I went through a similar situation last year and wanted to share what worked for me. I had exactly 2 weeks between getting my offer and start date, just like you! Here's what I did: I submitted my standby request immediately and then called ESD every single day starting day 3. I know it's frustrating, but persistence pays off. Try calling right when they open at 8 AM - that's when I had the most success getting through. When I finally reached an agent on day 5, they expedited my request and I got approval 2 days later. The key things that helped: - Had my offer letter ready with clear start date - Emphasized the urgent timeline when I spoke to the agent - Kept doing job searches until I saw "APPROVED" in my account - Filed my weekly claims normally and answered YES to having a return-to-work date You've got this! The timing should work out if you stay on top of it. And honestly, even if the approval comes through after you start work, at least you'll have those final benefit payments coming your way.

Just wanted to add another data point - I went through standby approval in December 2024 and it took exactly 8 business days. I submitted on a Monday and got approved the following Tuesday. One thing I learned that might help: when you submit your standby request, make sure to select "Return to Work - Definite Date" as your reason (not just "Return to Work"). The agent I spoke with mentioned this helps flag it properly in their system. Also, don't panic if you don't hear anything for the first week - that seems to be pretty normal based on what I've seen. Just keep doing your job search activities and filing your weekly claims. The system will backdate everything once your standby gets approved. Good luck with your new job! Retail management can be really rewarding if you enjoy working with people and problem-solving.

good luck op, hope your claim processes quickly. the waiting game is rough but most people do eventually get their benefits

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim about 10 days ago and getting anxious about the timeline too. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like 2-4 weeks is pretty typical if everything goes smoothly. The variation seems to depend a lot on whether your claim gets flagged for adjudication or not. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that both of our claims process without complications! In the meantime, I'm making sure to file my weekly claims on time and checking my account daily for any document requests.

Bottom line: they have serious collection powers and won't forget about the debt. But if you communicate with them, they'll usually work with you. The worst thing you can do is ignore it and hope it goes away.

Paolo, I went through something similar last year. Washington ESD is serious about collections - they can garnish wages (usually 25%), intercept tax refunds, and even put liens on property. The interest compounds at 1% per month plus penalties, so a $2,800 debt can quickly become much larger. However, they do offer payment plans and sometimes hardship deferrals if you can prove financial distress. The key is to contact them before they start collection actions. I'd strongly recommend trying that Claimyr service others mentioned - it really does work for getting through their phone system. Don't ignore this hoping it will go away - it won't, and your options will only get worse with time.

dont forget to print out the layoff letter from ur employer my friend didnt do that and ESD kept bugging him for proof he was actually laid off

I just went through this exact transition last month! Here's what worked for me: I filed my weekly claim as usual but reported zero hours and selected "laid off" when asked about my work status. The system automatically flagged my claim for review, but I didn't wait - I called ESD the same day using the callback feature on their website (early morning works best, around 8 AM). The agent confirmed my WorkShare claim would convert to regular UI and updated my job search requirements in the system. My weekly benefit amount did increase from $285 on WorkShare to $420 on regular UI since I was now getting my full benefit instead of partial. The whole process took about 10 days total, and I didn't miss any payments. Also make sure to update your job search log immediately - you'll need those 3 weekly activities documented right away!

Final thought for anyone reading this thread - don't let the complexity of the system overwhelm you into inaction. Whether it's using Claimyr to get clear answers from Washington ESD, applying for other assistance programs, or checking into training opportunities, taking some action is better than just hoping things work out. The system is confusing but there are people and resources that can help you navigate it.

One more resource that helped me - the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has a benefits calculator on their website where you can see what assistance programs you might qualify for based on your income and family size. It's called the Washington Connection and it pre-screens you for multiple programs at once instead of having to apply to each one separately. Really saved me time when my UI ran out last year.