Regarding your question about the pension - yes, definitely address both issues in your appeal hearing. Start by acknowledging the pension and explaining that you disclosed it from the beginning and understood it would reduce (not eliminate) your benefits. Then move on to the documentation issue as the main reason for the improper denial. Also, check if the denial letter specifies exactly which documents they claim are missing. Sometimes they'll list specific items, which helps you focus your appeal on those particular documents.

I'm going through something very similar right now! ESD denied my claim twice saying they never received my bank statements, even though I have confirmation emails showing successful uploads. What's really helped me is keeping a detailed log of every interaction - dates, times, representative names, and exactly what they told me. One thing that might help while you're waiting for your appeal: contact your local WorkSource office. They have staff who specialize in ESD issues and can sometimes escalate cases directly. The one near me actually called ESD on my behalf and got through to someone with more authority than the regular phone agents. Also, if you haven't already, try uploading your documents in PDF format instead of images. I read somewhere that their system processes PDFs more reliably. Worth a shot while you're preparing for the hearing! Hang in there - you're not alone in this mess. The system is definitely broken but people do eventually get through it.

this thread should be pinned, super useful info about payment timing that everyone needs to know

Just wanted to add my experience - I'm a newcomer to Washington unemployment and was also confused about payment timing at first. I've been filing every Sunday morning and consistently getting paid on Tuesday (I have Bank of America). The key thing I learned is to file as early as possible on Sunday and make sure all your work search activities are logged properly. Also, the ESD website payment calendar that Marcus mentioned is really helpful for planning - it shows you exactly which Tuesday or Wednesday your payment will come based on your filing week. Hope this helps other newcomers!

Bottom line - take the severance, file for unemployment, be honest about both. Washington state is generally pretty reasonable about this stuff compared to some other states. You're dealing with a layoff situation which is exactly what unemployment benefits are designed for.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when my company did layoffs. I was so worried about messing something up, but it turned out to be much more straightforward than I expected. I received a $12,000 severance package and was still able to collect full unemployment benefits from Washington ESD. The key thing that helped me was calling them directly (eventually got through after many attempts) and just being completely upfront about the severance during my initial interview. The representative told me that as long as it's a true severance payment and not wages for a specific notice period, it doesn't affect eligibility. I'd recommend documenting everything about your severance agreement and being prepared to explain the details when you file. Washington ESD seems to handle these situations pretty routinely - you're definitely not the first person to be in this spot!

Just wanted to add that if you're feeling overwhelmed about organizing your job search documentation, you can also use the WorkSource website to log your activities retroactively. They have a job search tracking tool that lets you enter past activities as long as you have the basic info (date, company, position). I did this before my appointment and it made everything much smoother. The counselor was impressed that I had everything organized in their system already. Also, don't forget that attending job fairs, networking events, or even informational interviews count as valid job search activities too - not just applications!

I just had my WorkSource appointment last week and wanted to share my experience to hopefully ease some anxiety! The staff member I met with was genuinely focused on helping me succeed in my job search. They reviewed my job search log (which wasn't perfect either), gave me feedback on my resume, and even practiced interview questions with me. The whole thing took about 45 minutes and felt more like career coaching than an interrogation. They also signed me up for a free workshop on LinkedIn optimization. Most importantly - my benefits continued without any issues! As long as you're making a genuine effort to find work and show up prepared, you'll be fine. Bring whatever documentation you have, be honest about your efforts, and try to view it as getting free career support rather than something to fear.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who's been on Washington unemployment for about 6 months now - the Tuesday morning deposits are super consistent once you get into the system! I usually see mine hit around 3:30 AM. One tip that saved me money: if you need cash from your Way2Go card, you can get cash back at most grocery stores when you buy something (even just a pack of gum) with no fees, instead of paying those $2.50 ATM charges. Also, keep screenshots of your weekly claim confirmations just in case - I had one week where the system glitched and I needed proof that I filed on time. The whole process is stressful at first but becomes much more manageable once you get that first payment and establish the routine!

I'm in a similar boat - just got approved yesterday and I'm anxiously waiting for that first payment! Reading everyone's experiences here is really reassuring. It sounds like Tuesday mornings are pretty consistent once you're in the system, but that first payment can take a bit longer. I'm definitely going to download the Way2Go app like someone suggested and start taking screenshots of my weekly claims. The cash back tip for avoiding ATM fees is genius - I never would have thought of that! Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences, it makes this whole process feel less scary when you know what to expect.