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Also worth noting that some employers offer direct deposit setup before your first day, which can speed up getting that first paycheck. Ask HR if they can expedite the paperwork so you get paid on the earliest possible pay cycle. Many companies are willing to help new hires with this kind of timing issue if you explain the situation upfront.
Just went through this exact situation a few months ago when I started my current job. The waiting period between starting work and getting that first paycheck is brutal, but you absolutely have to stop filing once you begin working. I made the mistake of thinking "well, I'm not getting paid yet so technically..." but Washington ESD doesn't see it that way at all. They care about when you're performing work, not when the money hits your account. Had to learn that lesson the expensive way when they caught it during a routine audit. Save yourself the headache and stop filing as soon as you clock in on Monday.
Just wanted to add that if you've been doing gig work, make sure you have records of your earnings from that too. Even though it probably won't count toward your base period wages for UI eligibility, Washington ESD might ask about any income you've had since your last claim ended. They want to make sure you're reporting everything accurately when you file your weekly claims. Also, don't get discouraged if the online system seems glitchy - it happens a lot but usually works if you try again later or use a different browser.
This is really good advice about keeping records! I've been tracking my rideshare earnings in a spreadsheet but wasn't sure if I needed to report them. Better to be transparent about everything. And yeah, the ESD website definitely has its quirks - I've had to refresh and try again multiple times just browsing around.
I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago. You can definitely reapply - since your benefit year ended, you'll file a completely new initial claim rather than reopening the old one. The process was pretty straightforward online, but make sure you have all your employer information handy from the past 5 quarters. One thing that caught me off guard was that my weekly benefit amount changed because it's calculated based on your new base period wages, not your previous claim. Also, be prepared for the waiting week again - even though you already served one on your previous claim, each new benefit year requires its own waiting week. The whole process took about 2-3 weeks from application to first payment in my case.
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My status changed to 'eligible redetermined' yesterday and I was panicking thinking I did something wrong. Reading through all these responses is such a relief - sounds like it's actually a good thing that they reviewed everything and I'm still eligible. The Washington ESD website really needs to explain these status changes better instead of leaving people to guess what they mean. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
This thread is such a goldmine! I just went through the same exact panic when my status changed to 'eligible redetermined' last week. Like everyone else said, I immediately thought I was in trouble or had made some mistake. But after reading all these experiences, it's clear that Washington ESD just has terrible communication about what these statuses actually mean. It's like they deliberately choose the most confusing wording possible! My payments have continued normally and everything is fine. Really wish they would just say "we double-checked your eligibility and you're still approved" instead of this cryptic government-speak that sends everyone into a tailspin.
I totally get that panic feeling! I had the same reaction when mine changed to 'eligible redetermined' a few weeks ago. It's like they specifically chose the most anxiety-inducing way to say "we looked at your case again and everything's fine." The word "redetermined" just sounds so final and scary when you're depending on these benefits! But yeah, everyone here is right - it's actually good news that they reviewed everything and you're still eligible. Just keep filing your weekly claims like normal and try not to stress about the confusing terminology. This community has been such a lifesaver for translating what Washington ESD actually means with all their official jargon!
I just wanted to add my experience since I went through something similar! My status changed to 'eligible redetermined' about a month ago and I was absolutely terrified - I thought for sure I had messed something up with my weekly claims or job search activities. Turns out it was just because my previous employer finally responded to Washington ESD's inquiry about my separation (I was laid off due to budget cuts). They reviewed everything again and confirmed I was still eligible for benefits. My payments never stopped and everything continued as normal. It's really frustrating how Washington ESD uses these scary-sounding official terms when they could just say "we double-checked and you're good!" The anxiety these status changes cause when you're already stressed about finances is just unnecessary. But bottom line - if it still says 'eligible' then you're fine!
Whatever you decide, don't delay filing your UI claim after you quit. You want to get in the system as soon as possible even if you expect to be denied initially.
