Keep checking your eServices account daily for updates. Sometimes the determination letter shows up there before they send notifications. That's how I found out I was approved.

UPDATE: Got my determination letter today - approved! Took exactly 12 business days after my phone interview. Benefits should start next week. Hang in there everyone, the wait is worth it when you finally get that approval!

Bottom line - just file your claim if you think you might be eligible. Washington ESD will determine your eligibility automatically and let you know. It's better to apply and find out than to assume you don't qualify and miss out on benefits you're entitled to.

One thing that helped me understand the eligibility requirements was looking at the Washington ESD "Am I Eligible?" tool on their website. It walks you through the basic questions about your work history, earnings, and reason for separation. While it's not a guarantee, it gives you a good idea of whether you meet the initial requirements before you file your claim. Also, make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and information about your employers from the last 18 months ready when you file - it makes the process much smoother.

Just remember to be honest on your application. Any discrepancies can cause delays or even disqualification. Better to be upfront about everything from the start.

Just wanted to add that you should also make sure you have all your employment information ready when you apply - dates of employment, employer contact info, and your gross wages for each quarter. Having this organized beforehand will make the application process much smoother. Since you worked retail for 18 months and were laid off due to store closure, you should definitely qualify. The hardest part is usually just getting through the initial application, but it sounds like you have all the right circumstances.

I went through this exact same scenario about 6 months ago! My supervisor changed my reported hours from 28 to 35 after I'd already filed my weekly claim, and I was freaking out just like you are. Here's what worked for me: I immediately logged into eServices and used the "Benefit Payment Correction" option (not just general reporting - this is key). I uploaded screenshots of my original timesheet submission, the changed version, and text messages between me and my supervisor about the mix-up. I also wrote a detailed explanation of exactly what happened and when. The good news: it only triggered about a 2-week adjudication period because I was proactive about reporting it myself. They did hold my next payment while reviewing it, but once they saw all my documentation proving it was an honest mistake, they cleared it pretty quickly. I had to pay back the overpayment (about $120 in my case), but no penalties or fraud accusations. The key is acting fast and being totally transparent with all your evidence. Your text messages proving the timeline will be huge in your favor. Don't let this stress you out too much - ESD deals with employer hour changes all the time, and they can usually tell the difference between honest mistakes and intentional fraud.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - my hours got adjusted after I filed too. Reading through everyone's advice here has been super helpful! Just wanted to add that when you upload your text messages as evidence, make sure the timestamps are clearly visible in the screenshots. ESD really cares about being able to see exactly when things happened. Also, if your foreman is willing to help, having him send you an email acknowledging that he changed the hours without notifying you first could be really valuable documentation. Good luck - it sounds like you're handling this the right way by being proactive!

UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD using the Claimyr service (thanks for that recommendation). Turns out it WAS a combined wage issue! My Oregon wages weren't showing up in their system because I answered a question wrong on my initial application. The agent was able to fix it right there on the phone and said my claim should update in 3-5 business days and switch back to processing. She also said I'll still get all my back weeks once it's approved. Such a relief!

Wow, what a journey! This thread is super helpful for anyone dealing with interstate claims. I'm actually in a similar boat - filed 6 weeks ago after moving from California to Washington and my claim is still "pending" with no updates. Reading through all this makes me think I might have the same combined wage issue. Did the ESD agent mention how common this problem is? It seems like their system should automatically flag when someone has worked in multiple states instead of just marking claims as invalid with zero explanation.