One last thing - if you ever get confused about something or make a mistake on your weekly claim, you can usually call and get it corrected. Don't panic if you realize you reported something wrong, just contact them as soon as possible to fix it.

I've been in a similar situation and can confirm that $200-300 per week should be totally fine with your $487 weekly benefit amount. The key thing to remember is that Washington uses a "disregard" system where they subtract $5 from your weekly benefit amount to get your earnings threshold. So you can earn up to $482 before any deductions kick in. Since your freelance work is projected at $200-300, you'd still receive your full $487 benefit plus keep all your freelance income. When you file your weekly claim, there's a clear section asking "Did you work or earn money?" - just answer honestly with the gross amount you earned and the dates you worked. The system will automatically calculate everything for you. I'd definitely take the freelance opportunity - it's a great way to keep your skills sharp while job hunting and the extra income helps a lot!

Just wanted to jump in and share my recent experience since it sounds like we're in very similar situations! I had my adjudicator call last Tuesday (March 25th) and my status changed to "paid" this morning - so exactly 4 business days. The adjudicator was really thorough, asked about my job duties, reason for leaving, and confirmed some dates, but like yours, she didn't give me any indication of which way it would go. What really helped me during the waiting period was keeping a daily log of what I saw in eServices. Like @Annabel Kimball mentioned, my Action Items disappeared yesterday (day 3), and then this morning I woke up to the beautiful word "PAID" on my summary page! Still waiting for the money to hit my account but I'm not worried anymore. The governor's office contact was genius - I'm definitely filing that away for future reference. It's crazy that it took external pressure to get them moving on your claim, but I'm so glad it worked! Based on what everyone's sharing here, it sounds like you should see movement within the next few days. Hang in there! 💪

Wow, what a journey you've been through! Eight weeks of waiting is absolutely brutal, and I'm so glad the governor's office contact worked for you. That's actually brilliant - I never would have thought to reach out there but it makes total sense that they might have more pull to get things moving. I'm currently on week 6 of waiting myself, so reading through all these experiences is both nerve-wracking and hopeful. The timeline seems pretty consistent - most people are seeing movement within 3-5 business days after their adjudicator call, with money hitting accounts 2-3 days after that. One thing I noticed from everyone's stories is that the adjudicators rarely give you a hint about which way the decision will go, so try not to read too much into the tone of the call. The fact that they called you so quickly after you contacted the governor's office suggests they're treating your case as a priority now. Keep us posted on your status changes! And definitely try that Action Items trick - seems like when those disappear, approval is usually right around the corner. Fingers crossed you see some movement early this week! 🤞

Just wanted to add one more practical tip - when you're getting ready to file, make sure you have a stable internet connection and set aside at least an hour when you won't be interrupted. I made the mistake of trying to rush through it during my lunch break and the session timed out twice. Also, if you get stuck on any question, there are usually little help icons (?) next to each field that explain what they're looking for. The whole process is much smoother when you're not stressed about time. Good luck with your claim!

Don't forget to gather your employment documents before you start filing! I just went through this process last month and having everything organized made such a difference. You'll want your last few pay stubs, your termination letter or layoff notice, and employment information for any jobs you've held in the past 18 months (employer names, addresses, phone numbers, dates worked, and gross wages earned). Also write down your direct supervisor's name and the HR contact info if you have it. I created a simple list beforehand and it saved me from having to pause mid-application to hunt down information. The online system will walk you through each step, but being prepared definitely reduces stress. Since you mentioned bills are due soon, definitely file as soon as you can - even if your claim takes time to process, the effective date starts when you file, not when it gets approved.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel a lot more prepared to file my claim now. Sounds like I can expect somewhere in the $600-700 range based on my salary, which would definitely help while I'm job hunting.

Based on your $52k salary, you should expect around $600-650 per week in benefits. The calculation uses your highest earning quarter during the base period (typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). Washington's benefit formula is roughly 50% of your average weekly wage from that quarter, but there are minimum and maximum caps. Since you're filing for the first time, make sure to have all your employment dates, employer info, and reason for separation ready. The online application is pretty straightforward once you gather everything. Good luck!

Bottom line: 26 weeks maximum in Washington state, no extensions currently available, and your benefit year lasts 52 weeks from when you first file. Plan accordingly and don't assume you'll find work before your benefits run out.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you can check your remaining benefit balance online through your eServices account on the Washington ESD website. It shows exactly how many weeks you have left and your total monetary entitlement remaining. Really helpful for planning purposes rather than trying to count weeks manually. You can also see your benefit year end date right there in your account summary.