the unemployment system is designed to be confusing and frustrating so people give up. dont let them win!!

This is actually really encouraging to hear! I'm currently 3 weeks into adjudication and seeing all these stories gives me hope that there's light at the end of the tunnel. The fact that you got a response the same day after calling the governor's office is amazing - I had no idea that was even an option. One thing that might help while you wait is to document everything - screenshots of your pending issues, dates of any calls or contacts, etc. I've been keeping a detailed log just in case I need to escalate further. Also, have you tried reaching out to your local state representative? I've heard they can sometimes put additional pressure on ESD to move things along. Hang in there - it sounds like your claim is finally getting the attention it deserves!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who's been on Washington unemployment for about 6 months now - the Tuesday morning deposits are super consistent once you get into the system! I usually see mine hit around 3:30 AM. One tip that saved me money: if you need cash from your Way2Go card, you can get cash back at most grocery stores when you buy something (even just a pack of gum) with no fees, instead of paying those $2.50 ATM charges. Also, keep screenshots of your weekly claim confirmations just in case - I had one week where the system glitched and I needed proof that I filed on time. The whole process is stressful at first but becomes much more manageable once you get that first payment and establish the routine!

I'm in a similar boat - just got approved yesterday and I'm anxiously waiting for that first payment! Reading everyone's experiences here is really reassuring. It sounds like Tuesday mornings are pretty consistent once you're in the system, but that first payment can take a bit longer. I'm definitely going to download the Way2Go app like someone suggested and start taking screenshots of my weekly claims. The cash back tip for avoiding ATM fees is genius - I never would have thought of that! Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences, it makes this whole process feel less scary when you know what to expect.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! Sounds like the consensus is to file my weekly claim with work hours and earnings reported, and Washington ESD will handle stopping the benefits automatically. I feel much more confident about doing this correctly now.

Great thread with lots of helpful info! Just to add one more perspective - I went through this same process last year and everything went smoothly. Filed my final weekly claim reporting my new full-time hours and gross pay, got $0 benefit payment for that week (as expected), and my claim automatically went inactive. The key really is just being accurate with your reporting. Washington ESD's system is actually pretty good at handling this transition once you give it the right information. Congratulations on landing the new job - it feels so good to be done with the weekly filing routine!

One more tip that hasn't been mentioned - if your new job is part-time or you're not sure about the hours yet, you might still be eligible for partial unemployment benefits. Don't automatically assume you need to close your claim completely if you're not working full-time hours. Washington ESD has provisions for people who are working reduced hours and can still receive some benefits to supplement their income. Just make sure to report all wages accurately on your weekly claims.

Great comprehensive advice in this thread! One additional detail worth mentioning - when you file your final weekly claim and report your return to work, make sure you also have your employer information ready including their full business name, address, and your supervisor's contact info. Sometimes Washington ESD will want to verify employment directly with your employer, so having all that information accurate and readily available can help speed up the process. Also, if you're eligible for any severance pay or vacation payout from your previous job, make sure you understand how that might affect your benefits timeline. Good luck with the new position!

Just wanted to add that if you're feeling overwhelmed about organizing your job search documentation, you can also use the WorkSource website to log your activities retroactively. They have a job search tracking tool that lets you enter past activities as long as you have the basic info (date, company, position). I did this before my appointment and it made everything much smoother. The counselor was impressed that I had everything organized in their system already. Also, don't forget that attending job fairs, networking events, or even informational interviews count as valid job search activities too - not just applications!

I just had my WorkSource appointment last week and wanted to share my experience to hopefully ease some anxiety! The staff member I met with was genuinely focused on helping me succeed in my job search. They reviewed my job search log (which wasn't perfect either), gave me feedback on my resume, and even practiced interview questions with me. The whole thing took about 45 minutes and felt more like career coaching than an interrogation. They also signed me up for a free workshop on LinkedIn optimization. Most importantly - my benefits continued without any issues! As long as you're making a genuine effort to find work and show up prepared, you'll be fine. Bring whatever documentation you have, be honest about your efforts, and try to view it as getting free career support rather than something to fear.