Thank you - I've been filing my weekly claims religiously even with the disqualification status. I'll check out the hardship resources in my county. Appreciate the suggestion!

I went through a similar appeal process about 8 months ago after quitting due to workplace bullying. The timeline can vary quite a bit - mine took about 5 weeks to get scheduled, but I've heard of people waiting up to 10 weeks depending on the complexity of their case and current backlog. A few things that really helped me during the hearing: - Having a chronological list of incidents with specific dates and witnesses - Screenshots/emails showing I attempted to resolve issues through proper channels - Medical documentation linking my health issues to the workplace situation The judge in my case was very thorough and asked detailed questions about why I felt I had no other choice but to quit. Since you have recordings and medical notes, you're in a much stronger position than many people who go through this process. One thing to prepare for - your former employer will likely participate in the hearing and may try to dispute your version of events. Don't let that intimidate you; just stick to the facts and your documentation. The burden is on you to prove good cause, but it sounds like you have solid evidence. Hang in there - I know the financial stress while waiting is awful, but with your level of documentation, you have a good shot at winning your appeal.

Bottom line: expect 1-2 day delays on any week with a federal holiday. Plan accordingly and don't panic if your payment is late. It's normal and temporary.

I've been dealing with this same issue for months! What I've learned is that Washington ESD follows the federal reserve holiday schedule, so any federal holiday will push your payment back. The frustrating part is they don't send any notifications about delays - you just have to know to expect it. I started setting reminders in my phone for all the federal holidays so I'm not constantly checking my account wondering where my payment is. It's helped reduce the stress a lot, especially during those long holiday weekends when you're already tight on cash.

Glad we could help. Remember, the work search requirement is there to support your job hunting efforts, not make your life harder.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm also new to the unemployment work search requirements and was feeling overwhelmed. One thing I wanted to add - I've found that creating a simple spreadsheet with columns for date, company name, position applied for, method (online, email, in-person), and any follow-up actions has been really helpful for staying organized. It makes it so much easier when I'm filling out my weekly claim and I don't have to try to remember what I did earlier in the week. Plus having everything in one place helps me track which applications I should follow up on.

Just to follow up on this thread - there's actually a benefit to this change that isn't immediately obvious. The separate job search log allows you to enter activities throughout the week as you complete them, rather than having to remember all details when you file your weekly claim. It also lets you copy previous job search entries if you're applying to multiple positions at the same company, which saves time. The new system also allows for more detailed documentation, which can be helpful if you ever have to prove your job search activities during an audit or appeal. You can upload screenshots or confirmation emails directly to each job search entry.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I was panicking when I couldn't find the job search section during my weekly claim filing yesterday. I thought maybe my browser was glitching or something. It's frustrating that they made such a big change without making it super obvious WHERE the new section is located. For anyone else looking for it - when you log into eServices, it's under the "Unemployment Services" menu, then "Job Search Log." It took me forever to find it! I wish they had put up a banner or something during the transition period to let people know about the change.

just remember the money you take out now is money you wont have when you actually retire. try to minimize how much you withdraw if possible

I went through something similar a few years ago. One thing that really helped me was creating a detailed budget to figure out exactly how much I needed vs how much I wanted to withdraw. I ended up taking out just $3,000 instead of the $8,000 I originally planned, and it was enough to bridge me until I found work. Also look into whether your 401k provider offers any hardship withdrawal options - some have reduced penalties for unemployment situations. The regular early withdrawal penalty is brutal but every little bit helps when you're already in a tough spot.