I waited to file my first claim and it was a HUGE mistake! ESD questioned why there was a gap between when I was approved and when I started filing. Had to go through adjudication for 5 weeks before I got a single payment! Don't make my mistake!

Just want to add my experience to help clarify things! I was in a similar situation last year and started filing immediately after approval, even though I had a final paycheck coming. The key is being completely transparent about ALL income you receive. When I filed my weekly claim, I reported my final paycheck amount and ESD automatically calculated my reduced benefit for that week. It worked out fine and I didn't have any issues. The important thing is don't create gaps in your filing - file every week even if you think you might not be eligible due to income. Let ESD do the calculations for you!

Hope this helps everyone! The key is persistence and having multiple strategies. Don't rely on just one approach - try calling at different times, use the messaging system, and consider services like Claimyr if you're really stuck.

I've been dealing with Washington ESD for months now and here's what I've learned: The main number 800-318-6022 is correct, but timing is everything. I've had the best luck calling exactly at 8:00 AM when they open - set multiple alarms and start dialing right on the dot. Also, if you get through to the automated system, don't hang up even if it says they're experiencing high call volume. Sometimes you'll get placed in a callback queue where they'll call you back within a few hours instead of making you wait on hold. Save yourself the headache and have your SSN, claim number, and recent employer info ready before you even dial.

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!

This is exactly what happened to me last month! Got my approval letter but was stuck in processing for 5 weeks. Turns out ESD had flagged my claim for additional documentation that I never received notice about. The system glitch that prevents them from sending proper notifications is apparently a known issue but they haven't fixed it yet. I ended up having to physically go to the WorkSource office in my area - they were able to see the hold on my account immediately and help me submit what was needed. If calling doesn't work, that might be another option. The in-person staff can often see issues that don't show up in your online account. Really hope you get this sorted out soon - the stress of waiting for benefits you've already been approved for is awful!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with something similar - got my approval letter 4 weeks ago but payments are still stuck in processing. After reading everyone's experiences here, it's clear that identity verification issues are way more common than ESD communicates. I've been calling for weeks with no luck getting through, but now I have a better strategy: call right at 8am and specifically ask about identity verification holds. I also didn't know about the WorkSource office option - that could be a lifesaver if the phone lines stay jammed. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions. It's frustrating that we have to crowdsource this information because ESD's communication is so poor, but at least we can help each other navigate this broken system!