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Any updates? Did you make any progress with your claim? I'm curious because I have a friend PCSing to JBLM next month and I want to give her realistic expectations.
Yes! Finally got through using Claimyr yesterday. Turns out my claim was actually approved 2 weeks ago but got stuck in their payment processing system because they needed to verify my new Washington address (I still had my California ID when I applied). The agent pushed it through and I should see all my backpay next week. So relieved! Tell your friend to make sure she has a WA ID or at least utility bills in her name at her new address to avoid the same delay.
That's such great news that you finally got it resolved! I'm going through something similar right now - military spouse PCS from Fort Carson to JBLM, been waiting 3 weeks in adjudication. Your tip about the Washington address verification is super helpful. I just moved here last week and still have my Colorado ID, so I should probably get that changed ASAP. Did the Claimyr service cost anything, and how long did it actually take to get through to someone? I've been calling ESD directly for weeks with no luck.
Hey! Yes, Claimyr does cost a small fee (I think it was around $20) but honestly it was worth every penny after weeks of frustration. It took about 25 minutes to get connected to an actual ESD agent, which is amazing compared to the hours I spent on hold getting nowhere. Definitely get that WA ID changed ASAP - that seems to be a common hangup for military families. The agent told me they see this address verification issue a lot with PCS moves. Good luck with your claim!
One more important tip - make sure you print or save digital copies of ALL your weekly claim confirmations, especially the final one. ESD only keeps records accessible to you online for a limited time, and if there's ever a question or audit later, you'll want proof that you properly reported everything. I learned this the hard way!
Congratulations on getting back to work! That's such great news after 3 months on standby. Just want to echo what others have said about filing that final weekly claim - it's really important to do this properly. When you file, make sure to answer truthfully about returning to work and report any earnings from your new job, even if it's just a partial week. Also, keep in mind that if your new position doesn't work out for any reason within the first few weeks, you might be able to reopen your existing claim rather than starting completely over. Best of luck with the new job!
Anyone else notice the Washington ESD website is slower on Sunday mornings? Takes forever to load sometimes.
I just started filing last week and was so confused about the timing too! From what I've learned reading everyone's responses, it sounds like you can file any day of the week as long as it's for the week that already ended. I'm going to try filing on Wednesday mornings to avoid the Sunday rush that some people mentioned. Also going to start taking screenshots of my confirmation pages like Ian suggested - that's really smart advice!
Welcome to the unemployment filing club! Wednesday mornings sound like a solid plan to avoid the weekend rush. I've been filing for a few months now and definitely recommend keeping good records of everything. Also don't stress too much about the timing - as long as you file sometime during the week for the previous week, you're good. The main thing is just being consistent and not skipping weeks even if you think you might not qualify that week.
I'm really sorry to hear about your health struggles, Michael. As others have mentioned, regular unemployment benefits unfortunately don't cover independent contractors like Instacart shoppers. However, I wanted to add a few more resources that might help: 1. Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) - they can connect you with local emergency assistance programs for utilities, food, and rent 2. Check if your area has a Community Action Agency - they often have emergency assistance funds 3. Look into local food banks to help reduce your grocery expenses while you recover 4. Some churches and community organizations also have emergency assistance funds, even if you're not a member Also, don't forget to reach out to Instacart directly - while they don't provide traditional benefits, they sometimes have hardship programs or resources for shoppers facing emergencies. It's worth asking. Hope you get the help you need and recover quickly!
This is such comprehensive advice, thank you Anastasia! I hadn't heard of 211 before - that sounds like exactly what I need right now. And you're right about reaching out to Instacart directly, I didn't even think they might have any kind of hardship programs. I'll definitely give them a call along with all these other resources. It's really overwhelming trying to figure out where to start, but this gives me a clear action plan. Really grateful for this community helping me navigate this mess!
Hey Michael, I went through something similar about 6 months ago when I was doing DoorDash and had to stop working due to a back injury. The reality is tough - as gig workers we really don't have the same safety net as traditional employees. One thing that really helped me was applying for Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) if you don't already have it - at least that covered my medical expenses while I was out of work. Also, many counties have emergency cash assistance programs that aren't well-publicized but can help with immediate needs like rent and utilities. I'd also suggest checking with local churches and nonprofits even if you're not religious - many have discretionary funds for people in crisis situations, no questions asked. The Salvation Army and Catholic Community Services often have emergency assistance programs too. Hang in there, and definitely pursue all the resources Jessica and others mentioned. It's a frustrating system but there are people and programs out there to help bridge the gap while you recover.
Thank you so much Jessica, this is exactly the kind of real-world advice I needed to hear from someone who's actually been through this. I'm definitely going to apply for Washington Apple Health right away - I've been avoiding dealing with my medical bills because I'm so stressed about money, but getting that coverage would be huge. I never would have thought to reach out to churches since I'm not particularly religious, but you're right that it's worth asking. At this point I need to swallow my pride and explore every option available. It's scary how quickly you can go from having steady income to being completely financially vulnerable when you're self-employed. Really appreciate you sharing your experience and giving me hope that there's a path through this mess. Did you end up going back to gig work after you recovered, or did you find something with better benefits?
Freya Andersen
This thread has been really helpful. I'm in a similar situation and was worried about losing my benefits. Sounds like it's more straightforward than I thought.
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Yuki Tanaka
•Glad we could help! The key is staying compliant with all the requirements regardless of where you live.
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Andre Moreau
I went through this exact same situation last year when I moved from Washington to Nevada while collecting unemployment. You absolutely can keep your Washington ESD benefits - just make sure you update your address in the system and continue meeting all the work search requirements. The most important thing is to be completely transparent about your move if they ask. I never had any issues and collected benefits for the full duration while living out of state. Oregon should be even easier since it's right next door and has a good job market. You're making a smart financial decision by reducing your living expenses while job hunting.
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Carmella Fromis
•This is really reassuring to hear from someone who actually went through it! Did you have to do anything special when you updated your address, or was it just a simple change in the online portal? I'm planning the move to Oregon in the next few weeks and want to make sure I don't miss any steps.
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