Thanks everyone for all the advice. This thread convinced me to stop procrastinating and just file. Hopefully I can get approved for backdating and minimize the damage from waiting two weeks.

I'm in a very similar boat - lost my job three weeks ago and kept putting off filing because I was optimistic about some leads that didn't pan out. Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening. I had no idea about the waiting week or how long the processing actually takes. Sounds like we both need to get our applications in ASAP. The backdating option gives me some hope that we haven't completely screwed ourselves by waiting. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't get from the official websites.

It si weird but I think they want you to keep filling out the wekly claim forms even with $0 bennefits left. When mine ran out the lady on the fone told me to keep doing it for the "oficcial record" even tho I wouldn't get any more money. Made no sense to me but I did it for a while cause I was scared of messing something up.

I'm in the exact same situation! Just exhausted my benefits two weeks ago and keep getting those weekly claim notices. Reading through everyone's responses here is really helpful - sounds like there's mixed opinions but the consensus seems to be that continuing to file is probably the safer option even if it feels pointless. Has anyone had luck with the WorkSource services mentioned? I'm wondering if they have any programs specifically for people who've exhausted UI benefits or if it's just general job search help. Also curious about that Training Benefits Program someone mentioned - does anyone know what the qualifications are for that? Thanks for posting this question Carmen - I was literally about to ask the same thing!

Try to stay positive. I know it's hard when you're waiting for money you need, but the vast majority of legitimate claims get approved. The waiting is just part of the process.

I went through something similar last year - filed in January and didn't get approved until March. The "adjudication in progress" status is frustrating because it gives you no real information about what's happening. In my case, they were just verifying my employment dates and wages with my former employer, which took forever because the company was slow to respond to their requests. The good news is that once it's approved, you'll get all your back payments at once. I ended up getting about $4,000 in one lump sum for all the weeks I'd been waiting. Keep filing those weekly claims and try to hang in there - I know how stressful the waiting can be when you're counting on that money.

Bottom line - report your work honestly on your weekly claims. If you earn too much to qualify for benefits, you simply won't receive payment for that week. Your claim stays active in case you need it later. Don't overthink it!

I went through this exact same situation last year! The key is to keep filing your weekly claims and just be completely honest about your work hours and wages. When I started my new job, I was nervous about making mistakes too, but Washington ESD's system is actually pretty forgiving if you're transparent. Even if you earn over the weekly benefit amount and get $0 that week, filing keeps your claim active. That way if something happens with the job (which hopefully it won't!), you can easily restart getting benefits without having to reapply. Congrats on the new position and don't stress too much about this part!

I might be dumb for asking but could you maybe just reduce your hours at this job instead of quitting completely? Like tell them you can only work 20 hours a week? That way you still get partial unemployment but also have some income while you look for something better?

I just went through something similar a few months ago! Here's what I learned the hard way: For your first question - yes, at 32 hours x $19.50/hr you'll likely get $0 for that week since you're earning more than your weekly benefit amount. BUT your claim stays active as long as you keep filing. For quitting - document EVERYTHING before you make any moves. I made the mistake of quitting a toxic job without enough proof and had to fight for months. What saved me was: - Taking photos/videos of safety violations - Emailing my supervisor about concerns (creates a paper trail) - Getting witness statements from coworkers - Filing a complaint with L&I about the unsafe conditions The key is showing you tried to resolve issues before quitting. Send an email to your manager/HR listing the specific safety problems and requesting they be fixed. Give them a reasonable time to respond (like 3-5 business days). If they don't fix it or dismiss your concerns, THEN you have documented good cause. Also keep filing your weekly claims even if you quit and go into adjudication - I lost out on back pay because I stopped filing thinking it was pointless. The whole process sucks but if you do it right, you can protect your benefits. Just make sure you have rock-solid documentation before you walk away!