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Good luck with your application! Hope you get the support you need while dealing with your health issues. The process can be stressful but it's worth pursuing if you think you might qualify.
I went through a similar situation with a chronic health condition last year. The most important thing I learned is that Washington ESD looks at your work capacity, not just your diagnosis. I was initially worried I wouldn't qualify, but I was able to get benefits by being very specific about what types of work I could still perform with my limitations. The key is having detailed documentation from your healthcare provider about your functional abilities - not just what's wrong with you, but what you can and can't do in a work environment. I also had to adjust my job search to focus on positions that accommodated my health needs, but I was still actively seeking work. It's definitely worth applying and being completely honest about your situation rather than assuming you won't qualify.
One last thing - once you get your card, you can set up text alerts for when payments are deposited. It's really helpful for tracking your benefits and making sure everything is processing correctly.
I went through this exact same situation about 3 months ago! My card was supposedly mailed but never arrived. I called KeyBank at 1-866-295-2955 and they were able to see that the card was indeed mailed but never activated, which usually means it got lost in transit. They sent me a replacement with expedited shipping at no charge and I had it within 4 business days. Make sure you have your SSN, DOB, and claim number ready when you call. Also, I found calling right when they open at 7am PST gets you through much faster than calling during peak hours. Don't worry - all your back payments will be available as soon as you activate the new card!
This is super helpful, thank you! I was getting really worried that I'd lose all those payments while waiting. Having the exact number and knowing what info to have ready makes me feel much more confident about calling tomorrow morning. I'll definitely try calling right at 7am like you suggested.
This gives me so much hope! I've been stressed about this for weeks thinking I might have lost my benefits somehow. Knowing that all the back payments will be there once I get the card is a huge relief. I'm definitely calling KeyBank at 7am sharp tomorrow with all my info ready. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's exactly what I needed to hear!
Bottom line: $999/week is the max in Washington for 2025, but most people won't qualify for that amount. Your actual benefit depends on your earnings history, specifically your highest quarter in the base period.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also check if you qualify for any federal extensions or additional programs. During certain economic conditions, there might be extended benefits beyond the standard 26 weeks. Also, if you're a veteran or have other special circumstances, there could be additional resources available through WorkSource offices that might supplement your unemployment benefits.
You typically have to apply separately for most supplemental programs through WorkSource, though they should automatically notify you if extended benefits become available during your claim period. For veterans, there are specific programs like DVOP (Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program) that can provide additional job placement services and sometimes training allowances. I'd recommend visiting your local WorkSource office or checking their website - they have counselors who can walk you through what you might qualify for based on your specific situation.
This is really valuable information! I had no idea there were supplemental programs through WorkSource. For someone like me who might be filing soon, would you recommend visiting a WorkSource office before filing for unemployment, or is it better to get the basic claim started first and then explore additional resources? I want to make sure I don't miss out on any programs I might qualify for.
One thing no one's mentioned - have you tried adjusting your search radius on WorkSource? Sometimes the default is set really low like 10 miles. If you bump it up to maybe 30 (still reasonable commute) you might find more options. Also check if your resume has all the right keywords for your field - WorkSource uses those to match you with jobs.
I think my radius is set to 25 miles, but even that is pushing it since I don't have reliable transportation. But you're right about the keywords - I haven't optimized my resume specifically for WorkSource's matching system. I'll update that tonight and see if it helps match me with more relevant positions. Thanks for the tip!
I just went through my WorkSource follow-up last week and had almost the exact same situation! My action plan only required creating the account and uploading my resume (which I did), but I'd only applied to maybe 3 jobs through WorkSource because most were either way out of my field or had crazy commute times. My case manager was totally understanding when I explained the situation. I brought a printed log of all my weekly job search activities from Indeed, LinkedIn, and company websites, and she said that was perfect. She even helped me set up better search filters on WorkSource and suggested some networking events in my area that count toward job search activities. The key thing she emphasized was that the 3 weekly job search activities can come from anywhere - WorkSource is just one tool, not the only requirement. As long as you completed what was specifically written in your action plan and you're documenting your ongoing job search efforts, you should be fine. Don't stress too much about it!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It sounds like your case manager handled it very similarly to what others have described - focusing on the actual requirements rather than making assumptions about WorkSource usage. I'm definitely going to print out my weekly job search logs like you did and bring specific examples of the limited WorkSource options in my area. The networking events suggestion is great too - I hadn't thought about those counting toward activities. Feeling much more confident about my appointment now!
Justin Trejo
Does anyone know if the phone lines are open during lunch time? I can only call during my lunch break at work.
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Landon Morgan
•Yes, they're open 8 AM to 4 PM straight through. No lunch break closure.
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Justin Trejo
•Perfect, thanks! I'll try calling during my lunch today.
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Alana Willis
Final update: Got my adjudication resolved! Turns out there was just a missing piece of paperwork from my previous employer. Thanks everyone for the timing tips and especially whoever mentioned Claimyr - that really saved me.
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Alana Willis
•They said 3-5 business days for the adjudication to clear, and it actually happened in 3 days.
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Ali Anderson
•That's so encouraging to hear! I've been stuck in adjudication for almost 3 weeks now and was starting to lose hope. Definitely going to try Claimyr based on all the success stories in this thread. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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