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I went through this exact situation in 2025. If your benefits just exhausted last week, you need to call ESD immediately and explain the situation. According to WAC 192-270-050, you must submit your Training Benefits application before your benefits exhaust, but there is a provision for exceptions in certain circumstances. When you call, specifically ask if you qualify for a "good cause" exception for the late filing. Be prepared to explain why you weren't able to apply on time (like if the WorkSource counselor didn't inform you of the deadline). Also, make sure your training program is on the in-demand occupation list for your local workforce development area. Most IT certifications are, but it's worth confirming.
Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get through to ESD? What did they say about your situation?
I finally got through yesterday using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. The agent said I can still apply for Training Benefits because I'm within 10 days of exhaustion! Apparently there is a short grace period. I've submitted my application and now I'm waiting to hear back. They said it could take 2-3 weeks for approval, and if approved, I'd get the additional benefits starting after that. Fingers crossed!
That's great news! Thanks for the update - it's really helpful to know there is a grace period. I'm glad you were able to get through and that you still have options. Please keep us posted on how the approval process goes. Your experience will definitely help others who might find themselves in a similar situation. Good luck with the IT certification program!
Hey Oliver! I just went through this exact same situation a few months ago and I know how nerve-wracking it is to get that letter and not understand what it means. Like others have said, "Reversed" is definitely good news for you since you were the one who appealed the disqualification! One thing I'd add is to screenshot or print out your current claim status from your online ESD account before it updates, just for your records. Sometimes it's helpful to have proof of the "before and after" if any issues come up later. Also, when your benefits do start flowing again, they should include all the back pay from when you were wrongfully denied - that was a nice surprise for me when it finally hit my account. The waiting is the hardest part, but you've cleared the biggest hurdle by winning your appeal. Hang in there!
Thank you so much for the encouragement and practical advice! I really appreciate hearing from someone who went through the same thing. I'm definitely going to take screenshots of everything right now before the system updates. The back pay aspect is something I hadn't really thought about - that would be such a relief since I've been struggling financially during this whole appeal process. It's reassuring to know that the hard part is behind me and now it's just waiting for the system to catch up. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience!
Congratulations on winning your appeal! As someone new to this community but familiar with the ESD process, I can confirm that "Reversed" in your case is definitely good news since you were the appellant. One thing I'd suggest is checking if your employer has any further appeal rights - sometimes they have 30 days to appeal to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals if they disagree with the reversal. You should see this information in your decision letter. Also, make sure you're prepared to restart your weekly claim filing immediately if you haven't been doing so during the appeal process. The system sometimes gets confused after reversals, so don't panic if your first few weekly claims show as "pending" - that's normal while they update everything on their end.
To summarize and clear up any remaining confusion: 1. Shared Work benefits ARE reduced by your earnings (75% deduction formula) 2. You MUST report ALL earnings including tips 3. Job search requirements apply UNLESS your employer has standby status 4. Your employer must submit Shared Work claims showing your reduced hours 5. You still must file your weekly claim in addition to what your employer submits The main advantage of Shared Work over regular UI is that you can work more hours while still getting some benefits, and you maintain your connection to your employer. It's a great program when understood correctly!
Just wanted to add my experience as someone who's been on Shared Work for almost 6 months now. The most important thing is to be completely honest about ALL your earnings - I've seen too many people get in trouble thinking they could hide cash tips or side work. Also, keep detailed records of everything you report because if ESD ever audits your claim, you'll need to show proof. I use a simple spreadsheet tracking my hours, base wages, tips, and what I reported each week. It's saved me so much stress knowing I have everything documented properly. The program really does help bridge the gap when hours get cut, but only if you follow the rules exactly!
That's really smart advice about keeping detailed records! I'm definitely going to start a spreadsheet like you mentioned. Quick question - do you track your cash tips separately from credit card tips, or just lump them all together when you report? I'm trying to figure out the best way to organize everything so I don't miss anything or double-count something when I file my weekly claim.
