Hope this all works out for you OP. The waiting week is just a minor bump in the road once you get your claim sorted out.

Just to add another perspective - I went through this exact situation last year. The adjudication process can feel endless when you're waiting, but once it's resolved, the waiting week timing becomes much clearer. In my case, I was approved on a Tuesday and my waiting week was the Sunday-Saturday period that included that Tuesday. Even though I only had a few days left in that week when approved, the whole week counted as my waiting week. The key thing to remember is that you'll still need to file your weekly claim for that waiting week - you just won't receive payment for it. Make sure you report any job search activities and wages accurately during that week too, because it all still counts toward your ongoing eligibility. Hang in there - the process is stressful but it does get sorted out!

Last thing I'll add - make sure you have a reliable way to access the internet for your weekly claims. The Washington ESD system is mostly online now and you'll need to log in every week. Don't rely on just your phone if you can avoid it.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I went through this exact situation last month. I was laid off from my job at a manufacturing plant and filed my claim the very next day online at esd.wa.gov. The whole application took me about 40 minutes, and I had my confirmation within a few hours. My first payment came exactly 3 weeks later (after the one-week waiting period and processing time). The key is having all your documents ready - I had my Social Security card, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months organized beforehand. Don't overthink it, just get that application submitted as soon as possible!

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!

Bottom line - file TODAY if possible. The Washington ESD system is designed to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Even if you were fired, you probably still qualify unless it was for something really serious.

I work in HR and can confirm - you absolutely should file immediately. There's no waiting period to submit your application, and every day you delay potentially costs you money. Since you mentioned it was for attendance issues rather than something like theft or violence, you'll likely qualify even though you were terminated. The key is being honest about why you were fired when they ask. Washington ESD will contact your employer to verify the details, so make sure you have documentation about any safety complaints you made. That could actually work in your favor if they retaliated against you for reporting legitimate concerns. Get that application in tonight!

I'm in a similar situation - got a level 3 closure notification two days ago and have been anxiously waiting to see what it means. From reading all these responses, it sounds like most people with level 3 closures end up getting approved, which gives me some hope. The fact that they did such a thorough investigation suggests they're taking these cases seriously. Has anyone here had experience with how long it typically takes for the determination letter to arrive after seeing the level 3 closure status?

I'm also dealing with a level 3 closure that just showed up yesterday! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so helpful - way better than trying to decipher the cryptic Washington ESD website. It sounds like most level 3 cases end up being approved based on what people are sharing, which is encouraging. I've been waiting about 6 weeks for my separation issue to get resolved, so seeing any kind of movement feels like progress. Really appreciate everyone sharing their timelines and outcomes - it helps to know we're not alone in this confusing process!