Bottom line for the OP: no unemployment taxes if you're truly self-employed with no employees. But as soon as you hire anyone, even part-time, you need to register and start paying. It's actually one of the more straightforward business requirements once you understand it.

Just want to add that if you're planning to incorporate your business (LLC, Corp, etc.), you'll still follow the same rules - no unemployment taxes until you have employees. But once you do incorporate and start paying yourself a salary, you might need to treat yourself as an employee for unemployment purposes depending on your ownership structure. Something to keep in mind as your business grows!

I was skeptical about those calling services at first, but when I was stuck trying to reach ESD for weeks about my claim, I finally tried Claimyr. Honestly wish I had done it sooner. Got connected to an actual human who could help resolve my adjudication issue instead of just getting hung up on over and over.

Thanks everyone for all the detailed advice! This has been really helpful. I think my next steps are going to be: 1) Start documenting everything more thoroughly with dates and details, 2) Send a formal email to my supervisor and HR outlining the issues and requesting they be addressed, 3) Look into filing a complaint with the state labor department, and 4) Consult with an employment lawyer for a free consultation. If I do end up having to quit, at least I'll have built a strong case for unemployment benefits. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - it's good to know I'm not alone in dealing with ESD bureaucracy!

One more thing - if you do end up needing to contact Washington ESD about your claim, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier really does work. I used it when I had questions about my own good cause resignation and actually got through to talk to someone.

I went through something similar last year with a hostile manager situation. The key thing Washington ESD looks for is whether you made reasonable efforts to resolve the issue before resigning. Start documenting everything now - dates, times, what was said or done, any witnesses. Also, try to address it with your manager or whoever is above them first, and document that conversation too. If you do end up resigning, make sure your resignation letter clearly states it's due to the hostile work environment and references specific incidents. The good cause standard is pretty strict, but with proper documentation showing you had no reasonable alternative, it's definitely possible to get approved. Don't give up hope - your mental health and safety matter.

I went through something very similar last year when I missed 3 weeks due to a car accident. Here's what worked for me: First, restart your claim online immediately - don't wait. When I called about backdating, I had all my documentation ready (hospital records, discharge papers, etc.) and explained that I was physically unable to file due to the emergency. The agent was actually very understanding once I provided the medical documentation. One tip - if you get someone who seems unhelpful, politely end the call and try again later. I got three different answers from three different agents, but the third one was able to approve my backdating request. Also, call early in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) - I had better luck getting through then. Good luck, and don't give up! Your situation sounds very legitimate.

I had a similar situation about 6 months ago when I missed 4 weeks due to my father's sudden heart attack. I was so overwhelmed with hospital visits and managing his care that filing weekly claims was the last thing on my mind. When I finally realized what happened, I was terrified I'd lose everything. Here's what I learned: 1) Restart your claim online ASAP (sounds like you're already on this), 2) When calling, have a timeline ready - exact dates of the emergency, hospital stays, etc., 3) Be prepared to submit documentation if they ask (I had to fax hospital admission/discharge papers), and 4) Don't take the first "no" as final - I called 3 times and got 3 different answers. The third agent approved all 4 weeks retroactively as a "one-time good cause exception." Family medical emergencies are legitimate reasons, so don't lose hope. The key is being persistent but polite, and having your documentation ready. Also, try calling right at 8 AM or during lunch hours - I found those times had shorter wait times.

Final thoughts for anyone reading this later: Plan for 3-4 weeks from filing to first payment if everything goes smoothly. Keep filing weekly claims, maintain your job search log, and don't panic if it takes the full expected time. The system works, it's just slow.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim about 10 days ago and the waiting is really stressful. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful though. It sounds like 3-4 weeks total is pretty normal, which gives me some peace of mind. I've been keeping up with my weekly claims and started a job search log after seeing the advice here. The hardest part is definitely not knowing exactly where things stand, but at least now I have realistic expectations instead of just worrying constantly. Thanks to everyone for sharing your timelines and experiences!