Congratulations on getting your claim approved! This thread is so helpful - I'm dealing with the same identity verification delay right now (going on week 2). I had no idea about checking for those hidden "Additional Information Needed" alerts in eServices. Just logged in and found one requesting a utility bill for address verification that I completely missed! Uploading it now. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips here - it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in this frustrating process.

Just wanted to add another tip that helped me - if you're still waiting after uploading all your documents, try calling ESD first thing in the morning (like 8:01 AM) when they open. The wait times are usually shorter then. Also, when you do get through to someone, ask them to specifically check if there are any "internal notes" on your account that might explain the delay. Sometimes there are system flags or additional review requirements that aren't visible to you in eServices but the agents can see them. I had a weird flag on mine that was causing extra delays, and the agent was able to clear it immediately once we identified it. Hope this helps someone else avoid the weeks of unnecessary waiting!

Anyone else think the whole partial unemployment process should be simplified? Like why make people jump through the same hoops as regular unemployment when they're already working?

I'm in a really similar boat - my restaurant cut everyone's hours to like 20 hours a week and I had no idea partial unemployment was even possible! This whole thread is a lifesaver. One question though - if my employer eventually brings my hours back up to full-time, do I just stop filing weekly claims? Or do I need to formally close my unemployment claim somehow?

One final note - if you do run into any complications with your claim or need to speak with Washington ESD about your specific situation, remember that Claimyr option I mentioned earlier. Sometimes having a real conversation with an ESD agent can clear up issues that would otherwise drag on for weeks through the online system.

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who works in payroll - the unemployment tax system is pretty fair when you understand it. Employers pay into the fund continuously based on their payroll, and the rate adjustments based on claims history actually encourage good employment practices. Companies that maintain stable workforces and only lay people off when truly necessary end up with lower rates over time. It's designed to make unemployment insurance sustainable while protecting workers who lose jobs through no fault of their own. Don't feel guilty about filing - you and your employer both contributed to this system while you were working.

One more thing to consider - once you start your job, you'll file one more weekly claim for your last week of unemployment (the partial week before starting work). If you start mid-week, you can report your earnings for the days you worked, and potentially get partial benefits for the days you didn't work. Just be honest about your hours and earnings when you file that final claim.

Congrats on getting your job back! I went through something similar last year. Just wanted to emphasize what others have said - definitely report the job offer on your next weekly claim when it asks about accepting future work. I made the mistake of thinking I only needed to report it when I actually started, but ESD specifically wants to know about offers too. Also, if you're looking for job search activities that don't feel wasteful, you could do things like update your LinkedIn profile, attend virtual job fairs, or do online career assessments. Those all count toward your 3 required activities and might actually be useful for your career even though you already have this position lined up.

Final reminder - if Washington ESD does approve you for benefits while in school, they can always review your case later. Make sure you're completely honest about your availability and school schedule. Getting caught in a misrepresentation can lead to serious overpayment issues.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - considering going back to school for a different program. From what I've read here and researched myself, it seems like the key is really whether you can demonstrate you're still "able and available" for work. Have you looked into whether your nursing program has any clinical rotations or externships that might count as job-related training? Sometimes those programs have different rules. Also, definitely document everything with your current employer about the schedule conflict - if they truly can't accommodate ANY flexibility for your education, that might strengthen your case. The constructive discharge angle mentioned earlier could be worth exploring too.