One more thing - make sure you're meeting the job search requirements while waiting! You need to document at least 3 job search activities each week. Keep detailed records of everything - position, company, application method, contact info, etc. ESD can audit your job search logs even months later, and if they find you weren't meeting requirements, you could be asked to repay benefits.

I'm in a similar situation - filed 2.5 weeks ago and still showing "processing" status. What's really frustrating is the lack of communication from ESD. A simple automated update like "your claim is being reviewed, estimated completion in X days" would help so much with the anxiety. I've been diligent about filing weekly claims and checking messages, but the uncertainty is the worst part. Has anyone found that contacting their state representative's office helps speed things up? I've heard mixed results but wondering if it's worth trying at this point.

good luck with everything! the first few weeks are always the most stressful

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who's been on Washington ESD for about 8 months now. The payment timing really does follow the pattern everyone's described - mostly Tuesdays and Wednesdays. One thing I learned the hard way is to always file your weekly claim as early as possible on Sunday. I used to wait until Sunday evening and sometimes my payments would get pushed to Wednesday or Thursday. Now I file first thing Sunday morning and consistently get paid on Tuesday. Also, if you're with a credit union, they sometimes process deposits faster than big banks. Hope this helps ease some of the uncertainty!

One other thing - if you're receiving these referral fees via 1099, remember you'll owe self-employment tax on them. Might be worth setting aside about 30% of what you receive for taxes (15.3% self-employment tax plus income tax). Just something to consider when calculating whether the larger commissions are worth forgoing your UI benefit for that week.

Just wanted to add - make sure you're crystal clear on the timing of when you report these commissions. Report them in the week you actually RECEIVE the payment, not when you make the referral or when the deal closes. I made this mistake early on and it created a mess with my claim timing. Also, if your former employer is cutting you checks or direct deposits for these referrals, keep copies of everything - pay stubs, deposit records, emails confirming the referral arrangements. ESD may ask for documentation during their periodic claim reviews, and having everything organized will save you major headaches if they ever audit your claim.

Hopefully this thread helps other people going through appeals. It's good to see real timelines and outcomes instead of just the official Washington ESD information that doesn't tell you what really happens.

Congrats on winning your appeal! I went through a similar situation last year with Washington ESD - they initially denied my claim for misconduct but I won on appeal. The timeline they give you is actually pretty accurate. In my case, it took exactly 8 business days from the judge's decision to when I saw the money in my account. The back pay came first (all at once), then my regular weekly payments resumed automatically. Just make sure you keep filing your weekly claims during this waiting period. Also, double-check your payment amounts when they start - sometimes there are calculation errors after appeals get processed. The waiting is nerve-wracking but you're almost there!

did u get paid yet? curious if it went thru ok

Congrats on getting your first payment! 🎉 Your experience is really helpful for others going through the same thing. It's reassuring to see that the "approved" status actually means what it says and that the pending payments do process within a reasonable timeframe. Thanks for following up with the outcome - so many people post their questions but never update us on how things turned out. Hope the rest of your unemployment journey goes smoothly!