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Bottom line - with $900/week earnings you should get close to maximum benefits. File immediately after your last day, keep detailed job search records, and don't stress too much about the process. Washington's system works pretty well once you understand it.
I went through something similar last year when my company downsized. With your $900/week income, you should definitely qualify for close to the maximum weekly benefit. One tip that really helped me - start gathering all your employment documentation now (pay stubs, tax forms, employer contact info) so you're ready to file immediately if the layoff happens. Also, I'd recommend checking your wage history on the ESD website periodically to make sure everything looks accurate. The whole process was less stressful than I expected once I had all my paperwork organized. Hope it works out and you don't actually need to file, but at least you'll be prepared!
For anyone else encountering this issue, I recommend documenting everything when you call. Get the agent's ID number or name, ask for a reference number for the call, and request they send you an email confirmation of any changes they make. ESD can be disorganized, and having documentation has saved me multiple times when issues weren't properly resolved the first time. Also, if calling doesn't work, remember you can submit a secure message through your eServices account. It takes longer to get a response, but creates a paper trail and sometimes works when the phone lines are impossible.
That's great advice, thank you! I did get the agent's name and a confirmation number. They also told me that sometimes these flags happen during quarterly reviews when they're double-checking everyone's eligibility. Apparently it's fairly common but doesn't always show up properly in the claimant's portal. Just sharing in case it helps someone else!
I'm glad you got this resolved, Jamal! Your experience really highlights how frustrating these system glitches can be. I'm dealing with a similar issue right now - been getting benefits for 5 weeks and suddenly got disqualified yesterday with no explanation in my pending issues. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like calling is really the only way to get answers. I'm dreading the phone marathon, but it's reassuring to know that most people are getting their issues fixed once they actually talk to someone. Thanks for sharing the update about the quarterly review flag - that's probably exactly what happened to me too since I'm right around that timeframe.
Chase is actually pretty good with ESD deposits, I usually see mine the very next day after it switches to paid. You should definitely get it before your rent is due Monday unless something unusual happens.
That's awesome news that your payment came through! For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation - I went through the exact same thing last year. The key thing to remember is that when ESD changes your status to "paid," they've already processed the payment on their end. The timing after that really does depend on your bank. I have Wells Fargo and it typically takes 1-2 business days. One tip I learned: you can actually call your bank's customer service line and ask if there are any pending ACH deposits from Washington State ESD - sometimes they can see it in the system before it posts to your account. Saved me a lot of anxiety during my waiting period!
Good luck! The waiting is definitely the worst part of this whole process. Once you actually talk to someone it usually gets resolved pretty quickly.
Hang in there! I know it's stressful but you'll get through this. The adjudication process sucks but most people do get approved eventually if they qualified for benefits in the first place.
Definitely! The vast majority of adjudications get resolved in the claimant's favor once they actually get to explain their situation.
This whole thread has been so helpful! I'm in a similar situation waiting for my adjudication call and was getting really anxious about missing it. Now I know to answer every unknown call during business hours and check my SecureAccess account regularly. The uncertainty is definitely the hardest part - not knowing when they'll call or what number it'll come from.
Tristan Carpenter
Bottom line is Washington ESD has a lot of rules and they're not always clear about them upfront. The best advice is to be completely honest on your application and weekly claims, keep detailed records of everything, and don't hesitate to ask questions if you're unsure about something. Getting disqualified is way worse than getting clarification beforehand.
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Miles Hammonds
•This has been really helpful. I feel like I have a much better understanding of what to watch out for. Thanks everyone!
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Brooklyn Knight
•And remember, if you do run into issues and need to talk to someone at Washington ESD, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really does work. Sometimes having an actual conversation with an agent can clear up confusion before it becomes a bigger problem.
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CaptainAwesome
One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is the base year earnings requirement. You need to have earned at least $1,000 in your base year to even qualify for benefits in the first place. Also, if you're collecting Social Security Disability, that can affect your eligibility since you're essentially saying you can't work. Washington ESD considers this when determining if you're "able and available" for employment. The appeals process is also worth understanding - you have 30 days to appeal any disqualification decision, and having documentation ready can make a huge difference in your hearing.
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CosmicCadet
•Thanks for bringing up the base year earnings requirement - that's definitely something people overlook! I didn't realize about the Social Security Disability conflict either. That seems like a catch-22 situation where you're stuck between two government programs with conflicting requirements. Do you know if there are any exceptions or workarounds for people in that situation?
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Isabella Russo
•There are some limited exceptions for people on Social Security Disability. If you're receiving SSDI but can still work part-time (under their substantial gainful activity limits), you might be able to argue that you're available for suitable work within your restrictions. However, it's a very narrow path and requires detailed medical documentation showing exactly what type of work you can perform. Most people in this situation end up having to choose between the two programs. It's definitely worth consulting with a disability attorney if you're caught in this situation, as they know the specific criteria both agencies use.
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