Also wanted to mention that Claimyr has been a lifesaver for me when dealing with Washington ESD. If you do end up getting W-2 work and need to file for unemployment later, they can help you navigate the system and actually get through to agents when you have questions. Much better than trying to call on your own.

I'm sorry you're going through this tough situation. As others have mentioned, Washington state doesn't currently have unemployment benefits for 1099 contractors - those ended with the pandemic programs in 2021. However, don't give up hope! Here are some immediate steps you can take: 1) Apply for Basic Food (SNAP) benefits through DSHS - you can do this online, 2) Look into emergency rental assistance programs in your county, 3) Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) for information about local assistance programs, 4) Consider taking on some part-time W-2 work while rebuilding your client base to establish future unemployment eligibility. The freelance life is tough without a safety net, but there are resources available to help bridge the gap. Hang in there!

I've been helping people navigate Washington ESD for years, and unfortunately you're right that in-person filing is basically gone. However, I'd suggest trying one more approach that's worked for many people - if you have a local library, they often have computer assistance programs where staff can help you navigate government websites. Many librarians are trained to help with exactly this type of situation. The Seattle Public Library system has been particularly helpful with unemployment claims. You'd still be filing online, but with knowledgeable support right there beside you. It's not quite the same as the old ESD offices, but it's the closest thing to in-person help you're likely to find.

I had the exact same frustration when I lost my job last year. After trying everything - the broken website, endless phone holds, even driving to what I thought was still an ESD office only to find it closed - I finally had success with a combination approach. I went to my local library (Bellevue Regional Library) where they have a "Digital Navigator" program specifically to help people with government websites. The librarian sat with me for about 45 minutes and we got through the entire application process together. She knew all the common error messages and how to work around the site's quirks. It felt like having that old-school in-person service but adapted for the digital age. Most libraries in King County have similar programs - definitely worth calling ahead to schedule a session. They're used to helping people with ESD claims and know exactly which browsers work best and when to try submitting. Way less stressful than going it alone!

I went through this exact same stress with my PFML claim a few months ago! Here's what I learned: ESD is SUPPOSED to notify you about missing docs, but it's not always reliable. Sometimes the notifications get buried in your portal, sometimes they go to spam, and sometimes (unfortunately) they just don't send them at all. My advice: Don't wait passively. Log into your PFML portal every single day and check both your messages AND your claim status page. Look for any "pending" items or requests for additional information. If you see anything that says "under review" for more than 10 business days, that's when I'd start getting worried. Also, since you mentioned having multiple versions of the medical form - when in doubt, upload the most recent/comprehensive one. I made the mistake of uploading an incomplete form and had to restart my whole claim process. Better to over-document than under-document with ESD. You've got this! The waiting is the worst part, but most claims do get approved eventually if you stay on top of it.

I'm going through a similar situation right now with my PFML claim! Just wanted to add that if you're really concerned about the medical form, you can also contact your doctor's office directly and ask them which version is the current one that ESD requires. Sometimes medical offices have outdated forms on file, so it's worth double-checking with them. Also, I found that setting up text notifications in addition to email notifications in my PFML portal helped me catch updates faster. The text alerts seem to come through more reliably than emails for some reason. You can change your notification preferences in your account settings. Hope everything works out for you - the stress of waiting when you need that income is really tough! Keep us posted on how it goes.

Good luck with your claim! Don't hesitate to reach out for help if you run into any issues during the process.

Just wanted to share my recent experience filing for unemployment in Washington. I was laid off from my tech job in December and was nervous about the whole process, but it actually went smoother than expected. My highest quarter was around $28k so I'm getting about $1,078 per week - which is actually above the $999 maximum mentioned here. I think the max might have been updated for 2025? Either way, the online application took about 30 minutes and I got my first payment within 2 weeks. The key thing that helped me was having all my employer information ready before starting the application. Would definitely recommend not waiting to file like others have said!

Just to follow up on your question about requesting a hardship reduction in the recovery rate - you need to call the ESD Collections unit specifically at 1-866-697-4831. Be prepared to provide documentation of your financial hardship (bills, bank statements, etc.). Regarding your PFML application, make sure you apply well before your due date, as processing can take 2-3 weeks. You can apply up to 4 weeks before your expected leave start date. The weekly benefit amount is calculated differently than UI - it's based on a percentage of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum. Best of luck with both your appeal and your baby!

I'm sorry to hear you're dealing with this stress during your pregnancy. I went through a similar situation when I was on maternity leave in 2023. The good news is that ESD overpayment collections from regular unemployment benefits don't automatically carry over to PFML payments - they really are separate systems with different processing. However, I'd strongly recommend being proactive about a few things: First, definitely pursue that hardship reduction on your current collection rate. With a baby coming, you should qualify for the lower 10-15% rate instead of 50%. Second, keep detailed records of everything related to your appeal - dates, case numbers, any correspondence. One thing that helped me was submitting my hardship reduction request in writing along with calling. You can fax documentation to ESD at 360-902-9509 or mail it to: Employment Security Department, PO Box 9046, Olympia, WA 98507-9046. Include bank statements showing your expenses and a letter explaining your pregnancy and upcoming financial needs. Also, don't let the appeal process discourage you. Even if it takes months, if you win your appeal, they'll have to refund everything they collected. Stay strong - you've got this!