has anyone tried using those unemployment lawyers? wondering if its worth the cost for a good cause case

Bottom line - if you have legitimate safety concerns or harassment issues, don't suffer in silence just because you're worried about unemployment eligibility. Document everything, try to resolve it through proper channels first, then file your claim with confidence. Washington ESD will do a fair investigation if you provide good evidence.

I went through this process about 6 months ago for my coffee shop. One thing that really helped was calling early in the morning (like right at 8am when they open) - much shorter wait times. Also, don't stress too much about getting everything perfect on the first try. You can always update your information later if needed. The hardest part is just getting started!

Just wanted to share my experience registering last month - the online registration actually worked pretty smoothly once I found the right page. I gathered all my documents first (EIN, business license, NAICS code) and it took about 20 minutes to complete. The trickiest part was figuring out my estimated quarterly payroll since I haven't hired anyone yet, but I just put a conservative estimate based on my business plan. Got my account number via email within 3 business days. Way easier than I expected after reading all the horror stories about their website!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! The waiting week rules can definitely be confusing at first, but here's what I learned from my experience: You're on the right track thinking about both the part-time work and holiday pay. The rule is that you can work during your waiting week as long as you: 1. Work less than 40 hours total 2. Your combined earnings (part-time wages + holiday pay) are less than your weekly benefit amount + $5 So you'll need to wait until ESD processes your claim and tells you what your weekly benefit amount is, then you can calculate whether your total income for that week will be under the threshold. When I filed my waiting week claim, I worked 20 hours at a temporary job ($300) and received a final paycheck with holiday pay ($150). My weekly benefit amount ended up being $485, so my total earnings of $450 were well under the $490 limit ($485 + $5). The key is being completely honest when you file your weekly claim. Report your part-time hours and wages in the regular work section, and put the holiday pay in the "other income" section. ESD's system will do the math and determine if your waiting week qualifies. Don't stress too much about the exact numbers until you know your benefit amount - just keep good records of everything you earn that week!

I just went through this exact situation a couple months ago! The confusion is totally understandable - the ESD materials aren't the clearest on this topic. Here's what worked for me: The good news is there's no strict hour limit under 40 hours - it's really about your total earnings for that week. You can work your part-time gig as long as your combined income (part-time wages + holiday pay) stays under your weekly benefit amount + $5. Since you just filed yesterday, you'll need to wait for ESD to calculate and send you your weekly benefit amount before you can know for sure if you're under the threshold. In the meantime, I'd suggest keeping detailed records of exactly how many hours you work and how much you earn, plus documentation of that holiday pay amount. When you file your first weekly claim, make sure to report the part-time work in the regular wages section and the holiday pay in the "other income" section. Be completely accurate - ESD's system will calculate everything and determine if your waiting week qualifies. One tip: if you're cutting it close to the earnings threshold, consider working slightly fewer hours that first week just to be safe. It's better to be conservative and ensure your waiting week gets approved rather than risk having to serve another one later. Good luck with your job search!

btw anyone know if OP will get paid the WA benefit amount or the Colorado amount? cuz WA benefits are wayyy better than most states! thats the one good thing about filing with WA!

Just wanted to add something that might help others in similar situations - if you're filing an interstate claim, make sure to keep detailed records of EVERYTHING. Save screenshots of your application, confirmation numbers, any correspondence, etc. Interstate claims can sometimes get stuck in the system between states and having documentation makes it way easier to resolve issues if they come up. Also, don't panic if your first payment takes longer than usual - interstate claims often have a longer processing time than regular in-state claims. Good luck with your claim processing!

I went through this exact same stress about 2 months ago! Filed my first PFMLA weekly claim on a Thursday and was literally counting down the days until rent was due. The good news is that "payment in process" status you mentioned is actually really encouraging - it means they've completed all their verification checks and your payment is just working its way through the banking system now. Mine hit my account the following Tuesday morning, so 5 calendar days total. I know everyone keeps saying 3-5 business days, but from what I've seen with Thursday filers specifically, Tuesday or Wednesday is pretty typical. I'd still give your sister a heads up just to have a backup plan, but honestly based on your current status and filing day, I think you'll probably see that deposit before rent is due. The first payment anxiety is absolutely brutal - I was refreshing my bank app every hour! But once you get through this first one, the timing becomes much more predictable. Hang in there!

I totally understand the anxiety you're going through! I went through this exact same situation about 4 months ago - filed my first PFMLA weekly claim on a Thursday and was stressed about making rent. The fact that you already see "payment in process" is actually really great news because it means ESD has finished all their internal processing and verification. My payment hit my account the following Tuesday, which seems to be pretty typical for Thursday filers based on what everyone's sharing here. I'd definitely still touch base with your sister tonight just to have a backup plan, but honestly I think there's a really good chance you'll see that deposit by Tuesday or Wednesday. The first payment is always the most nerve-wracking because you don't know what to expect, but after that it becomes much more routine. Try not to drive yourself crazy checking your bank account every few minutes (though I totally did the same thing!). You're in good shape with that "payment in process" status - hang in there!