mentioned - if u hav a disability (even temporary) u might qualify for paid family & medical leave. not technically unemployment but it can give u some income. also food banks are everywhere now and they usually dont ask many questions. better than nothing when ur desperate

Based on the timeline you mentioned, it sounds like you need both immediate assistance and longer-term solutions. Here's what I suggest: 1. Apply for Basic Food benefits today (online through Washington Connection) 2. Contact your local WorkSource office tomorrow about Training Benefits 3. Apply for rental assistance through your county's housing authority 4. Consider part-time or gig work to supplement income while job hunting 5. Check if your profession qualifies for any specialized placement services Also, make sure you're claiming your final two weeks properly. Any mistakes could delay your final payments. Keep detailed records of all your job search activities in case you need them for future benefit eligibility.

I'm in a similar situation! I did yard work for a neighbor and wasn't sure how to report it. The ESD website is SO confusing. Did your benefit amount get reduced by exactly how much you earned from the subbing job? That's what I'm worried about - if I report $50 for mowing a lawn, do they just subtract that from my weekly benefit?

One additional note - make sure you're also listing this work as one of your job search activities for the week! Many people forget that work you actually perform (even part-time or one-day) counts as a job search activity. This helps you meet your 3 required activities per week.

my sister in law had this problem too!!! she ended up having to go to the worksource office in person and they printed it for her. might be worth a try if the online stuff doesnt work

Let me add my experience to the mix - I actually got my 1099-G form in the mail but the online version was nowhere to be found, which made me wonder if they were the same! After spending an entire afternoon trying to figure this out, I called ESD (took forever to get through) and they told me there was a known glitch with the online system where some people could see their forms and others couldn't. They said they're working on fixing it but no timeline was given. Typical. When I asked about what happens if someone never received the mail version, they just said to call and request a new one. But of course you can't get through on the phone! It's a perfect catch-22. The whole unemployment system is designed to be as frustrating as possible, I swear.