So glad to see your payment came through! As someone who went through a similar 5-week adjudication wait last year, I totally understand that anxiety about bills piling up. One thing I'd add for anyone else reading this - if you're still waiting for approval, consider reaching out to your utility companies and creditors to explain the situation. Many have hardship programs or will work with you on payment plans while you're waiting for unemployment benefits. I was surprised how understanding most companies were when I explained I was waiting for ESD approval. Also, keep all your documentation from this process - sometimes there are delays or issues with future payments and having records of when things were approved and paid really helps when you need to contact ESD later.

As someone who just went through this exact same process a few months ago, I can relate to that anxiety! The good news is that once you get through this first payment, the system becomes much more predictable. A few things that helped me during my unemployment period: 1) Set up text/email alerts with your bank so you know immediately when deposits hit, 2) Keep a simple spreadsheet tracking your weekly claim dates and payment statuses - it helps you spot any irregularities quickly, and 3) If you haven't already, familiarize yourself with the ESD holiday schedule since payments can be delayed during federal holidays. Also, don't hesitate to use the secure messaging system in eServices if you have questions - I found the responses were usually pretty helpful and much faster than trying to call. Wishing you all the best as you navigate this process!

I'm actually in the exact same boat - just got laid off from my customer service job and have been thinking about going back to school for nursing prerequisites. This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! It sounds like the key is being strategic about your class schedule and totally transparent with Washington ESD. I'm leaning toward taking 2-3 evening classes at my local community college since that would keep me available during business hours for potential job opportunities. The fact that someone actually called Washington ESD and got confirmation that evening classes are generally fine is such a relief. I was so worried about accidentally doing something that would jeopardize my benefits. Now I feel confident enough to start researching programs and planning my schedule around both school and job searching. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's made this decision so much easier!

I'm in a very similar situation - just got laid off from my warehouse job and have been considering going back to school for a trade certification while collecting unemployment. This whole thread has been incredibly informative! Based on everything I've read here, it sounds like the key is being really strategic about your class schedule and completely transparent with Washington ESD about your enrollment and availability. The fact that someone actually called and got direct confirmation from an agent that evening classes are generally fine is such a huge relief. I was so worried about accidentally jeopardizing my benefits by making the wrong choice. I'm now planning to look into evening welding or HVAC programs at my local community college since those would keep me available during normal business hours for any job opportunities that come up. It's also encouraging to hear about the Commissioner Approved Training program for high-demand fields - sounds like trade programs might actually qualify for that. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and especially to those who took the time to actually call Washington ESD for official guidance. This thread has given me the confidence to move forward with my education plans!

This thread has been so helpful! I've been stressing about the unemployment question on applications for weeks, thinking employers were trying to weed me out. Reading all these perspectives - especially from actual hiring managers and HR people - really puts things in context. It sounds like most of the time it's just administrative paperwork and sometimes can even work in our favor with tax credits and hiring incentives. I'm going to stop overthinking it and just be honest about my Washington ESD status while focusing on showing why I'm the right fit for each job. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and knowledge!

I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here! As someone who's been dealing with the same anxiety about that unemployment question, it's such a relief to learn that it's mostly administrative and sometimes even beneficial. I had one interview last week where the hiring manager actually said they appreciated that I was being proactive about my job search while properly managing my Washington ESD claim. It showed I was organized and following the right procedures. For anyone still worried about this - focus on highlighting your skills and enthusiasm for the role. The unemployment status is just paperwork, but your qualifications and attitude are what actually get you hired!

I just had my RESEA appointment yesterday and wanted to share since you're going next week! I was really nervous too, especially after reading some mixed experiences online, but it ended up being totally fine. The healthcare focus is definitely a plus - make sure to mention that early in the conversation. They had a whole section of resources specifically for medical professionals that I didn't know about. My counselor was really understanding about wanting to stay in my field and didn't push me toward anything outside healthcare at all. One thing that really helped was bringing my job search activities organized by date in a simple list format. They enter everything into their computer system during the appointment, so having it clear and easy to read sped things up a lot. Also, if you've been doing any online courses or certifications (even free ones), definitely include those - they count as valid job search activities. The whole thing took about 2 hours including some computer assessments, but the time went by pretty quickly. The staff were genuinely helpful and it felt more like getting career advice than being evaluated. They even gave me some tips on healthcare job boards I hadn't been using. You'll do great! Just be honest about your job search efforts and don't stress too much about it. Good luck on Tuesday!

I had my RESEA appointment about two months ago and wanted to share my experience since you're going next Tuesday! I was in a similar situation - got the letter and immediately panicked about what to expect. The good news is it's really not as scary as it seems. Since you mentioned you're in healthcare, definitely lead with that when you introduce yourself. They have specific resources and connections for medical professionals that can be really valuable. My counselor was able to connect me with a few healthcare recruiters in the area that I hadn't found on my own. Make sure your job search log is detailed and up to date - they'll review it carefully but it's more to help you strategize than to catch you doing something wrong. Include everything: applications, networking events, online courses, even informational interviews if you've done any. They count it all. The appointment itself was about 1.5-2 hours and included reviewing my eligibility, going over my job search activities, updating my resume, and doing a basic skills assessment on the computer. Nothing too difficult, just want to see where your skills are at. One thing I really appreciated was that they didn't pressure me to take jobs outside my field at all. They understood that healthcare professionals have specific qualifications and experience that shouldn't be wasted on unrelated work. You'll be fine! Just be prepared, be honest about your job search efforts, and don't be afraid to ask questions about resources they have available. Good luck!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - 8 weeks stuck in adjudication, facing eviction, the whole nightmare. Here's what finally worked for me: I called the governor's office AND my state senator's office on the same day, then followed up with written complaints to both within 24 hours. The key was being very specific about the timeline and financial impact. In your written communication, include: - Exact dates of when you filed and when adjudication started - Number of attempted contacts with ESD (you mentioned 23 calls) - Specific financial hardship (mention the apartment situation with timeline) - Your claim number and contact info The senator's office actually got back to me first and had someone from ESD call me within 3 business days. Turns out my case was just sitting in a queue with no one assigned to review it. Sometimes you really do need that external pressure to get things moving. Don't give up - 9 weeks is definitely long enough to warrant escalation. You're not asking for special treatment, just for them to do their job.

I've been watching this thread and wanted to add one more resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation last year. The Washington State Office of the Ombuds can sometimes help with state agency issues like this. Their number is 1-800-562-6028 and they have a specific process for ESD complaints. What made the difference in my case was calling them AND filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau against ESD at the same time. The BBB complaint creates a paper trail that agencies have to respond to within a certain timeframe. It sounds like overkill, but when you're facing eviction, you need to hit them from multiple angles. Also, if you do get through to ESD (whether through Claimyr or the governor's office), ask to speak with a supervisor immediately. Don't let them tell you to "just wait" - after 9 weeks you have every right to demand escalation within their system. Get the supervisor's name and direct number if possible. Hang in there - I know how hopeless this feels but you're doing all the right things by reaching out everywhere you can.