Final thought - if you do quit and file for benefits, respond to any requests for information from Washington ESD immediately. Don't let deadlines pass or your claim could be denied just for non-response, even if you had good cause to quit.

Also keep in mind that Washington ESD will likely contact your employer during the adjudication process to get their side of the story. Make sure all your documentation is organized and easily accessible because you may need to provide additional evidence to counter whatever your employer claims. I've seen cases where employers try to downplay harassment or claim the employee never complained, so having timestamped emails and written records is crucial.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation - losing a job while pregnant is incredibly stressful! I went through something similar a few years ago and wanted to share what I learned. You're absolutely right to be thinking about this transition carefully. The good news is that yes, you can collect unemployment until your baby arrives and then switch to Paid Family Leave. The key things to remember: 1) Make sure you understand the exact timing - you'll need to stop filing unemployment claims the week you go on maternity leave 2) There might be a small gap in benefits while your PFL application processes, so try to save a little if possible 3) Keep all your employment records from this job - you'll need them for both programs One thing I'd add that others haven't mentioned - consider applying for any state assistance programs you might qualify for during this transition period. WIC, SNAP, and temporary assistance programs exist exactly for situations like this. There's no shame in using these safety nets when you need them, especially with a baby on the way. Also, don't forget to apply for unemployment immediately after your last day of work - don't wait! The sooner you get that process started, the better. Hang in there - this is temporary and you're going to get through this! 💙

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works in HR and has dealt with similar situations. A few additional points that might help: 1) When you file for unemployment, be very specific that your "position was eliminated" rather than saying your contract wasn't renewed - this helps establish it as a layoff rather than a contract ending, which strengthens your claim. 2) For the job search requirement while pregnant, focus on industries that commonly hire for maternity cover or short-term positions - healthcare, education, and administrative temp work often need people for exactly these timeframes. 3) Don't forget that you can potentially start your Paid Family Leave up to one week BEFORE your due date if your doctor certifies medical necessity, which could help minimize any gap between programs. 4) Keep detailed records of everything - dates, conversations with ESD, medical appointments, job applications. If anything gets complicated later, having documentation will save you huge headaches. You're handling a really tough situation with a lot of grace and planning ahead. That's going to serve you well through this transition. Best of luck with everything!

Final thought - remember that the job search requirement exists to help you find work faster, not to make your life harder. Use it as motivation to stay active in your job search and you'll benefit even if you never get audited.

As someone new to the Washington unemployment system, this thread has been incredibly informative! I just started my claim last week and was feeling overwhelmed about the job search requirements. It's reassuring to know that as long as you're genuine in your efforts and keep detailed records, the audit process isn't something to fear. I'm going to start documenting everything from day one - dates, company names, positions, application methods, and any responses. Better to be over-prepared than scrambling later if I get selected for review. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

Did you manage to get through to ESD yet? Curious if they were able to fix it for you. I'm having a similar issue now and wondering if I should just try calling them too.

This is such valuable information for anyone dealing with reduced hours claims! I'm glad you got it resolved @Libby Hassan. It's really frustrating that ESD doesn't communicate this verification process clearly upfront. For anyone else reading this thread, it sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) Reduced hours claims automatically go into a verification queue that's not visible to claimants, 2) You need to call ESD directly to get it released, and 3) Using a callback service like Claimyr can save hours of trying to get through. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread will probably help a lot of people in similar situations!

Just want to say thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. This is exactly the kind of real-world info you can't find on the official ESD website.

I went through the backdating process last year and want to add a few things that might help. First, gather EVERYTHING before you submit - bank statements, job search records, any correspondence about your employment situation, medical records if applicable. Second, be very honest about any work you did during the period you're requesting - even small cash jobs need to be reported. The process took about 4 months for me but I did get approved. The key was being extremely detailed in my explanation and having documentation for every claim I made. Also, don't wait to start your regular weekly claims while this is pending - handle them separately. Good luck!