Keep your chin up. Performance issues happen to good people all the time, especially when employers set unrealistic expectations. The unemployment system recognizes this difference.

I went through something very similar at my previous job in food service. They were constantly critiquing my speed and efficiency, saying I wasn't keeping up with their standards. When they finally let me go, I was terrified I wouldn't get unemployment benefits. But Washington ESD approved my claim without any issues because I could show I was following all their procedures and trying my best to improve. The key thing that helped me was keeping records of all the training sessions I attended and the feedback meetings where I was asking questions about how to do better. Even though I wasn't great at the job, I was clearly making good faith efforts to meet their expectations, which is what matters for unemployment eligibility. Don't let them pressure you into quitting - make them fire you if that's what they're planning to do.

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I think I understand now - report gross 1099 income for the week I do the work, keep detailed records, and don't try to deduct expenses when reporting to Washington ESD. Still might try to reach an agent to double-check my specific situation.

Just wanted to add that I've been in a similar situation with 1099 work while on unemployment. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to track everything - date of work, hours worked, gross pay, and which week I reported it on my claim. Washington ESD can ask for documentation during audits, so having everything organized from the start saves a lot of stress later. Also, don't forget that you still need to be available for full-time work even if you're doing some 1099 gigs - that's part of the eligibility requirements they can ask about.

Update us when you hear back! These threads help other people going through the same thing. Good luck with your claim!

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim about 8 days ago and constantly refreshing my SecureAccess account hoping for an update! Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful. It sounds like 10 days is still within the normal timeframe, so I'm trying to be patient. The hardest part is not knowing if there are any issues with my application or if it's just taking the standard processing time. I've been keeping busy with job applications like someone mentioned, which does help with the anxiety a bit. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's reassuring to know we're all going through this together!

Thanks everyone for all the detailed explanations! This is way more complex than I initially thought but at least now I understand my role (which is basically just working and keeping records) versus my employer's responsibilities.

I work in HR and deal with this stuff regularly. Just wanted to emphasize that employees should definitely keep their pay stubs and W-2s safe - not just for unemployment purposes, but you might need them if there are ever discrepancies in your wage records with ESD. We had an employee once whose wages weren't showing up correctly in the system due to a clerical error on our end, and having those documents made resolving it much faster. Also, if you ever change jobs frequently, make sure each employer has your correct Social Security number because that's how all your wage records get linked together in the system.

One more thing - make sure you're meeting the job search requirements while waiting! You need to document at least 3 job search activities each week. Keep detailed records of everything - position, company, application method, contact info, etc. ESD can audit your job search logs even months later, and if they find you weren't meeting requirements, you could be asked to repay benefits.

I'm in a similar situation - filed 2.5 weeks ago and still showing "processing" status. What's really frustrating is the lack of communication from ESD. A simple automated update like "your claim is being reviewed, estimated completion in X days" would help so much with the anxiety. I've been diligent about filing weekly claims and checking messages, but the uncertainty is the worst part. Has anyone found that contacting their state representative's office helps speed things up? I've heard mixed results but wondering if it's worth trying at this point.