I'm dealing with something similar right now! My claim has been showing "disqualified" for 3 weeks but I got an approval letter for my separation issue. Turns out I also had an identity verification requirement that I completely missed because it was buried in the online messages. One thing that helped me was setting up text notifications through eServices - you can get alerts when new messages are posted to your account. It's under the "Contact Preferences" section. That way you won't miss any document requests or updates like I almost did. Also, when you upload your identity documents, make sure the images are super clear and all four corners of each document are visible. I had to resubmit mine because my first photos were too blurry. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what the status says online! The system really is that confusing but everyone here is right - you'll get back pay for all the weeks you filed once everything gets sorted out.

I just went through this exact same thing 2 months ago! My online status showed "disqualified" for almost 6 weeks even though I had gotten approval letters for some issues. It turns out ESD's system is just really bad at showing partial approvals - it defaults to the most restrictive status until EVERYTHING is cleared. Here's what I learned: 1) Keep filing weekly no matter what the online status says, 2) Check your online messages religiously because they often put time-sensitive requests there, 3) Save/screenshot every single document and letter you get, and 4) Be patient because each issue gets resolved separately. The identity verification you found is probably the main thing holding up your payments now. Once that's processed (usually 1-2 weeks), your status should flip to approved and you'll get all your back pay. The system really is this confusing for everyone - you're not alone in feeling frustrated by the mixed messages!

hey did u ever get this resolved?? im in the same boat now & freaking out!!

Glad to hear you got it sorted out! For anyone else dealing with this - the key is really just being proactive and responsive. I went through something similar a few months ago and the anxiety was terrible, but once I understood what they actually needed it was much simpler than I thought. The ESD staff are generally helpful once you can reach them, they just have to follow their verification procedures. Don't panic if you get one of these requests - just gather your documents and respond quickly!

UPDATE: My claim just switched from pending to paid this morning! Only took 3 days in the end. Thanks everyone for the advice and helping me not panic (too much). For anyone else who has this happen - the one-day job I reported definitely seems to have triggered the review, but it resolved itself without me having to call.

So glad to hear it worked out! This is exactly why I always tell people to report their earnings honestly even if it triggers a review - it's better to be transparent and deal with a few days of pending status than to risk getting flagged for unreported income later. Your experience is really helpful for others who might be in the same situation. The system may be frustrating but at least it's somewhat predictable once you understand how it works.

FWIW the official Washington ESD statistics page gets updated around the 15th of each month with the previous month's data. So right now you're looking at November 2024 numbers. December data should be out soon and will probably show the seasonal uptick from holiday layoffs.

I've been following Washington ESD data for a while and can confirm the current numbers are around 87,000-90,000 people receiving regular UI benefits. However, what's frustrating is that this doesn't include the thousands stuck in adjudication like yourself. From what I've observed, construction layoffs in winter often trigger additional review requirements, which explains your 5-week delay. The system treats seasonal layoffs differently than permanent job losses, requiring verification that it's truly temporary. Your wait time is longer than average but not unheard of for seasonal claims. Have you received any correspondence explaining what specific issue is under review?

To directly answer your original questions: 1. Yes, Washington does deduct pensions from unemployment benefits when the pension is from a base year employer 2. No, they don't deduct pensions if they're from a completely different employer outside your base year 3. No, it's not just the week you receive the payment - they prorate it across all weeks When you report your pension, ESD will ask for documentation showing the monthly amount and may ask for information about contribution percentages. They'll calculate the reduction and apply it automatically to future payments. One more thing - if your pension amount changes at any point, you need to report that change to ESD right away.

I went through something similar when I got laid off from my state job in 2022. One thing that might help reduce the financial impact - if you haven't already, check if your pension allows for any temporary suspension or deferment options while you're unemployed. Some pension plans (especially government ones) have provisions that let you delay payments for a few months if you're actively job searching. It won't eliminate the deduction issue entirely, but it could give you some breathing room while you find new employment. Also, make sure when you do report the pension to ESD that you emphasize the employee contribution percentage - that 35% you mentioned could save you about $150 per week in deductions. Good luck with the job search!