Have you tried contacting your state representative's office? Sometimes they can help escalate issues with Washington ESD when regular channels aren't working.

Whatever you do, don't stop filing your weekly claims and keep documenting everything. If there is an issue that eventually gets resolved, you'll want to make sure you get all your back pay for the weeks you were eligible.

That's a great summary! You've got all the key points covered. Just one small correction - the summary at the end was actually posted by StarStrider (the original poster), not Zainab Ibrahim. But you're absolutely right about taking the job - with only 2 days a week and earnings in the $200-300 range, you should be well within the safe zone for keeping most of your benefits. Good luck with the new position!

As someone who just joined this community after struggling with similar questions, I want to add that it's also worth knowing that Washington state allows you to have multiple part-time jobs while on unemployment as long as your total weekly earnings stay under that weekly benefit minus $5 threshold. I learned this when I was considering taking on some freelance work in addition to a part-time retail job. The key is just making sure you report ALL sources of income accurately on your weekly claim - don't leave anything out thinking it's too small to matter. Washington ESD tracks everything and it's better to over-report than under-report. Also, if anyone is doing gig work like DoorDash or Uber while on unemployment, that counts as earnings too and needs to be reported as self-employment income.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who was recently laid off from a smaller tech company here in Seattle. I filed my initial claim right after my layoff even though I was getting 4 weeks of continued pay, and it was definitely the right decision. One thing I learned that might help you - when you're reporting your continued paychecks as income, make sure you report them for the week the payment is actually deposited, not the week it represents. So if you get paid bi-weekly and your paycheck covering 7/20-8/2 gets deposited on 8/5, you report that income for the week containing 8/5. This tripped me up initially because I was thinking about it wrong. Also, start keeping a simple spreadsheet or document tracking your job search activities from day one. Even if you're not getting benefits yet, you'll need to show those three activities per week, and it's so much easier to track as you go rather than trying to remember everything later. I used a basic format with date, company name, position title, and type of activity (application, networking contact, etc.). The ESD website definitely has its quirks but once you get into the routine of weekly claims it becomes pretty automatic. You've gotten great advice here - file this week and don't second-guess it!

I'm new to this community but wanted to chime in since I just went through a very similar situation with my layoff from a local startup last month. The advice here is solid - definitely file your initial claim right away! One thing I'd add is to take screenshots of your severance agreement/documentation before you file. ESD sometimes asks for clarification on how severance is structured (lump sum vs. salary continuation), and having that info handy can save you from delays. Also, if your company offers any career transition services or job placement assistance as part of your severance package, those don't count as income but you should still mention them if ESD asks about other benefits you're receiving. The hardest part for me was wrapping my head around doing job search activities while still technically employed, but it makes sense once you understand that you're establishing future eligibility. Start that spreadsheet tracking now - even basic networking conversations or informational interviews count toward your three weekly activities. You're asking all the right questions and getting great advice here. The system isn't as scary as it seems once you get started!

This whole thing reminds me of when my uncle had an UI appeal last year. His status changed to 'determined' but then nothing happened for like 3 weeks. Turns out they sent his determination letter to his old address even though he'd updated his info online. He had to go physically to the WorkSource office to get a copy of the letter. Maybe check if your address is correct in the system?

Congratulations Isabella! That's such wonderful news! I've been following your situation and I'm so relieved it worked out in your favor. The whole ESD appeal process is incredibly stressful, especially when you're dealing with financial pressure. It's great that you were persistent in calling them to get the result early rather than just waiting for the mail. Your story gives me hope for my own pending appeal. Thanks for sharing the update and best of luck with getting that backpay processed quickly!

After reading all these comments, I think your best three options are: 1. Use a service like Claimyr to actually reach an ESD agent who can look at your file 2. File that expedited processing form for your appeal that was mentioned 3. Contact your state representative's office for help The governor's office route is unlikely to help based on everyone's experiences. The most important thing is proving you were laid off rather than quitting. Make sure you have your termination notice, any emails about the layoff, and contact information for your former employer's HR department ready. The ESD adjudicator will likely contact your employer to verify the circumstances.

I went through something very similar last year - the frustration of being marked as "voluntary quit" when you were actually laid off is maddening! Based on my experience and what others have shared here, I'd recommend trying multiple approaches simultaneously: First, definitely file that expedited processing request that Dmitry mentioned since your appeal has been pending over 30 days. Second, your state representative's office can be surprisingly effective - they have direct contacts at ESD and can often get movement on stuck cases. One thing I learned: when you do finally reach someone at ESD, ask them to put notes in your file about the conversation and get a reference number. This helps if you need to call back later. Also, if your former employer hasn't responded to ESD's inquiry about your termination (which could be causing the delay), you can provide them with your HR contact's direct information to speed things up. Don't give up - wrongful denials do get overturned, but it takes persistence. Document every attempt you make to contact them with dates and times. This can be useful if you need to escalate further.