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Thanks everyone for all this advice! I feel way more confident about managing my work search requirements now. Going to start a spreadsheet today and be more systematic about everything.
Same here! This thread has been super helpful. Good luck with your job search!
Glad this discussion helped! The work search requirements seem overwhelming at first but they're manageable once you get organized.
I just wanted to share what's been working for me - I created a simple template in Google Docs that I fill out each time I do a work search activity. It has fields for date, company name, position title, method of contact, and a notes section. Then I just copy and paste the info when I file my weekly claim. Having a consistent format makes it so much easier to stay organized and I never forget important details. Plus Google Docs saves everything automatically so I don't have to worry about losing my records.
@Holly Lascelles This is such a great idea! I ve'been using a basic spreadsheet but I like the Google Docs approach better since it s'more flexible for adding notes. Do you organize it by week or just chronologically? And have you had any issues with the Washington ESD system when copying and pasting from your template, or does it handle formatted text okay? I m'always worried about technical glitches messing up my weekly claim submission.
@Holly Lascelles This template approach sounds perfect! I ve'been struggling with staying consistent in my documentation. Do you keep separate templates for different types of activities like (one for job applications vs. one for networking events or) do you use one universal template that works for everything? Also curious if you ve'found any particular details that Washington ESD seems to care about most during the claims process - I want to make sure I m'capturing the right level of detail without going overboard.
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One last tip from someone who's been through this - be patient with the process but persistent if something seems wrong. Per diem workers have valid claims, but sometimes you need to educate the system about your specific situation.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about filing now. Going to start my application tomorrow.
Good luck! You've got this. Per diem workers deserve unemployment benefits just like anyone else when work dries up.
I'm also a per diem worker (CNA at a few different facilities) and just wanted to add that when you file, make sure you have all your employer information ready - names, addresses, dates you worked there, etc. The application asks for a lot of detail about each job. Also, don't be discouraged if your claim takes a while to process. Mine took about 4 weeks but I did get approved and received back pay for the waiting period. The key is showing that your hours dropped significantly due to circumstances beyond your control. Good luck with your application!
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FWIW the official Washington ESD statistics page gets updated around the 15th of each month with the previous month's data. So right now you're looking at November 2024 numbers. December data should be out soon and will probably show the seasonal uptick from holiday layoffs.
Good to know the timing. I'll check back in a couple weeks for more current data.
I've been following Washington ESD data for a while and can confirm the current numbers are around 87,000-90,000 people receiving regular UI benefits. However, what's frustrating is that this doesn't include the thousands stuck in adjudication like yourself. From what I've observed, construction layoffs in winter often trigger additional review requirements, which explains your 5-week delay. The system treats seasonal layoffs differently than permanent job losses, requiring verification that it's truly temporary. Your wait time is longer than average but not unheard of for seasonal claims. Have you received any correspondence explaining what specific issue is under review?
That's really helpful context about seasonal layoffs requiring extra verification! I haven't received any specific correspondence about what they're reviewing - just the generic "your claim is under review" message in my online account. It's frustrating not knowing if they need additional information from me or if it's just waiting in a queue somewhere. Do you know if there's a way to find out what specific part of my claim is being reviewed?
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Good luck with everything! This is a really common issue but it's definitely fixable. Don't let your employer's mistake prevent you from getting the benefits you're entitled to.
Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about moving forward now.
You're welcome! Feel free to update us on how it goes.
I'm a newcomer here but this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a domestic worker too (eldercare companion) and had no idea about the unemployment insurance requirements. My current employer has been treating me as a contractor but after reading all these responses, I'm pretty sure I should be classified as an employee - I work set hours, use their supplies, and they direct how I do my work. Does anyone know if the same rules apply to eldercare workers or is it just for nannies and housekeepers?
Welcome to the community! Yes, the same unemployment insurance rules apply to all domestic workers in Washington, including eldercare companions. If you're earning $1,000+ per quarter from a single household employer and they control your work schedule and methods (which it sounds like they do), you should definitely be classified as an employee. The fact that you work set hours and they provide supplies are strong indicators of an employee relationship. You might want to contact Washington ESD to discuss your situation - and like others mentioned, that Claimyr service could help you get through to an agent more easily if the regular phone lines are busy.
Harper Collins
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that Washington ESD also has a waiting week, which means your first week of unemployment won't be paid even if you're approved. So when you're calculating your finances, factor in that you'll get your first payment in week 2, not week 1. Also, if you end up needing to appeal any decision or if there are issues with your claim, it can add weeks to the process. I'd recommend having some emergency savings set aside just in case there are delays. With your $1,000/week earnings for 14 months though, you should qualify without any major issues - that's a solid work history that ESD likes to see.
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Cynthia Love
•Thanks for bringing up the waiting week - that's a really important detail that could catch people off guard financially! I didn't realize there was an unpaid week at the beginning. With everything else going on during a job loss, having to wait an extra week for that first payment could really throw off someone's budget. The emergency savings advice is spot on too. Even with a solid work history, there's always a chance something gets flagged in the system that could delay things. Better to be prepared for potential hiccups than get caught scrambling if the process takes longer than expected.
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Omar Mahmoud
Anna, I went through this exact calculation when I was making similar wages. With your $1,000/week for 14 months, you're actually in a pretty good spot. Washington will look at your highest earning quarter from your base year - so if you've been consistent, that's around $13,000 quarterly. The formula they use typically results in about 50-60% of your weekly wage, so you're probably looking at $600-700 per week in benefits. The fact that you have 14 months of steady earnings means you'll have solid quarters in your base year, which is exactly what their system needs. Don't stress too much about the website being confusing - the actual application process walks you through everything step by step, and with your work history you should qualify without major issues.
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Abigail bergen
•This breakdown is really helpful Omar! The $600-700 range seems to be pretty consistent with what others are saying who've been through this process. It's reassuring to know that having 14 months of steady work history puts me in a good position rather than working against me. I was worried the base year calculations would somehow penalize recent job changes, but it sounds like consistent earnings actually help. Thanks for the encouragement about the application process too - I've been putting off even looking into it because the ESD website seemed so overwhelming, but knowing it's more straightforward once you actually start is really helpful.
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