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For what it's worth, I've never had an employer react negatively to the unemployment notice. Most understand that people lose jobs and need to file for benefits. It's really not a big deal in most workplaces.
Glad I could help with the Claimyr suggestion too. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person to get clarity on these things.
Just wanted to share my recent experience since this thread helped me so much. I filed for unemployment about 3 weeks ago after being laid off from my main job while keeping my weekend retail position. My weekend boss did get the notification and actually brought it up to me, but it was totally fine - she just wanted to make sure I was doing okay and that she wasn't going to lose me as an employee too! She said they get these notices pretty regularly and it's never been an issue. I've been reporting my weekend earnings on my weekly claims and everything has been smooth. Really wish I hadn't spent so much time worrying about it. The financial relief has been huge and I can focus on job searching instead of stressing about bills.
Thanks for sharing your actual experience! This is exactly what I needed to hear. It's so reassuring to know that your boss was understanding and even supportive about the situation. I've been overthinking this whole thing for weeks when I should have just filed already. Your story about being able to focus on job searching instead of stressing about bills really hits home - that's exactly where I want to be right now.
UPDATE: You all were right! I finally got through to ESD this morning after trying for days. The agent explained that my claim is being reviewed by two different specialists - one handling an employment verification issue and another reviewing my availability for work. The different dates were showing depending on which part of my case was being updated. She said I should expect a decision within 7-10 business days! Such a relief to finally understand what's happening. Thanks everyone for your help and sharing your experiences!
That's awesome!! Fingers crossed for you! 🤞
So glad you got through and got real answers! This is exactly why calling ESD directly (even though it's a pain) is so important. Your experience perfectly illustrates what many of us have been saying - those date changes usually DO mean progress is happening, even when it doesn't feel like it. Having two specialists working on different parts of your claim actually sounds like they're being thorough. Hoping you get good news in those 7-10 days! Keep us posted on how it goes.
This is such a helpful thread for everyone dealing with similar issues! @Oliver Becker your persistence really paid off - it s'encouraging to see that the date changes actually meant your claim was being actively worked on. I m'dealing with something similar right now where my adjudication date keeps fluctuating, and reading everyone s'experiences here makes me feel less crazy about it. Definitely going to try calling ESD directly based on your success. Thanks for taking the time to update us with what you learned!
Don't give up hope! I was in your exact situation about 8 months ago. Here's what saved me: I immediately enrolled in a medical coding certification program through my local community college that was approved for Worker Retraining benefits. Not only did I get to continue receiving unemployment payments while training, but the program was completely free except for textbooks (about $200 total). The certification took 6 months and I found a remote job within 2 weeks of completing it. The key is acting fast - you need to get enrolled and get your Training Benefits approved BEFORE your regular UI runs out. Contact both WorkSource and your community college's financial aid office this week. They can walk you through which programs qualify and help you apply for everything at once. Even if you're not sure what field you want to train in, they have career counselors who can help match your skills to in-demand jobs in your area. Also, while you're getting that sorted out, definitely apply for SNAP benefits now. The application process can take a few weeks and you'll want that safety net in place. You've got this!
This gives me so much hope! Medical coding sounds like something I could actually do. How did you find out which community college programs were approved for Worker Retraining? Did you have to meet with someone in person or could you get that information online? I'm going to call WorkSource first thing Monday morning, but if you have any specific tips about the application process that would be amazing. Also, congratulations on finding a job so quickly after finishing - that's incredible!
I just went through this exact situation 6 months ago! Here's what worked for me: First, definitely keep filing your weekly claims even after exhaustion - this is crucial. Second, contact WorkSource immediately about Training Benefits. I got approved for a cybersecurity bootcamp that was fully funded through Worker Retraining, and it extended my unemployment for the entire 9-month program. The trick is to start the application process NOW, not after your benefits run out. I visited my local WorkSource office in person (way more effective than calling) and they helped me apply for both the training program and Training Benefits on the same day. Within 3 weeks I was enrolled and my unemployment continued seamlessly. Also check if Extended Benefits are currently triggered in WA - the state unemployment rate has to hit certain thresholds, so availability changes. But even if EB isn't available, the training route can be a game-changer. Don't wait - get to WorkSource this week!
This is exactly the kind of advice I needed to hear! It sounds like going to WorkSource in person really makes a difference compared to trying to navigate everything online or over the phone. I'm definitely going to visit my local office this week. Did you have to have a specific career goal in mind when you met with them, or were they able to help you figure out what training programs would be a good fit? I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the different options but your success story gives me hope that there's a path forward even when regular benefits run out.
Wow, I didn't know the course could potentially count as a job search activity! That's really helpful. I'll definitely keep detailed documentation of everything. Thanks for the tip!
I'm in a similar situation and have been researching this extensively! From what I've learned, you should be totally fine taking that medical billing course as long as it's part-time and flexible like you described. The 10-15 hours per week sounds perfect. A few things that might help: - When you answer the weekly claim question about school/training, be honest and say yes, but you can usually add notes explaining it's part-time and doesn't interfere with work availability - Keep records of your course schedule and how it doesn't conflict with potential work hours - Medical billing is definitely a growing field, so this could really help your job prospects! I'm actually considering a similar online certification myself. Have you looked into whether completing the course might open up remote work opportunities? That could expand your job search even more. Good luck with both the course and your job search!
That's really encouraging to hear from someone in a similar situation! Yes, I've been looking into the remote opportunities for medical billing and it seems like there are quite a few companies hiring remotely now, which would definitely expand my options beyond just local jobs. Have you found any specific certification programs that employers seem to prefer? I'm trying to make sure I pick one that will actually be recognized by hiring managers. The flexibility aspect is definitely key for me too since I want to make sure I can still drop everything for an interview or job offer if one comes up. Thanks for the tip about keeping records of the course schedule - I hadn't thought about documenting that but it makes total sense in case ESD has questions later!
Isla Fischer
Good luck with calling tomorrow morning Javier! I had a similar adjudication issue last year and it took me about 3 weeks of trying before I finally got through. The 8am timing tip is solid - that's when I eventually had success too. Just be prepared to potentially try multiple days since even calling right at opening doesn't guarantee you'll get through on the first try. But once you do connect with someone, they're usually pretty helpful with resolving the actual issue.
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Mateo Gonzalez
•Thanks for the encouragement Isla! It's reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same thing. I'm mentally preparing myself for it to take multiple attempts - at least now I know I'm not alone in this struggle. The fact that they're actually helpful once you get through gives me hope. I'll start calling at 8am sharp tomorrow and keep trying until I get through.
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Harmony Love
Just wanted to add that I successfully used Claimyr about a month ago when I was dealing with a similar adjudication delay. I was skeptical at first because I'd never heard of it, but after reading some positive reviews I decided to give it a try. Cost me around $20 but honestly it was worth every penny - got connected to a Washington ESD agent within 30 minutes and had my issue resolved that same day. For anyone who's been trying to call for weeks without success, it might be worth checking out. They have different service levels too so you can choose what fits your budget.
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Sofia Morales
•Thanks for sharing your experience with Claimyr, Harmony! I'm definitely considering it as a backup option if I can't get through with regular calling tomorrow morning. $20 seems reasonable if it actually works - I've already lost more than that in time off work trying to deal with this issue. Did you have to provide them with your personal info to use the service, or how does it work exactly?
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