Washington ESD should really make this clearer on their website. I was confused about the payment methods too when I first filed.

Just wanted to add that if you're still waiting for your first payment to process, you can check the status in your eServices account under "Payment Information." The debit card usually ships within a few days of your first payment being issued, not when you're approved. So there might be a bit of a delay between approval and actually getting the card. Also, if you move during this time, make sure to update your address with both Washington ESD AND KeyBank separately - they handle different parts of the process.

One more thing - if your plant closure involves more than 50 employees, ESD might have a specialized rapid response team to help everyone. Ask your union rep if ESD has been notified of the mass layoff. Sometimes they set up special processes for large closures.

I'm going through a similar situation right now with my company's closure. From what I've learned talking to others who've been through this, the key is being completely transparent with ESD about everything you receive and when. My approach has been to report ALL payments when I file my weekly claims, but include detailed notes about what each payment represents (severance vs vacation vs WARN compensation). This way there's a clear paper trail showing I'm not trying to hide anything. Also, don't stress too much about the phone situation - I've found that ESD's online chat feature during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening) sometimes gets you through faster than calling. You can also try calling right when they open at 8am on weekdays. The most important thing is documenting your attempts to get clarification and being honest about what you received. Good luck with everything!

just want to say good luck with the coding bootcamp! my cousin did one last year and now makes like $95k at Amazon. totally worth it even if ESD gives you a hard time about CATS

I actually got approved for CATS for a data analytics bootcamp back in December! Took about 6 weeks to hear back, which was nerve-wracking but worth the wait. A few things that I think helped my application: 1) I included documentation showing the bootcamp was accredited and had partnerships with local employers, 2) I wrote a detailed explanation of how the skills would help me find work in my previous field (marketing) plus open up new opportunities, and 3) I made sure to emphasize that data analysis is listed as a high-demand occupation in Washington. The waiting period was stressful but my benefits continued normally while they reviewed everything. Once approved, not having to do job searches was such a relief since the bootcamp is pretty intensive. One thing to note - they do check in periodically to make sure you're making satisfactory progress, so keep your grades/completion records handy. Really hoping it works out for you too! The tech field definitely qualifies as in-demand so you should have a good shot.

One more thing - some property management companies have specific policies about unemployment income. Call ahead and ask before wasting time on applications. Saves everyone time and frustration.

I went through this exact situation about a year ago in Tacoma. What helped me was creating a "rental package" with all my documents organized in a folder: monetary determination letter, 3 months of bank statements showing UI deposits, my job search log from WorkSource, and a brief cover letter explaining my situation and timeline for finding work. Most landlords appreciated the transparency and organization. Also consider looking at smaller, independent landlords rather than big property management companies - they tend to be more flexible about income sources. Don't get discouraged if a few places say no, there are definitely landlords out there who understand that unemployment benefits are reliable government income.

Bottom line - read all the materials they send you, follow the rules exactly, and don't try to game the system. Washington ESD has gotten pretty good at catching people who don't follow the rules properly.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned much is pension payments - if you're receiving a pension from a previous employer, that can sometimes affect your unemployment benefits or even disqualify you depending on how it's structured. Also, if you're receiving workers' compensation, there are specific rules about how that interacts with unemployment benefits. These situations can get pretty complex, so definitely worth discussing with Washington ESD if either applies to your situation.