OP, I just wanted to say good luck with your appeal. This stuff is stressful but you seem to have done things correctly. Hope it works out in your favor.

I went through something very similar last year with a $3,400 overpayment notice from 2020-2021. Like you, I was terrified and confused because I thought I had reported everything correctly. I appealed it and gathered all my documentation - pay stubs, weekly claim certifications, bank statements showing when I deposited paychecks, everything. Turned out ESD had made an error in how they calculated my benefit year earnings base period. The whole overpayment got reversed after my hearing. Don't give up hope - these errors happen more often than you'd think, especially for claims from that chaotic pandemic period. Document everything you can remember about your work schedule and earnings reporting, and definitely appeal before the deadline. You've got this!

One last tip - if you're ever selected for a job search audit, respond quickly and provide all requested documentation. Delays can cause issues with your benefits.

I'm new to Washington unemployment and this thread is incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add - I've found that creating a simple weekly schedule helps me stay consistent with the job search requirements. I block out specific times for applications, networking, and other activities rather than scrambling at the end of the week. Also, don't forget that career counseling sessions at WorkSource count too - they're actually pretty valuable for getting feedback on your resume and interview skills while meeting your requirements.

this whole thread is so helpful!! im in almost teh exact same situation but with a coworker not a trainer. saving all this advice for myself too. good luck OP hope it works out for u

I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful. One thing I wanted to add - if you do end up quitting and filing for unemployment, be prepared for the fact that your former employer might contest your claim even if they know they were in the wrong. Some companies automatically contest every unemployment claim regardless of the circumstances just to try to keep their unemployment insurance rates low. Also, when you talk to your doctor about the anxiety/panic attacks, ask them to specifically document how your work environment is contributing to these symptoms. The more detailed the medical documentation, the stronger your case will be. My therapist wrote a letter stating that my workplace stress was "significantly exacerbating" my anxiety disorder, and I think that language really helped during my appeals process. Hang in there - toxic workplaces are awful and you deserve better than what you're dealing with.

I'm in almost the exact same situation - filed my claim about 8 days ago after being laid off and still showing "under review" status. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking! It sounds like 2-3 weeks is pretty normal for straightforward layoff cases, which gives me hope. I've been keeping up with my weekly claims and job search logging, so hopefully that keeps things moving smoothly. The hardest part is just not knowing - I keep refreshing my account hoping for an update. Thanks for asking this question, it's exactly what I needed to read today!

I went through this exact same process last year and completely understand the anxiety of waiting! For what it's worth, my timeline was pretty typical - filed my claim after a layoff, stayed in "under review" for about 16 days, then got approved with all back payments. The key things that helped me were: 1) keeping up with weekly claims (which you're already doing), 2) checking my SecureAccess account daily for any requests for additional info, and 3) making sure all my job search activities were logged properly in WorkSourceWA. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're worried about bills, but it sounds like you're doing everything right. Most layoff cases are pretty straightforward and get processed within that 2-3 week window everyone mentioned. Hang in there - you're probably closer to approval than you think!

Good luck with the backdating request. The fact that you filed as soon as you understood the process should work in your favor. Shows you weren't trying to delay or game the system.

I work as a case worker with unemployment claims and see backdating requests regularly. Your situation with confusion about when to file is actually quite common and typically qualifies as good cause. The key is being able to clearly explain that you genuinely misunderstood the filing requirements rather than just procrastinating. When you call, be specific about what you thought the process was versus what it actually is. Washington ESD tends to be reasonable about these cases, especially for first-time filers who acted promptly once they understood the correct procedure. Document everything from your conversation and follow up in writing if they request additional information.