Just want to echo everyone else - file immediately! Washington ESD is pretty strict about not backdating claims. I work in HR and see people make this mistake all the time.

Great to hear you got it filed! Just a heads up - remember to do your weekly claims every Sunday starting this week. Even if you haven't found work yet, you still need to certify that you're unemployed and actively looking. Missing a weekly claim can mess up your benefits flow. Good luck with the job search!

Just want to add that if your severance includes things like unused vacation pay or bonuses, those might be treated differently than regular severance. Make sure you understand what's included in your package.

The bottom line is yes, you can collect both, but the severance will likely reduce your unemployment benefits. The exact amount depends on your weekly benefit rate and how much severance you receive each week. Just be honest and accurate in your reporting.

lol found it in your car floorboard? I once found my jury duty summons in my dogs toy basket 3 months late. thought for sure id get arrested but nothing ever happened 🤷‍♀️

Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get through to ESD and reschedule your appointment? Your payments might be on hold until you complete the interview, but they should resume (including any missed weeks) once you satisfy the requirement. Let us know how it turned out!

One more thing to consider: When you file your new claim, ESD will use your base year earnings to determine eligibility. Depending on when you worked before your surgery and how long you've been on medical leave, make sure you have enough qualifying wages in your base year. The base year is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. If your paid medical leave counts as wages (some does, some doesn't depending on the program), this may actually help your claim.

I went through something similar after my knee replacement surgery last year. The key thing that helped me was being very clear in my new application about the timeline and how my circumstances had completely changed. I included a brief timeline in the "additional information" section: denied X date due to upcoming surgery, surgery completed on Y date, medical clearance received Z date, now actively seeking work. Also, make sure you keep all your job search documentation organized from day one - I used a simple spreadsheet with company name, position, date applied, and method (online, email, etc.). ESD loves detailed records and it shows you're serious about finding work. One tip: when you do your weekly certifications, there's often a question about whether anything has changed in your ability to work. This is where you can reference your medical clearance if needed. Good luck with your recovery and the new claim!

Don't overthink it - if your hours were cut through no fault of your own, you likely qualify for partial benefits. The worst they can do is say no, but you won't know unless you apply.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you keep detailed records of your reduced hours and wages. If Washington ESD needs to verify your earnings during the claim process, having pay stubs and work schedules readily available can speed things up significantly. I learned this the hard way when they asked for documentation and I had to scramble to find everything. Also, don't wait too long to apply - you can file as soon as your hours are reduced, and benefits can be backdated only so far.