Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble getting through to ESD by phone, you can also try using the secure messaging system in your online account. I've had better luck getting responses that way, especially for status changes like requesting StandBy/union dispatch status. It usually takes 3-5 business days to get a response, but at least you don't have to sit on hold forever. When you message them, be sure to include your husband's social security number, claim confirmation number, and specifically mention that he needs "StandBy status for union member with exclusive hiring hall dispatch system" and reference his Local 41 membership. Attach any union documentation you have right in that first message. Also, while waiting for resolution, make sure he's checking in with the hall daily if possible - not just weekly. The more documentation of his availability through the proper union channels, the stronger your appeal case will be.

As someone who just went through this exact same situation with my spouse (also a union carpenter), I can confirm everything everyone is saying here is spot on. The key is getting that StandBy status established ASAP. One thing I'd add - when your husband calls or messages ESD, have him mention that he's "subject to recall" by his union. That's another phrase they recognize that helps clarify the union dispatch situation. Also, if Local 41 has an ESD liaison or unemployment coordinator (many locals do), definitely reach out to them. Our local had someone who knew exactly how to handle these situations and could even conference call with ESD if needed. The whole system really is designed around non-union job searching, which is why this happens so frequently to union members. But once you get the right status code in the system, future claims should go much smoother. Hang in there - this will get resolved!

I'm going through something very similar right now! Got approved in September but every weekly claim shows "disqualified" with zero explanation. I've been calling ESD for weeks with no luck getting through. One thing I noticed - when I log into eServices and look at my weekly claims, there's sometimes a tiny "i" icon next to the disqualified status that you have to hover over to see additional info. It's super easy to miss, but it might give you a clue about what's causing the disqualification. Also, have you tried reaching out to your local WorkSource office? They sometimes have direct lines to ESD or can help escalate cases. I'm planning to visit mine in person this week since the phone system is basically useless. Keep us posted on what you find out - dealing with this while unemployed is so stressful!

This is such a frustrating situation and you're definitely not alone! I went through something almost identical earlier this year. In my case, it turned out to be a combination of issues - my employer had disputed part of my claim (which I had no idea about), and there was also a flag on my account because I had briefly worked in Oregon before moving to Washington. The really maddening thing is that the approval letter you received only covers the monetary eligibility part - meaning you earned enough wages to qualify for benefits. But there can be separate non-monetary issues (like employer disputes, identity verification problems, or interstate work complications) that prevent actual payment, and these often don't show up clearly in your account. I finally got through using a combination of calling right when they open at 8 AM and also trying the callback option if it's available that day. When I did reach someone, they found three separate issues on my account that weren't visible to me online. It took about 45 minutes on the phone to sort everything out, but once they did, all my back payments were processed within a few days. Don't give up! The system is definitely broken in terms of communication, but there are real people who can fix these issues once you reach them.

One more thing - if you had any issues with your 1099-G or need clarification on amounts, definitely try to resolve it before filing. Much easier than dealing with amended returns later.

Just wanted to add that if you're using tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or FreeTaxUSA, they'll usually have a specific section for unemployment income where you enter your 1099-G information. Don't try to manually calculate the tax - let the software do it for you. It will automatically add the unemployment benefits to your other income and calculate your total tax liability. The key is just making sure you have that 1099-G from Washington ESD before you start filing.

Just wanted to add my experience from when I was laid off from a fintech company in Bellevue last year. I had a very similar situation - 4 months severance with a 9-month non-compete that covered pretty much every major tech company in the area. I applied for unemployment immediately and was approved while receiving severance payments. The key things I learned: 1) ESD really doesn't care about your non-compete - that's between you and your former employer 2) You MUST report the severance on your weekly claims, but it won't reduce your UI benefits 3) Keep detailed records of your job search activities, especially when you have to pass on opportunities due to the non-compete The trickiest part was documenting "suitable work" searches when so many positions were off-limits due to the non-compete. I ended up applying for roles at startups, consulting positions, and even some adjacent industries like healthcare tech and education tech that weren't direct competitors. One thing that really helped was attending virtual networking events and job fairs through WorkSource - those count toward your job search requirements and helped me find opportunities outside my usual network that wouldn't violate the agreement. Definitely don't wait to apply - I know people who lost weeks of benefits thinking they had to choose between severance and unemployment. You can have both!

I'm in a very similar boat - just got laid off from my marketing tech job in Tacoma and they're offering 10 weeks severance with a 6-month non-compete. This thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I'm wondering about that I haven't seen mentioned - has anyone dealt with how the timing of severance payments affects the weekly claim filing? My HR said the severance will be paid as a lump sum upfront rather than spread out over time. I'm not sure if that changes anything for ESD reporting purposes or if I still just report it weekly even though I received it all at once. Also really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences with the non-compete enforcement. It sounds like most employers don't actively monitor job searches as long as you're not blatantly violating the agreement by going to direct competitors. I'm definitely going to start my UI application right away based on all the advice here!

This thread was super helpful. I was starting to panic thinking I did something wrong. Nice to know it was just system issues affecting everyone.

I'm having the same issue and this thread is so reassuring! I was freaking out thinking I was going to lose my benefits. Trying to file my weekly claim now that it seems like the system is working again. Has anyone else noticed the Washington ESD website gets slower on Fridays when everyone is trying to file at once?