Just wanted to add that construction workers sometimes have additional considerations with their claims since the work is often seasonal or project-based. Make sure when you're doing your job searches that you're looking for work that matches your availability and skills - ESD requires "suitable work" searches, not just any random jobs. For construction, that usually means looking at union halls, contractor websites, and industry-specific job boards. Also, if you have any union affiliation, make sure you're checking in with them regularly as that can sometimes count toward your work search requirements. Good luck!

Adding to what others have said - I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago when I got laid off from my warehouse job. That "disqualified" status for Week 1 is definitely the waiting week, even though the terminology is super confusing. What helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to track my weekly claims and job search activities from the very beginning. I'd recommend documenting everything - dates you filed, what status shows up, your three job searches each week with company names and how you applied. This way if any issues come up later, you have all your records organized. The construction industry can be tricky with unemployment since work is often temporary, but as long as you keep filing consistently and doing your job searches, you should be fine. Don't let that first week status stress you out!

The key is just getting started with the process. Don't overthink it - file your claim, file weekly, look for work, and be patient with the system.

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - definitely file right away! I made the same mistake as some others here and waited thinking I needed to be unemployed longer. Cost me about 10 days of potential benefits because I didn't understand the system. The waiting week is mandatory regardless of when you file, so there's literally no benefit to delaying your application. Washington ESD's online system at esd.wa.gov is pretty user-friendly once you get started. Make sure you have your last employer's information handy and your social security number. Good luck with your claim!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm also seeing $0 on my claim that I filed 6 days ago. Reading everyone's experiences here is way more informative than anything I could find on the official Washington ESD website. It sounds like 1-2 weeks is pretty typical for the wage verification process to complete. I'll try to be patient and keep checking daily. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and outcomes - it really helps reduce the anxiety of not knowing what's normal!

I'm in the same boat - filed my claim 5 days ago and seeing that dreaded $0 benefit amount. It's honestly terrifying when you're already stressed about losing your job and then the system shows zero dollars. But reading through all these experiences has been incredibly reassuring! It seems like the 1-3 week timeframe for wage verification is pretty standard. I'm going to try to be patient and keep checking daily rather than driving myself crazy trying to get through on the phone lines. Really appreciate everyone sharing their timelines and outcomes here - this community support means a lot during an already difficult time.

Just remember that the $999 maximum is gross, so after taxes and any other deductions you'll take home less than that. But it's still a decent amount to help bridge the gap while you're looking for work.

Just went through this process myself last month. With your $4,200 monthly salary, you should definitely qualify for close to the maximum $999 weekly benefit, assuming you worked at that level for at least a few months during your base period. The key thing is that Washington ESD calculates based on your highest-earning quarter, so if you were consistently making that amount, you're in good shape. Make sure to file online as soon as possible - the sooner you get your claim in, the sooner you'll start receiving benefits. Good luck with your claim!

This thread has been super helpful! I was worried I was doing something wrong with my direct deposit setup. Good to know KeyBank is handling everything correctly on Washington ESD's end.

One tip I learned the hard way - make sure to double check that your bank account is actually set up to receive ACH transfers. I had my direct deposit info entered correctly in the Washington ESD system but my small local bank had some restriction that blocked the KeyBank deposits. Had to call my bank and specifically request ACH transfers be enabled for government payments. Cost me two weeks of delayed payments while I figured that out!