I'm going through something similar right now. The stress is affecting my health but I'm scared to quit without knowing if I'll get benefits. This thread has been really helpful.
I'm in a similar boat - toxic workplace affecting my mental health but terrified about the financial implications of quitting. From everything I've read in this thread, it seems like the key is really solid documentation and showing you tried to resolve things internally first. The fact that multiple people have mentioned Claimyr for getting through to ESD makes me think the phone system really is as broken as everyone says. Stay strong and document everything!
I'm also dealing with a hostile work environment and considering my options. What really stands out to me from this discussion is how important it is to have a paper trail - emails, written complaints to HR, dates and times of incidents. It sounds like Washington ESD really scrutinizes these cases, so the more evidence you have that a reasonable person would quit under the same circumstances, the better your chances. Have you started documenting everything systematically? I've been keeping a work journal with detailed notes about each incident.
Darren Brooks
Really appreciate all the detailed info in this thread! As someone who just started the unemployment process, I was totally confused about the timing. The tip about checking eServices for "paid" status on Tuesday evening before the money hits your account is brilliant - that's going to save me so much anxiety. Setting up bank alerts too. It's amazing how much clearer everything becomes when people who've been through it actually explain the real-world timeline instead of just the official guidelines. Thanks everyone!
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Sofia Torres
•I'm so glad this thread exists! I was literally about to call ESD for the third time this week just to ask about payment timing, but now I have a clear roadmap. The eServices status check on Tuesday evening is going to be a game-changer - no more refreshing my bank app every 10 minutes on Wednesday morning! It's incredible how much stress these practical tips can eliminate when you're already dealing with job loss. Going to bookmark this whole thread for reference. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences!
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Nathaniel Stewart
•This thread has been such a relief to find! I'm in week 2 of unemployment and was getting really anxious about whether I was doing everything right with the timing. The eServices "paid" status check that Brooklyn mentioned is exactly what I needed - I had no idea that feature existed. I've been one of those people obsessively checking my bank account starting Tuesday afternoon, but now I know I can actually see when ESD processes it first. Combined with the bank alerts, this is going to make the whole weekly cycle so much less stressful. It's amazing how much better you feel when you understand the actual process instead of just guessing!
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Jay Lincoln
Just wanted to add my experience as someone who's been through this process - the eServices status check is absolutely essential! I learned about it the hard way after spending my first month constantly worrying about payment timing. Now I have a routine: file my weekly claim on Sunday, check eServices Tuesday evening around 7 PM to see the "paid" status, then I know for sure my deposit will be there Wednesday morning. It's such a relief to have that confirmation before going to bed Tuesday night. Also, if you're with a smaller bank or credit union, your deposit might show up Tuesday evening instead of Wednesday morning - mine started appearing around 10 PM on Tuesdays once my bank adjusted their processing schedule. The key is just knowing that once you see "paid" in eServices, the money is definitely coming within the next few hours!
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Jamal Brown
•This is such valuable advice! I'm new to unemployment and have been stressing about the payment timing every single week. Your routine of checking eServices Tuesday evening at 7 PM is brilliant - I had no idea you could see the "paid" status before the actual deposit. That's going to save me so much anxiety! I'm also with a smaller bank, so I'll definitely watch for the possibility of Tuesday evening deposits like you mentioned. It's amazing how much more manageable this whole process seems when you have a clear system to follow. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience - it really helps us newcomers!
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Javier Mendoza
•This is so helpful! I'm in my third week of unemployment and was getting really anxious every Tuesday night not knowing if my payment went through. Your routine of checking eServices at 7 PM on Tuesday for the "paid" status is genius - I didn't even know that feature existed! I've been with a small regional bank for years and they've always been good about processing deposits quickly, so maybe I'll get lucky with those Tuesday evening deposits you mentioned. Having this kind of structured approach is going to make such a difference in my stress levels. Thanks for sharing the exact timeline - it's so much better than just guessing when things will happen!
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