Just wanted to add that if you're in a specialized field with limited local opportunities, you can expand your search geographically and include remote work options. I've been documenting remote job applications and they count the same as local ones. Also, don't forget that informational interviews are really valuable - they count as networking activities and sometimes lead to job opportunities that aren't even posted yet. I've had good luck reaching out to people in my field through LinkedIn for brief coffee chats about their company and industry trends.

Just a heads up for anyone dealing with work search requirements - I learned the hard way that you should also keep records of any job rejections you receive. During my audit, they asked about follow-up activities and outcomes for applications I'd submitted. Having email rejections or notes about phone calls where I was told the position was filled really helped demonstrate that I was actively engaged in the process, not just sending out applications and forgetting about them. Also, if you're using job search websites like Indeed or ZipRecruiter, take screenshots of your application confirmations because those emails don't always come through reliably.

I had a similar issue last year where ESD incorrectly flagged my claim with "excess hours" when I clearly didn't meet the threshold. Turned out there was a glitch in their system that sometimes miscalculates earnings vs. hours worked. When I finally got through to an agent (took forever), they fixed it within 5 minutes and backdated my benefits to include that waiting week. The key is being persistent with calling - try first thing in the morning right when they open at 8 AM, that's when I had the most luck getting through. Also, keep detailed records of exactly what you reported vs. what shows up in your account so you can clearly explain the discrepancy to the agent.

Hey Lydia, I went through something very similar a few months ago. Based on what you've described (16 hours, $320 earnings, $550 WBA), you're definitely well below the excess earnings threshold that Alice mentioned. This sounds like a system error that unfortunately happens more often than it should. A couple of things that helped me: 1) When you call ESD, have your claim confirmation number ready and ask them to walk through exactly how they calculated your earnings for that week. 2) If the first agent can't help, politely ask to speak with a supervisor - sometimes the front-line agents don't have access to fix certain system glitches. 3) Document everything from your call (date, time, agent name/ID, what they told you). The good news is that once they correct the error, they should backdate everything including counting that week as your proper waiting week. Hang in there - it's frustrating but fixable!

I'm in a similar situation at 64 - got laid off from manufacturing after 20 years and trying to figure out the best approach. From what I've read here, it sounds like collecting both is definitely allowed in Washington, but I'm still nervous about making sure I do everything correctly. The reporting requirements seem straightforward enough, but I'm wondering if there are any other gotchas I should watch out for? Also, has anyone had experience with how this affects your job search strategy? I'm worried that potential employers might see me as less motivated if they know I'm collecting Social Security, even though I genuinely want to keep working for several more years.

I want to add something that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand how your Social Security benefit might be affected if you're still under full retirement age (which is 67 for people born in 1960 or later). There's an annual earnings limit that applies to Social Security recipients under full retirement age. For 2025, if you earn more than $23,400 per year from work (not unemployment benefits), Social Security will reduce your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn over that limit. This doesn't apply to unemployment benefits since those aren't considered "earnings" for Social Security purposes, but if you do find part-time or full-time work while collecting both benefits, you'll need to factor this in. Once you reach full retirement age, this earnings test goes away completely. Just another piece of the puzzle to consider when planning your financial strategy during unemployment.

I've been using CashApp for my unemployment deposits for about a year now and wanted to share some reassurance! The timing is pretty reliable - usually 2-3 business days after your weekly claim gets processed, sometimes faster during lighter weeks. A few tips that have made things smoother for me: Download the CashApp debit card if you haven't already - you can sometimes access funds even while they show as "pending." Also, I always screenshot my eServices payment confirmation for my records. Most importantly, don't stress if it takes the full 3 days - that's completely normal and doesn't mean anything went wrong. One heads up though - definitely transfer your unemployment money out of CashApp within a day or two of receiving it. I learned this the hard way when they temporarily held my account after a larger deposit sat there for over a week. The hold got resolved, but it was stressful at the time. Overall CashApp has worked great for me - much better than waiting for paper checks! Your first payment tomorrow should go just fine. Keep us posted on how it goes!

I've been using CashApp for unemployment deposits for about 9 months now and wanted to add some reassurance! The 2-3 day timeline is pretty accurate - I'd say about 80% of my payments arrive within that window, with occasional delays during busy periods like holidays or end of quarters. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you're really anxious about tracking your payment, you can actually call the automated ESD phone line (1-800-318-6022) and it will tell you when your payment was issued and the amount. That way you know for sure it's been sent before you start worrying about CashApp delays. Also, I've found that CashApp deposits from ESD almost always come through between 8 AM and 2 PM on weekdays - so if you don't see it by late afternoon, it's probably coming the next business day. This helped me stop checking my phone obsessively at all hours! Your first payment should go smoothly tomorrow. Even when there have been hiccups, the money has always eventually made it through. CashApp isn't perfect but it's definitely reliable enough for unemployment payments. Keep us updated on how it goes!

Final thought - if you do decide to take the freelance work, just factor the benefit reduction into your decision. Sometimes earning $300 but losing $295 in benefits isn't worth the hassle, depending on the work involved.

Just to add another perspective - I've been doing some gig work while on UI and one thing that helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to track potential earnings vs benefit reductions before taking on projects. For example, if a freelance job pays $400 but I'd lose $395 in benefits (since I get $450/week), I'm only netting $5 plus whatever experience/networking value the work provides. Sometimes it's worth it for the connections, sometimes not. Also worth noting that if you're doing contract work, you might want to consider the tax implications too since you'll be responsible for self-employment taxes on that income.