Thanks everyone for all the advice! I successfully submitted my Oregon claim and it looks like it went through. Still might contact Washington ESD later to double-check if I had any other options, but at least I have something in the system now.

Congratulations on getting your claim filed! Just wanted to add that you made the right choice filing in Oregon first. I work in HR and deal with these interstate situations regularly - the general rule is always file where you earned the wages, but there can be exceptions for military spouses, federal employees, or people who worked in multiple states during their base period. Since you had steady employment in Oregon for two years, that's definitely your liable state. Keep all your documentation from the Oregon filing in case you need it later, and don't worry too much about exploring Washington options unless Oregon runs into issues processing your claim.

If anyone else is dealing with this, definitely keep trying to reach Washington ESD even if it takes multiple attempts. Your benefits shouldn't be held up because your employer didn't do their job properly. There are ways to establish your eligibility even when employers aren't compliant.

Another thing to keep in mind - even if your employer wasn't properly registered or paying UI taxes, Washington ESD can still establish your wage credits based on your actual earnings. You might need to provide extra documentation like bank deposits from paychecks, but they have procedures for these situations. I've seen cases where workers got their full benefits even when the employer was completely non-compliant. The key is being persistent and having all your paperwork ready when you finally get through to someone who can help.

Don't forget that you'll need to register with WorkSourceWA as part of the unemployment requirements. It's the same for federal employees as everyone else - you have to show you're actively looking for work.

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share that I just went through this process as a federal employee myself. The information everyone's shared is spot on - you absolutely qualify for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD under the UCFE program. One thing I'd add is that when you call Washington ESD, specifically mention that you're a federal employee filing under UCFE. This helps them route you to the right specialist who understands federal employment separations. Also, if you're having trouble getting through by phone, you can start the application online at esd.wa.gov, which might be easier than waiting on hold. The online system will ask for the same information and you can always call later if you need help with specific questions about your federal employment history.

Washington's benefit calculation is SO CONFUSING!!! Even with the online calculators I was off by like $200 when I actually got my determination. And be prepared for DELAYS. It took them almost 6 weeks to process my claim even though I had a straightforward layoff with no issues. The system is broken!!!!!

I'm new to unemployment after being laid off from my tech job last month. This thread has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about the base year calculation or the hours requirement. I'm wondering - for those who've been through this process, how accurate is the ESD online benefit calculator? I tried using it but I'm getting different estimates depending on how I enter my quarterly earnings. Also, does anyone know if there are any resources or workshops that help walk people through understanding their benefit calculation? The ESD website is pretty confusing for someone who's never dealt with this before.

One last thing - keep detailed records of everything related to your claim. Dates, times of calls, copies of all documents, weekly claim confirmations. If any issues come up later, having good records will save you a lot of headaches.

I'm in a very similar situation - just lost my weekend retail job but still have my weekday office job. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea partial unemployment was even an option. The earnings deduction formula that @Jasmine Hancock explained really helps me understand what to expect. I'm definitely going to file this week rather than continuing to stress about making ends meet with just one job. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in navigating this complicated situation.