Thanks for this thread. I bookmarked it in case I need this info later. Unemployment system seems complicated but at least there are ways to get help.

Great thread! I just wanted to add that if anyone is still struggling to find their EAN, you can also check if your employer ever sent you any year-end tax documents early or if you have access to any online payroll systems (like ADP or Paychex) where the EAN might still be visible even if the company closed. Sometimes those systems stay active for a while after closure for tax purposes. Also, if the restaurant was part of a larger chain or franchise, the parent company might still have records they can help you access.

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.

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.

I just wanted to follow up and say THANK YOU to everyone who responded! I was really worried when that random $8 showed up, but reading all your experiences has been so reassuring. It sounds like these retroactive adjustment payments are way more common than I realized. I'm going to wait for the explanation letter like several of you suggested, and I feel much better knowing this is just ESD catching up on old wage corrections. This community is amazing - you all saved me from a lot of unnecessary stress and probably hours on hold with ESD's phone system!

I had this exact same thing happen to me about 6 months ago! Got a random $11.50 deposit from ESD and was totally confused since I hadn't filed in over 2 years. Just like everyone else is saying, I eventually got a letter explaining it was a "retroactive benefit adjustment" due to updated wage information. Turned out one of my previous employers had submitted corrected quarterly reports that slightly increased my original benefit calculation. The whole process took about 10 days from when I received the deposit to when the letter arrived. Don't stress about it - the money is legitimately yours and this happens way more often than most people realize!

The whole system seems designed to be confusing honestly. Between figuring out benefit amounts, work search requirements, and actually getting through to talk to someone when you have questions, it's like they don't want people to get benefits. At least there are resources now like that Claimyr service to help navigate the phone system.

Bottom line for the original question - your unemployment benefit will probably be somewhere between $300-600 per week based on your wage history. The exact amount depends on your highest earning quarter, but that manufacturing job at $22/hour should qualify you for a decent benefit. File as soon as possible and keep detailed job search records from day one.

Just checking back - did your payment arrive? Most banks should have processed it by now if ESD issued it on Friday.

So glad to hear your payment finally came through! BECU definitely doesn't process on weekends - I've learned that the hard way too. For anyone else reading this who's still waiting, don't panic if it shows "paid" on Friday and doesn't hit your account until Monday or Tuesday. Credit unions especially tend to be slower with ACH processing compared to the big banks. The key thing is once ESD shows "paid" the money is definitely coming, it's just a matter of waiting for the banking system to catch up.