Good luck with everything! The first time is always the hardest but once you get the hang of it, it becomes routine. Don't hesitate to ask questions if you get stuck - this community is pretty helpful.

Just to add to all the great advice here - when you're filling out your initial claim, be really careful with the dates. Make sure you put the actual date you became unemployed, not the date you're filing. And if you worked part-time at multiple restaurants like you mentioned, list ALL of them in your work history for the past 18 months. Missing an employer can cause delays in processing. Also, keep your separation notice or any paperwork from your employer handy - you might need to reference it during the application process.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. Filed for partial benefits while working 20 hours a week. My employer got the form, we had a brief conversation about it, and that was it. No drama, no problems. You'll probably find it's much less stressful than you're imagining.

I just wanted to add that even though your employer will find out through the verification process, most reasonable employers actually appreciate knowing when their part-time employees are struggling financially. Some might even try to help by offering additional hours if they're available. I've seen this happen several times where filing for UI benefits actually opened up a conversation about getting more work. Don't let fear hold you back from getting the support you need!

Hope you get good news soon! The wait is always nerve-wracking but most people's claims do get approved eventually.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 2.5 weeks ago and still waiting for approval. It's really stressful not knowing when it will come through, especially with bills piling up. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like 3-4 weeks is pretty typical for Washington ESD lately, even for straightforward layoff cases. I've been keeping up with my weekly claims like everyone suggests. Has anyone found that checking the SecureAccess Washington account multiple times a day actually helps, or should I try to just check it once a week to preserve my sanity?

This was a really helpful thread. I've been working for about 18 months with a 2-month gap in the middle and was also unsure about applying. Now I know I should definitely give it a try.

Just want to add that I was in almost the exact same situation as you - worked about 15 months with gaps between jobs and was terrified to apply because I thought there was some 2-year continuous work requirement. Turns out that's completely wrong! I applied last fall and got approved pretty quickly. The base period wage calculation is actually pretty straightforward once you understand it's about total earnings in specific quarters, not continuous employment. Don't psych yourself out like I did - if you earned over $1,090 during your base period (which sounds like you definitely did), you should be good to go. The application itself is pretty user-friendly too.

Update us when you hear back! Would be good to know how it turns out. I think you have a decent chance of getting approved based on what you've described.

Based on what you've described, you have a good chance of getting approved. Chronic tardiness due to transportation issues typically isn't considered willful misconduct by Washington ESD, especially if you were making efforts to fix the problem. The fact that you were honest on your application works in your favor too. I went through a similar situation last year - got fired for attendance issues related to childcare problems and still got approved after about 3 weeks of adjudication. The key is that you were still showing up to work, just late, which shows you weren't abandoning your job duties. Keep filing your weekly claims while you wait and stay positive!