One more helpful tip - set a weekly reminder on your phone or calendar to file your claim! I use Sunday at 7 AM so I never forget. Missing even one week can really complicate things, and it's so easy to lose track of time when you're dealing with unemployment stress. The consistency helps make it feel less overwhelming too.

Just want to add - when you're filing your weekly claim, pay attention to the questions about being "able and available" for work. If you're sick or have other circumstances that prevent you from working that week, you need to answer honestly. I made the mistake of saying I was available when I had the flu, and it caused issues later when they cross-referenced with my job search activities (or lack thereof that week). It's better to be truthful even if it affects that week's benefits than to risk having problems down the road.

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago when I got laid off from my retail job. I was so worried about losing my medicaid coverage because I really needed it for my medications. But like everyone else has said, you can definitely have both! The unemployment payments do count as income for medicaid purposes, but since my UI was only about $350 a week (way less than my job was paying), I had no problem keeping my medicaid coverage. The most important thing is to call your medicaid caseworker as soon as you get that first unemployment payment - don't wait. I made that mistake and waited almost a month to report it, and they weren't happy about that. But once I explained the situation and provided the documentation, everything was fine. Also, keep all your paperwork from both agencies organized because sometimes they'll ask for proof of your unemployment amount. It's actually kind of nice having both programs working together - gives you a safety net while you're job hunting. Hope this helps and good luck with your search!

I'm currently going through this same situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I got laid off from my job about three weeks ago and was really stressed about potentially losing my medicaid coverage when I started receiving unemployment benefits. Reading everyone's experiences here has given me so much peace of mind. I've been putting off calling my medicaid caseworker because I was worried they'd immediately cancel my coverage, but now I understand that being upfront about the income change is actually the best approach. My unemployment weekly amount will probably be around $450, which is still way less than what I was making at my job, so hopefully I'll continue to qualify. I'm planning to call my caseworker this week as soon as my first unemployment payment comes through. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it really helps to know that other people have successfully navigated this process!

Just to add one more thing - the notification your employer gets is pretty basic and factual. It's not like they're getting a detailed essay about why you left or anything dramatic. It's mostly just confirming employment dates and separation reason.

I went through this exact same worry when I filed my claim in Washington about 6 months ago. Yes, your employer will get notified, but honestly it was way less dramatic than I built it up in my head. The notice they receive is just a standard form - very bureaucratic and matter-of-fact. My former manager never even mentioned it to me when we ran into each other later. Most employers deal with these notifications regularly and it's really just part of normal business operations. Don't let anxiety about the notification process delay you from filing if you need the benefits - that's what the system is there for!

Hope this all works out for you OP. The waiting week is just a minor bump in the road once you get your claim sorted out.

Just to add another perspective - I went through this exact situation last year. The adjudication process can feel endless when you're waiting, but once it's resolved, the waiting week timing becomes much clearer. In my case, I was approved on a Tuesday and my waiting week was the Sunday-Saturday period that included that Tuesday. Even though I only had a few days left in that week when approved, the whole week counted as my waiting week. The key thing to remember is that you'll still need to file your weekly claim for that waiting week - you just won't receive payment for it. Make sure you report any job search activities and wages accurately during that week too, because it all still counts toward your ongoing eligibility. Hang in there - the process is stressful but it does get sorted out!

Last thing I'll add - make sure you have a reliable way to access the internet for your weekly claims. The Washington ESD system is mostly online now and you'll need to log in every week. Don't rely on just your phone if you can avoid it.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I went through this exact situation last month. I was laid off from my job at a manufacturing plant and filed my claim the very next day online at esd.wa.gov. The whole application took me about 40 minutes, and I had my confirmation within a few hours. My first payment came exactly 3 weeks later (after the one-week waiting period and processing time). The key is having all your documents ready - I had my Social Security card, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months organized beforehand. Don't overthink it, just get that application submitted as soon as possible!