i almost forgot to file last week lol but the esd site was down for maintenance when i tried sunday night so i had to do it monday morning. got my payment a day late but no big deal. just dont wait til the very last minute on saturday night or you might have technical problems

For anyone else reading this thread - I just want to emphasize how important it is to understand the ESD filing schedule! I've been on unemployment for 8 months now and I see so many people get confused about this. The key thing to remember is: each benefit week runs Sunday through Saturday, and you can file for that completed week starting the NEXT Sunday. You then have a full week (until the following Saturday at 11:59 PM) to submit your claim. So there's actually a lot of flexibility in when you file - you don't have to rush to do it on Sunday morning like some people think. Just make sure you don't wait until the very last minute in case there are technical issues with the website!

One more tip for anyone dealing with this - if you're applying for rental assistance through a nonprofit organization, they're usually more flexible with documentation than government programs. I've seen them accept email confirmations or even screenshots from your SAW account when people couldn't print. But definitely start with the official payment history first since that's what most places prefer.

Just to add another perspective - I work as a case manager for rental assistance programs in Washington state. The payment history from your SAW account is definitely the gold standard and what we see most often. One thing I always tell clients is to make sure the document shows the state seal/logo and your full name clearly. Also, if you've had any breaks in your benefits or payment issues, it's helpful to include a brief note explaining any gaps in the payment history. Most programs understand that Washington ESD has had processing delays, so don't worry if there are some irregular dates - just be prepared to explain if asked.

To summarize for anyone else who might be confused about this issue in the future: 1. PFML (Paid Family Medical Leave) allows retroactive claiming of multiple weeks at once 2. Regular UI (Unemployment Insurance) requires weekly claims filed on time 3. When claiming multiple PFML weeks, payment typically comes as one lump sum 4. Processing time is usually 5-10 business days but can take longer 5. Keep all your medical documentation handy in case verification is requested Hope this helps clarify things!

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! As someone who's new to navigating ESD benefits, this thread has been super reassuring. I was also worried about claiming multiple PFML weeks at once when I got my extension approved last month. Reading about everyone's similar experiences makes me feel much more confident that I did the right thing. It's really confusing how different PFML and regular UI work - I wish ESD made this clearer on their website. Appreciate this community for helping clarify these things!

This is such a frustrating but unfortunately common issue with ESD's system. The fact that they can show "paid" status while payments are actually being held due to invisible flags is absolutely maddening. I went through something similar last year - my claims showed paid for weeks but turns out there was an employer dispute that wasn't reflected anywhere in my online account. Like others mentioned, I had to call dozens of times before finally getting someone who could see the actual problem. One tip that helped me get through faster: try calling at exactly 8:00 AM and press 1-1-1 as soon as you hear the automated message. Sometimes you can bypass the "high call volume" recording that way. Also document everything - dates you called, who you spoke with, any reference numbers they give you. The system is broken but persistence usually pays off eventually. Really glad Connor got his resolved - hopefully ESD will fix these visibility issues so people don't have to go through this nightmare in the future!

This whole thread is such a perfect example of why ESD needs a complete system overhaul. The fact that Connor had to wait 7 weeks and use a third-party service just to discover an "invisible" identity verification hold is absolutely unacceptable. For anyone currently dealing with similar issues, here are the key takeaways from this discussion: 1. "Paid" status doesn't always mean paid - there can be hidden holds 2. Check both your eServices messages AND physical mail for notices 3. Call at exactly 8am for better chances of getting through 4. Ask specifically about payment method selection (direct deposit vs debit card) 5. Have your bank check for any failed deposit attempts 6. Consider using Claimyr if you can't get through on your own The system shouldn't be this broken, but at least we can help each other navigate it. Really hoping ESD addresses these visibility issues soon so people don't have to play detective with their own benefits.

Great plan! One additional tip - when you get that letter from your CEO, also ask HR to send a separate confirmation email or letter verifying the standby arrangement. Having documentation from both the CEO and HR can strengthen your case if there are any questions from ESD. Also, since you mentioned this is related to funding rounds, you might want to ask your employer to include language in the letter about the "temporary nature due to funding timeline" rather than just saying "layoff." ESD sometimes views funding-related separations more favorably when it's clear it's truly temporary and business-related rather than performance issues. Good luck!

Just want to echo what others have said about getting proper documentation - this is absolutely critical! I went through a similar situation last year when my startup ran out of runway. A few additional things to consider: 1. Make sure your employer includes their EIN (Employer Identification Number) on the letter - ESD sometimes requests this for verification 2. If possible, get the letter notarized - it's not required but can help if there are any disputes 3. Keep copies of EVERYTHING - the original layoff notice, the return-to-work letter, any emails about the situation Also, since you mentioned this is funding-related, be prepared for potential delays. My company's "6-week bridge" turned into 12 weeks when their Series A fell through. Having that backup job search plan is really smart. The good news is that if your standby gets extended or converted to regular UI, you won't lose any benefits - just be ready to start the job search requirements if needed. One last tip: if you do end up job searching during standby "just in case," don't report those activities on your weekly claims unless you actually get hired somewhere. Being on standby means you're excused from job search requirements, so reporting them could confuse the system.