I went through this exact same situation a few months ago and can confirm what others have said - it's a mandatory one-week waiting period for all regular unemployment benefits in Washington. The key thing that saved me a lot of stress was understanding that this waiting period is built into the system, not a sign that something is wrong with your claim. I'd recommend checking your eServices account regularly to make sure your weekly claims are being processed correctly. Also, if you're like me and need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your specific situation, don't waste time trying to call during peak hours (Monday mornings are the worst). I found early mornings or late afternoons work better, though even then it can take multiple attempts. The waiting period definitely stings when you're already dealing with job loss, but at least you know exactly what to expect timeline-wise. Hang in there!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said about the one-week waiting period being mandatory - it's definitely frustrating but totally normal. One thing that helped me when I was in your shoes was setting up direct deposit right away if you haven't already. Even though you won't get paid for that first week, having direct deposit ready means your payments from week 2 onward will hit your account faster than waiting for a debit card or check. Also, make sure you're keeping detailed records of all your job search activities from day one, including during the waiting period week. Washington ESD can audit your job search log at any time, and you don't want to be scrambling to recreate that information later. The whole system feels designed to be confusing, but once you get into the rhythm of weekly filings it becomes routine. You've got this!

As a quick follow-up - besides the Health Benefit Exchange, also check if your previous employer is required to offer COBRA continuation coverage. It's usually expensive but provides the exact same coverage you had before. Also, once your adjudication is complete and your claim is approved, make sure to update your income information with the Health Benefit Exchange so your subsidies are calculated correctly.

That's great news about finding an affordable plan! $137/month is so much better than $780 for COBRA. Just a heads up - when you apply, make sure to select "Loss of other health coverage" as your qualifying life event so you can enroll outside of open enrollment. Also, if your chronic condition requires specific doctors or specialists, double-check that they're in the plan's network before you finalize. You can usually find provider directories on the insurance company's website. Hope your adjudication gets resolved soon too - the whole process is such a stress when you're dealing with health issues on top of everything else!

One more thing to consider - even if your claim isn't in full adjudication, there might be a mandatory waiting week. In Washington, the first week you're eligible is usually a waiting week where you don't get paid. But you still need to file a claim for that week! This is separate from adjudication issues.

Update on your "pending issue" status - that definitely means something is flagged in your claim that needs resolution. It could be anything from identity verification to employer response issues. Unfortunately, these can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to resolve, depending on the complexity and current ESD workload. Your best option is to speak directly with an ESD representative to find out what specifically is causing the pending issue and if there's anything you can do to help resolve it faster. Keep filing those weekly claims in the meantime!

One last piece of advice - gather all these documents before applying for Training Benefits: 1. Program information including start/end dates, cost, and curriculum 2. Labor market information showing CDL jobs are in demand (your WorkSource office can help with this) 3. A statement explaining why your current skills aren't marketable or why you can't return to your previous occupation 4. Documentation of any barriers to employment in your previous field Having all this ready will speed up your application process significantly. And definitely work with your local WorkSource office - they have Training Benefits specialists who can review your application before you submit it.

Just want to add that when you're documenting barriers to employment in warehouse management, consider mentioning any physical limitations or age discrimination issues if they apply to your situation. I'm in my 50s and found that many warehouse jobs were either too physically demanding or employers seemed hesitant to hire older workers for management positions. The CDL field actually values experienced workers more. Also, if you're looking at local CDL schools, check if any community colleges offer CDL programs - they're often on the approved provider list and sometimes cost less than private schools. Good luck with your application!

One last tip - if you're unsure about anything, it's better to ask Washington ESD directly rather than guess. Getting wrong information from online forums (even well-meaning advice) can sometimes lead to problems with your claim.

Just want to add that if you're doing graphic design contract work like the OP, make sure you understand the difference between being an independent contractor vs. an employee. If a client is controlling your hours, providing equipment, or treating you like an employee, that could affect how Washington ESD views your earnings. True independent contractor work is what allows you to collect partial unemployment benefits while working.