I'm new to this community but wanted to share what happened with my sister's claim last month. She was in almost the exact same situation - received a lump sum severance payment on her last day after 15 years with the company, then was confused about reporting it on her weekly claims. She initially tried calling ESD directly but couldn't get through (typical!). After reading advice similar to what's been shared here, she decided to report the full severance amount and explained in the comments that it was a lump sum payment received on her termination date. ESD allocated her $8,400 severance over 4 weeks based on her previous weekly wage of $2,100. She couldn't receive benefits during those 4 weeks, but once that period ended, her regular unemployment benefits started without any complications. The whole process was actually smoother than she expected once she reported everything honestly. The key takeaway from her experience: ESD's computer systems are pretty sophisticated at cross-referencing employer reports and tax records, so trying to hide or misrepresent severance payments almost always backfires. Being upfront from the start saved her a lot of potential headaches down the road. Hope your husband's claim goes smoothly! This community has given you solid advice - definitely report that severance payment.

I went through something very similar with my unemployment claim earlier this year. My employer gave me a severance package when they eliminated my position, and I was also confused about how to report it on the weekly claims. Here's what I learned: ESD considers severance as "payment in lieu of notice" - essentially wages for time you would have worked if you hadn't been laid off. So even though your husband received it all at once, ESD will spread that amount across however many weeks it would have covered based on his regular salary. The specific wording of their question can be confusing, but you should answer "yes" and report the severance. In the comments section, be very clear: "Received lump sum severance payment of $X on [date of last day of work]. This was not payment specifically for this week but total severance package." When I did this, ESD calculated that my $4,800 severance covered 3 weeks at my previous wage rate. I couldn't collect benefits for those 3 weeks, but after that period ended, my regular unemployment payments started right on schedule. Don't stress too much about the exact wording - just be honest and thorough in your reporting. ESD deals with this situation all the time and their system will handle the calculations once you provide the correct information.

btw anyone know if OP will get paid the WA benefit amount or the Colorado amount? cuz WA benefits are wayyy better than most states! thats the one good thing about filing with WA!

Just wanted to add something that might help others in similar situations - if you're filing an interstate claim, make sure to keep detailed records of EVERYTHING. Save screenshots of your application, confirmation numbers, any correspondence, etc. Interstate claims can sometimes get stuck in the system between states and having documentation makes it way easier to resolve issues if they come up. Also, don't panic if your first payment takes longer than usual - interstate claims often have a longer processing time than regular in-state claims. Good luck with your claim processing!

Emma, I can totally relate to that initial panic! I went through the same thing when I first started on unemployment last year. After reading through all the excellent advice everyone has shared, I wanted to add one more practical tip that really helped me - set up email alerts on job search websites like Indeed and LinkedIn for positions in your field. When you get those daily or weekly job alert emails, even just reviewing them and clicking through to read job descriptions counts as job search activity (you can document it as "researching employment opportunities" or "reviewing job market trends"). It's a great way to stay on top of new postings and can help fill in one of your weekly activities on slower weeks. Also, don't forget that if you have any professional licenses or certifications that need renewal, working on those counts as job search activity too since it maintains your qualifications for employment. Same goes for taking any online courses related to your field - even free ones on YouTube or LinkedIn Learning. You're getting such solid advice from everyone here, and I can tell you're going to handle this process really well. The first month is always the hardest because everything feels new and overwhelming, but once you establish your routine it becomes much more manageable!

Emma, you've gotten amazing advice here! I'm also new to unemployment (started about 6 weeks ago) and had the exact same panic at the beginning. One thing that really helped me was creating a "job search toolkit" on my computer desktop with folders for: - Screenshots of applications submitted - Email confirmations - Notes from networking conversations - Links to job fairs/workshops I attended Having everything in one place makes filing the weekly claims so much easier. Also, I discovered that many community colleges offer free career workshops that count as job search activities - things like "Interview Skills" or "Resume Building" seminars. These are great for weeks when job postings are slim and they actually help improve your chances! The WorkSource centers are also fantastic resources. The staff there can review your resume, help with job search strategies, and even provide letters confirming you attended their services (which is helpful documentation if ESD ever audits you). Don't be afraid to use all the resources available - you're entitled to them and they genuinely want to help you succeed. You're asking all the right questions and clearly taking this seriously, so you're going to do great!

For what it's worth, I think Washington's unemployment system is pretty good compared to some states. The online portal is user-friendly and the staff knows what they're doing with interstate claims.

Thanks everyone for all this helpful information! I feel much more confident about the interstate claim process now. One last question - do I need to notify my current state's unemployment office before I move, or is it okay to just update my address with them after I've relocated to Washington? I want to make sure I don't accidentally create any issues by moving without proper notification.

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now too! Filed my first PFMLA weekly claim on Wednesday and have been checking my bank account obsessively ever since. Reading through everyone's experiences here is so reassuring - it sounds like the 3-5 business day timeline is pretty consistent, and that "payment in process" status seems to be a really good sign. @Luca Ferrari since you filed Thursday and already see that status, I'm betting you'll see your payment by Tuesday or Wednesday! The rent anxiety is so real though - I've been doing the same mental calculations about whether I'll need to ask family for help. Thanks to everyone who's shared their timelines here, it's helping me stay (somewhat) sane while waiting for my first payment to hit!

I went through this exact same stress about 2 months ago! Filed my first PFMLA weekly claim on a Thursday and was literally counting down the days until rent was due. The good news is that "payment in process" status you mentioned is actually really encouraging - it means they've completed all their verification checks and your payment is just working its way through the banking system now. Mine hit my account the following Tuesday morning, so 5 calendar days total. I know everyone keeps saying 3-5 business days, but from what I've seen with Thursday filers specifically, Tuesday or Wednesday is pretty typical. I'd still give your sister a heads up just to have a backup plan, but honestly based on your current status and filing day, I think you'll probably see that deposit before rent is due. The first payment anxiety is absolutely brutal - I was refreshing my bank app every hour! But once you get through this first one, the timing becomes much more predictable. Hang in there!