Thanks everyone for all the helpful information. This thread has given me a lot to think about and some concrete steps to take. At least I feel like I have a better understanding of my options now.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now - my benefits are set to end in about 3 weeks and I'm terrified. Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening. I had no idea about some of these options like applying for SNAP or checking into county assistance programs. The Claimyr service sounds like it might be worth trying too since I've been completely unable to get through to anyone at Washington ESD to ask about my wage credits. It's scary how little support there seems to be once regular UI runs out, but at least now I have some concrete steps I can take instead of just panicking. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it helps to know I'm not alone in this.

Update: I used that Claimyr service and actually got through to ESD today! The agent told me that my case was flagged because my employer initially contested the layoff (what the heck??) but they just received confirmation from HR that it was indeed a legitimate reduction in force. She said the adjudicator should make a decision within a week. Fingers crossed!! Thanks everyone for your help.

Dmitry, that's such a relief that you finally got some concrete information! Employer contests are unfortunately more common than people realize - sometimes it's automatic on their end when someone files for unemployment, even for legitimate layoffs. The fact that HR confirmed it was a reduction in force should definitely work in your favor. One thing to keep in mind - since there was a contest, make sure you have any documentation from your layoff saved (layoff notice, final payday stub, etc.) in case the adjudicator needs additional verification. And definitely continue filing your weekly claims even if they show as disqualified until this resolves. Really hoping you get good news within the week! The "in progress" status combined with the employer contest being resolved sounds very promising.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm actually in almost the exact same boat - benefit year ending soon and worried about the reapplication process. One thing I wanted to add based on my experience: when you do apply for the new claim, make sure your contact information is completely up to date in the system. I moved during my first claim period and forgot to update my address, which caused a 3-week delay when they tried to mail me forms to the wrong address. Also, if you're planning to apply that last week before your benefit year ends, I'd recommend doing it earlier in the week rather than waiting until Friday. A friend of mine applied on a Friday afternoon and said the system seemed really slow/glitchy, probably because of high traffic. She ended up having to call Monday to make sure it went through properly. Sounds like you've got a solid plan though! Having 6 months of full-time work should definitely put you in good shape for qualifying. The fact that your new job paid more should also help with that 15% rule someone mentioned earlier.

Just want to echo what others have said about keeping detailed records throughout this whole process! I went through a similar situation last year and one thing that really helped was creating a simple spreadsheet tracking all the key dates - when I applied, when my benefit year ended, when I filed each weekly claim, etc. Also, if you do end up needing to call ESD for any reason during this transition, try calling right at 8am when they open. I had much better luck getting through in that first hour compared to later in the day. And definitely have all your information ready - claim number, SSN, recent employer info - because they'll ask for it right away to verify your identity. One more tip: if your new claim does get approved, don't be surprised if your first payment under the new claim takes an extra week or two to process even after approval. Something about their system switching between old and new claims can cause a delay in the payment schedule. Just something to factor into your budgeting! Sounds like you're being really proactive about planning ahead, which is smart. Good luck with everything!

Update: My payment FINALLY showed up this morning!! Exactly 14 days after my approval letter. Thanks everyone for your help and keeping me sane during the wait. For anyone else dealing with this - just know there seems to be about a 2-week delay between approval and actually getting paid.

Hey Connor, glad you finally got your payment! I went through the exact same thing last year - that 2-week wait feels like forever when you're stressing about bills. Just a heads up for the future: I noticed ESD sometimes has random processing hiccups where payments get delayed even after you're in the regular cycle. Keep an eye on your payment dates and don't panic if one week takes a day or two longer than usual. The system isn't perfect but it does work eventually. Hope everything goes smoothly for you from here on out!

To answer your original question directly - yes, Washington ESD is absolutely still accepting new unemployment applications in 2025. The system is operational and processing claims regularly. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

One important thing to add - make sure you have all your employment documentation ready before you start the application. Washington ESD will need your last employer's name, address, dates of employment, and your wages. Having your pay stubs and W-2s handy will make the process much smoother. Also, if you have any union affiliation or were part of a mass layoff, mention that as it might affect your claim processing time. The online system will walk you through everything step by step, so don't stress too much about it!