Thanks everyone for all this info. Sounds like I need to focus on getting better and wait until I'm medically cleared before thinking about unemployment. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain this stuff.

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago with a knee injury. The frustrating part is that Washington ESD is very strict about the "able and available" requirement - even if you feel like you could do some work, if you're officially on STD, they consider you unavailable. I tried to argue that I could do desk work while my knee healed, but they denied my claim because I was receiving disability payments. The good news is that once your doctor clears you to return to work (even with restrictions), you can file immediately if your employer doesn't have suitable work available. Keep all your medical documentation and communication with your employer - you'll need it when you're ready to file. Hang in there, the 60% from STD is tough but focus on healing properly so you don't re-injure yourself.

Just wanted to circle back - I tried Claimyr yesterday and got connected to a Washington ESD agent within 90 minutes. Found out my claim was delayed because they needed to verify my previous employer's information, but the request got stuck in their system and was never processed. Agent was able to push it through and said I should see movement on my claim within a few days.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 5 weeks ago and still stuck in "under review" status. Reading through all these responses, it seems like the common thread is that most people who got their issues resolved had to actually speak with a Washington ESD agent to find out what was specifically holding up their claim. The phone system is definitely broken, but I'm encouraged by all the positive feedback about Claimyr from multiple people here. Going to give it a try since traditional calling methods clearly aren't working. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in this frustrating process.

Final thought - make sure you understand the difference between 'refusing' a job and 'not being selected' for a job. Only actual refusals of job offers need to be reported to Washington ESD. If you interview and they don't offer you the position, that's different.

I went through something very similar about 6 months ago. Had a marketing background like you and got offered a basic admin role at 60% of my previous salary. Washington ESD actually sided with me when I refused it because the skill level was so far below my experience. The key things that helped my case: I documented my 12+ years of marketing experience, showed the huge pay cut, and explained how taking such a step backward would hurt my long-term career prospects. I also made sure to keep applying for appropriate positions in my field to show I was actively job searching. Don't let them pressure you into taking something that doesn't make sense for your situation - just make sure you have solid documentation of why it's not suitable work.

I'm in a similar situation as a freelance graphic designer - been struggling with inconsistent income and wondering about my options. This thread has been really eye-opening about the W-2 wage requirements. I had a part-time marketing job last year that I totally forgot about. Going to look into filing a claim too. It's frustrating how the system works against independent contractors, but at least there might be some hope if you've had traditional employment recently. Thanks for asking this question OP - you've helped more people than just yourself!

This whole conversation has been incredibly helpful! I'm also a freelancer (photographer) and had no idea that previous W-2 wages could still count toward unemployment eligibility. I worked at a coffee shop for about 8 months in early 2023 before going full-time with my photography business. The creative industries have been hit hard lately and I've been barely scraping by. Reading through all these responses gives me hope that I might actually qualify for some benefits. It's really frustrating that the system doesn't recognize our self-employment income, but at least knowing about the W-2 wage option is something. Going to gather my old pay stubs and file a claim this week!

One more important note: When you have your exit meeting, try to get them to explicitly state the reason for your separation in writing. If they say it's due to "business needs," "reorganization," "position elimination," or similar terms, ask for that in an email or letter. This documentation will be valuable if there's any dispute about your UI eligibility. When you file your claim, you'll have the opportunity to explain the circumstances. Be clear that you were laid off but received severance with certain conditions. The ESD adjudicators are familiar with these situations and will look at the totality of circumstances, not just the language in a severance agreement. As others have mentioned, your severance may delay the start of your benefits, but it won't necessarily make you ineligible altogether. Make sure you're completing all your weekly claims during this time, even if you're not receiving payments yet.

I'm going through something very similar right now! My company announced layoffs last week and my position is being eliminated at the end of this month. I haven't had my exit meeting yet, but I'm already worried about the same thing - that they'll try to make it look like I'm voluntarily leaving. Reading through everyone's responses here is really reassuring. It sounds like the key is being completely honest with ESD about what actually happened, regardless of what the paperwork says. I'm definitely going to document everything and ask for the business reason in writing like others suggested. One question for those who've been through this - how long did it typically take for ESD to make a decision on your claim? I'm trying to plan my finances and wondering if there might be delays beyond just the severance period. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's so helpful to know we're not alone in dealing with these corporate tactics!