awesome! glad its working out. yeah the first payment is always the most stressful cuz you dont know what to expect and ESD doesnt exactly make it clear how long things take lol

Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - if you're ever unsure about your payment status, the "Payment History" section in eServices is really helpful. It shows exactly which weeks are paid, processing, or pending. Also, if you do end up needing to call ESD, try calling right when they open at 8 AM - you'll have a much better chance of getting through than calling later in the day when the lines are swamped.

Bottom line for OP - at $18/hour full time you're probably looking at $400-500 per week before taxes. File your claim and you'll get the exact amount in your determination letter within 1-2 weeks.

I went through this same situation last year when I was making about $18.50/hour. My weekly benefit ended up being $436 per week. The key thing to remember is they look at your highest earning quarter in your base period, not just your most recent wages. So if you had a quarter where you worked overtime or got a raise, that could bump up your weekly amount. Also make sure you apply online through the Washington ESD website - it's way faster than trying to call them. The whole process took about 2 weeks from filing to getting my first payment.

Final update: Got connected to Washington ESD through Claimyr and they confirmed I can file a late appeal. Agent said my harassment situation could qualify as constructive discharge if I can document it properly. Working on gathering evidence now. Thanks everyone for pushing me to get real answers instead of just guessing!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation - got denied for unemployment about 2 months ago and have been stuck not knowing what to do next. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key is actually getting through to talk to someone at Washington ESD to understand your specific options rather than just guessing. The Claimyr service that several people mentioned sounds like it might be worth trying since the regular phone lines are impossible. Really appreciate everyone sharing their real experiences - way more useful than the confusing official guidance!

I feel for everyone dealing with this nightmare! I'm currently on week 6 of adjudication hell myself. Filed in mid-January after being laid off from my restaurant job when they closed for renovations. Like many of you, I've tried calling dozens of times with no luck, sent secure messages into the void, and watched my savings disappear while ESD sits on my claim. What's really frustrating is that my case should be straightforward - documented layoff, no disputes, clean work history. But here I am, same as all of you, just waiting and waiting with no end in sight. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and solutions. I'm going to try the Claimyr service first thing tomorrow, and if that doesn't work, I'll reach out to my state representative. It's honestly shameful that people are forced to go to these lengths just to get basic unemployment benefits they're entitled to. The system is clearly broken when 5+ week delays are considered "normal." Hang in there everyone - hopefully we'll all get through this soon!

I'm in a very similar boat - filed my claim on January 20th after being laid off from my marketing job, and I'm now going on week 5 of adjudication with absolutely no updates. Like many of you, I've tried calling ESD countless times only to get disconnected or face impossible wait times. The secure messaging system has been completely useless - I've sent 4 messages with zero responses. What's particularly frustrating is that my separation was completely straightforward - company-wide layoffs due to budget cuts, fully documented by HR. Yet here I am, watching my emergency fund drain while ESD sits on what should be a simple approval. After reading through all these responses, I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service tomorrow morning. @Aaliyah Jackson, thanks for sharing your success story - it gives me hope that there might actually be a way to reach a real person! I'm also going to look into contacting my state representative's office as @Giovanni Rossi suggested. It's absolutely shameful that so many of us are going through the exact same nightmare. The system is clearly overwhelmed and broken when 5+ week delays have become "normal." We shouldn't have to jump through all these hoops just to access benefits we've paid into and are legally entitled to receive. I'll update this thread once I try these solutions - hopefully with good news for everyone still stuck in this adjudication purgatory!

One last thing - make sure you have all your employment information handy when you file (dates of employment, employer address, supervisor names, etc.). Makes the process much smoother if you have everything ready.

Don't get discouraged if the process takes longer than expected! I was fired for attendance issues similar to yours and it took about 6 weeks total to get my first payment, but I did get approved. The adjudication interview was actually pretty straightforward - they just wanted to understand the specific circumstances of each absence. Having any kind of documentation (even text messages to your supervisor about being sick) can really help your case. The most important thing is to stay on top of your weekly filings and respond promptly to any requests for information from Washington ESD.