I'm currently in this exact situation too! Just accepted a position that starts September 10th, so still have about 5 weeks of benefits to navigate. This thread has been incredibly valuable - I had no idea about the standby status option and definitely plan to call ESD about that tomorrow. The email template everyone's sharing for handling interview requests is perfect. I've been worried about wasting employers' time, but it sounds like being upfront from the very first contact actually builds respect rather than burning bridges. Really appreciate everyone who took the time to share their real experiences here. It's amazing how this community helps each other through these tricky situations that the official ESD website doesn't really explain clearly!
I'm so glad this thread has been helpful! I'm actually in a very similar situation - just accepted a position that starts in early September, so I have about 4 weeks left on benefits. Reading everyone's experiences has really put my mind at ease. The standby status option sounds promising for those of us with shorter waiting periods - definitely worth exploring. I love how this community comes together to share practical advice that you just can't find in the official ESD documentation. The transparency approach with employers seems like such a win-win - maintains compliance while actually building professional relationships. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences here!
This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm in a nearly identical situation - just accepted a position starting August 15th, so I have about 3 weeks left on unemployment. The standby status option that Liam mentioned could be perfect for my timeline since it's under 4 weeks. I'm definitely calling ESD first thing tomorrow to ask about that. The email template everyone's sharing is brilliant - I've been stressing about how to handle potential interview requests professionally while being honest. It's really encouraging to hear that most employers actually appreciate the transparency rather than being annoyed by it. One quick question for those who've done this - when you call ESD about standby status, do you need your official offer letter in hand, or can you provide that documentation later? Want to make sure I have everything ready before I call. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed real-world experiences - this community is amazing!
Malik Jackson
I've been dealing with a similar situation and wanted to share what worked for me. After trying the phone lines for weeks with no luck, I visited the WorkSource office in Tacoma. While they couldn't directly modify my claim, the staff there helped me understand exactly what documentation Washington ESD needed and walked me through submitting it properly through SecureAccess Washington. They also showed me how to navigate the messaging system more effectively. It took about 10 days after that visit to get my adjudication resolved. Don't give up - sometimes you just need someone to help you figure out the right steps to take!
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Romeo Barrett
•This is really helpful! I was starting to lose hope but it sounds like the WorkSource staff can at least guide you through the process even if they can't fix things directly. The Tacoma office isn't too far from me so I might try that one. Did you need to bring any specific documents when you went, or did they help you figure out what was missing?
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Yuki Sato
I went through something similar last month and ended up having success with a combination approach. First, I visited the WorkSource office in Federal Way (they were really helpful and less crowded than Seattle). The staff there couldn't change my claim status but they helped me identify what specific information Washington ESD was waiting for regarding my separation from my employer. Then I used the secure messaging system through SecureAccess Washington to submit the additional documentation they recommended. It took about 12 business days to get a response, but my adjudication was finally resolved. The key was having someone at WorkSource explain exactly what ESD needed in plain English - the online instructions were confusing. I'd definitely recommend trying a WorkSource office first before paying for any third-party services. Bring your claim confirmation number, any letters from ESD, and employment records if you have them.
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Niko Ramsey
•@de30959ad4b5 This is super helpful! I'm in a similar boat with my adjudication and have been getting nowhere with the phone system. The Federal Way office sounds like a great option - I had no idea they could help explain what ESD actually wants in terms regular people can understand. One quick question - when you went to WorkSource, did you make an appointment first or just walk in? I want to make sure I don't waste a trip if they're too busy to help walk-ins that day.
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Sofia Ramirez
•@de30959ad4b5 Thanks for sharing your experience with the Federal Way office! I'm dealing with a similar adjudication issue and this gives me hope. Quick question - when you submitted the additional documentation through SecureAccess Washington, did you also send a message explaining what you were submitting, or did you just upload the files? I want to make sure I do this right the first time. Also, did the WorkSource staff give you any tips on how to write clear messages to ESD? I feel like my previous messages might have been too vague.
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