Here's what I suggest based on helping several people through similar situations: 1. First, file an appeal specifically about the hour calculation. Bring any evidence showing more hours worked (paystubs, timesheets, etc). 2. Contact your State Representative's office. They have liaisons who can often get answers from ESD much faster than you can alone. 3. For those original 3 weeks showing as pending: call ESD specifically about those. They might be able to release those payments since they're from your previous claim that you were eligible for. 4. Don't wait until January to file a new claim - mark your calendar for exactly January 1st, 2026 and apply that day to include Q3 hours. 5. In the meantime, register with WorkSource immediately. They can help with job search and might know of short-term opportunities while you wait. The system is frustrating but navigable with persistence!

Did you submit ALL your paystubs when you reapplied? I found out that my employer didn't report all my hours to ESD correctly, which is why my hours were short. If you have paystubs showing more hours than what ESD is counting, definitely appeal and submit those documents. Also - about changing careers - WorkSource has some great retraining programs that can even extend your benefits while you learn a new skill. Worth looking into!

Update us on how it goes! Always helpful to hear how others' claims process, especially for situations like yours without formal termination documentation.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when my construction job ended abruptly. No termination letter, just told to clean out my locker and leave. I was stressed about filing but went ahead anyway. Washington ESD approved my claim without any issues - they called my former employer to verify the layoff and that was it. The whole process took about 2.5 weeks from filing to first payment. Don't let the lack of paperwork stop you from filing right away!

Bottom line: there are no walk-in unemployment offices anymore. Your options are phone (good luck), online portal (limited help), online messaging (slow), or mail (very slow). That's the reality of the current system.

I feel your frustration! I went through the same thing last year. Since there really aren't any physical offices doing walk-ins anymore, here's what finally worked for me: I kept a log of when I called and noticed I had better luck calling around 2:30-3:00 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Also, make sure you have all your documents ready before you call - SSN, claim confirmation number, employer info, etc. When you do get through, they can often resolve multiple issues in one call. Don't give up, it's incredibly frustrating but you will eventually get connected to someone who can help with your adjudication issue.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - had to leave my job due to a chronic condition that flares up unpredictably. From what I've learned, Washington ESD is pretty strict about the "able and available" requirement, but there might be some wiggle room depending on your specific circumstances. If your doctor says you could do certain types of work (like sedentary office work) even if you can't do your previous job, that might help your case. I'd definitely recommend getting a detailed letter from your doctor about your limitations and capabilities. Also, look into Washington State's Paid Family and Medical Leave program - it's separate from unemployment but might provide some income support during your recovery period. The application process is through the ESD website but it's a different program entirely.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! Based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like I should explore multiple options rather than just focusing on regular unemployment. I'm going to check into that Paid Family and Medical Leave program that James and Justin mentioned - that sounds like it might be exactly what I need since it's designed for medical situations like mine. I'll also get a detailed letter from my doctor about what types of work I might still be able to do, just in case that helps with the "able and available" requirement. And if I need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD, it sounds like that Claimyr service might be worth trying to get through their phone system. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge - this community has been so much more helpful than trying to navigate the ESD website on my own!

UPDATE: I called ESD this morning and finally got through to someone after using that Claimyr service. The agent confirmed that I should only report the wages portion of the settlement on my weekly claim. She also suggested I add a note in the comments section explaining that I received a settlement and am reporting just the wages component. Thanks everyone for your help!

Great to see you got official confirmation from ESD! That's exactly the right approach - when in doubt with these kinds of situations, always better to get it straight from the source. Your experience will definitely help others who might face similar settlement reporting questions. Congrats again on winning your case and handling the reporting correctly!