One more thing to be aware of - if his claim shows active but doesn't reflect his most recent employment, he might need to call and have them add missing wages. This is especially important if he worked for a different employer since his last claim. The system sometimes doesn't automatically pick up all employers. If the wages and benefit amount look correct based on his recent work history, then you're probably good to go and just need to wait for processing.

Just went through this same process in January! My claim also showed active immediately with the benefit amount calculated. I got my first payment exactly 8 days after filing my first weekly claim. One tip - make sure he's checking his eServices account regularly for any messages or requests for additional information. Sometimes they'll ask for clarification on something and if you miss it, it can delay the whole process. Also, since he's had previous claims, the system should have most of his info already which definitely speeds things up. Just keep filing those weekly claims on time every week - that's the most important thing right now!

Thanks again everyone! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident about filing now. I'll update you all on how it goes!

Based on what you've shared, you should definitely qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington. With 18 months of work history and $28,000 in earnings, you're well above the minimum requirements. The store closure is a clear qualifying separation since it's through no fault of your own. I'd recommend filing your claim as soon as your last day of work is complete - don't wait! The sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits. The online application process is pretty straightforward, and you can always come back here if you run into any issues during the process.

One last thing - if you think the layoff might be temporary (like a seasonal shutdown), ask about standby status. It's different from regular unemployment and might be easier if your employer expects to call you back.

Thanks everyone for all this helpful information! This is way more detailed than anything I could find on the Washington ESD website. Sounds like I should expect around $600-800/week based on my salary, but I'll use that benefit calculator someone mentioned to get a better estimate. The waiting week and potential delays are definitely concerning - I'm going to start building up some extra savings now just in case. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences, especially about the challenges with getting through to Washington ESD if issues come up. Hopefully I won't need any of this advice, but at least now I know what to expect if the worst happens.

my cousin only got 16 weeks even though he had over 1000 hours!!! said it was because he didnt work for 2 months during his base year or something like that. ESD is ALWAYS looking for ways to pay u less, dont assume u'll get 26 weeks just because thats what everyone is saying!!!

Update: I just got my monetary determination letter today! You all were right - I qualified for the full 26 weeks since I had steady work over my base year. My weekly benefit amount is $844 and maximum benefit amount is $21,944. Thanks everyone for the help! Now I just need to make sure I keep up with those job search requirements.

Update us when you figure out what happened! I'm curious what the actual reason was for the disqualification.

I had a similar issue a couple months ago where I got a random disqualification week that made no sense. After reading through all these responses, it sounds like you've covered most of the common causes. Since you're sure about your earnings, job searches, and availability, this really does sound like either a system glitch or something related to that dental appointment you mentioned. The fact that you marked yourself as available but had an appointment might have confused their system somehow. I'd definitely recommend trying that Claimyr service that Danielle mentioned - I ended up having to wait 4+ hours on hold when I finally got through the regular way, and it sounds like they can save you that hassle. Keep us posted on what you find out!