Just wanted to add that if you do become an exhaustee and need to file a new claim, the process is basically the same as your original filing. But they'll look at a different base period for your wages, so gather all your pay stubs and tax documents.

This thread has been super helpful! I'm in a similar situation with about 4 weeks left on my claim. One thing I learned from calling ESD is that you can actually check if you might qualify for a new claim before you exhaust by looking at your wage history in eServices. If you worked any W-2 jobs after your original claim date, those wages might count toward a new base period. It's worth checking early so you're not scrambling when your benefits end.

I'm in a really similar boat and this conversation is giving me hope that there might be a path forward. I've been at my current job for about 6 months and the anxiety I feel every Sunday night before the work week starts is getting unbearable. My manager constantly criticizes my work in front of other team members and assigns impossible deadlines that set me up to fail. I've started having panic attacks in the bathroom at work, which never happened before this job. Reading about everyone's experiences with documentation makes me realize I need to start being more systematic about tracking these incidents. Has anyone here successfully used text messages or emails as evidence? I have some messages from my supervisor that are pretty harsh and unprofessional. Also wondering if anyone knows whether Washington ESD considers the size of the company when evaluating accommodation requests - my workplace only has 12 employees so there's no real HR department to go through.

I've been through this exact process and want to share what I learned the hard way. First, don't underestimate how thorough Washington ESD's investigation will be - they contacted my former employer, reviewed all my medical records, and asked incredibly detailed questions during the phone interview. The key thing that helped my case was having a comprehensive treatment plan that showed I was actively working on my mental health while also demonstrating that my specific workplace was the primary trigger. Make sure your therapist understands they may need to speak with ESD directly - mine had to do a brief phone interview to verify the medical necessity of my resignation. Also, be prepared for your employer to potentially contest your claim. They'll likely argue that you never formally requested accommodations or that your performance issues were unrelated to your mental health. Having that paper trail everyone mentioned is crucial. One thing I wish I'd known earlier is that you can request your personnel file from your employer after you quit - sometimes there are documented performance discussions or complaints that actually support your case by showing the hostile work environment. The whole process took about 10 weeks for me, but I was eventually approved and received full backpay. Hang in there and document everything you can.

this thread should be pinned, super useful info about payment timing that everyone needs to know

Just wanted to add my experience - I'm a newcomer to Washington unemployment and was also confused about payment timing at first. I've been filing every Sunday morning and consistently getting paid on Tuesday (I have Bank of America). The key thing I learned is to file as early as possible on Sunday and make sure all your work search activities are logged properly. Also, the ESD website payment calendar that Marcus mentioned is really helpful for planning - it shows you exactly which Tuesday or Wednesday your payment will come based on your filing week. Hope this helps other newcomers!

Good luck! One more tip - if they do reject anything, make sure to resubmit right away with clearer photos. Sometimes the rejection isn't because of the document type but just image quality. And don't hesitate to call if it's been more than a week with no response.

Just wanted to add that I used my voter registration card along with my lease agreement when I went through this process a couple months ago. The voter registration worked great as an additional form of ID verification since it had my current address on it. Also, pro tip for the selfie - I found it easier to hold just 2-3 documents at a time and take multiple photos rather than trying to cram everything into one shot. They were totally fine with me submitting 3 separate selfies as long as each one clearly showed me holding the documents. Made the whole process way less stressful!

Bottom line - take the severance, file for unemployment, be honest about both. Washington state is generally pretty reasonable about this stuff compared to some other states. You're dealing with a layoff situation which is exactly what unemployment benefits are designed for.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when my company did layoffs. I was so worried about messing something up, but it turned out to be much more straightforward than I expected. I received a $12,000 severance package and was still able to collect full unemployment benefits from Washington ESD. The key thing that helped me was calling them directly (eventually got through after many attempts) and just being completely upfront about the severance during my initial interview. The representative told me that as long as it's a true severance payment and not wages for a specific notice period, it doesn't affect eligibility. I'd recommend documenting everything about your severance agreement and being prepared to explain the details when you file. Washington ESD seems to handle these situations pretty routinely - you're definitely not the first person to be in this spot!