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Just want to add that if you ever need to speak with Washington ESD about payment delays, that Claimyr service mentioned earlier actually works. I was skeptical but tried it when my payments stopped for three weeks. Got connected to an agent who explained exactly what documentation they needed. Payments resumed the next week after I sent the paperwork.
Thanks everyone for all the detailed responses! This has been super helpful. Based on what I'm seeing here, it sounds like 2-3 business days is the norm, but my Chase bank might be on the slower side compared to credit unions like BECU. I'll definitely check my online account more regularly after certifying to catch any issues early. It's reassuring to know the timing variation I've experienced is pretty normal. I'll plan my bills around a Wednesday deposit just to be safe, and if it comes Tuesday that's a bonus!
I just went through this last month and finally got my benefits after 5 weeks of waiting! What worked for me was calling the technical support line instead of the claims line. They transferred me to a claims specialist after I explained my situation had been pending for over a month. Worth a try!
Just wanted to follow up and see if you managed to get through to ESD with any of these suggestions? Did the adjudication issue get resolved?
Good news! I tried the Claimyr service mentioned above, and it actually worked! Got connected to an agent yesterday who told me my claim was flagged because my employer reported different separation details than I did. The agent helped me provide the additional documentation they needed and said my benefits should resume within 3-5 business days. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
That's awesome Jessica! So glad you got it sorted out. It's frustrating that it comes down to using third-party services to get through, but whatever works, right? Hopefully your benefits get released quickly now. Thanks for updating us - gives me hope that there are actual solutions out there when the regular system fails us.
Update: I managed to reach ESD today (used Claimyr after seeing it recommended here - actually worked!). The agent explained that I needed to look specifically under the Training Benefits section in eServices, not the regular UI section. Also found out SEAP participants get connected with Small Business Development Centers for free consulting, which sounds amazing. Going to submit my application this weekend. Will update when I hear back!
Great progress! The Small Business Development Center resources are incredibly valuable - make sure to take full advantage of them if you're approved. Their advisors can help refine your business plan, which increases your chances of SEAP approval and long-term business success. Wishing you the best with your application!
Just wanted to add my experience - I was approved for SEAP in 2024 for my consulting business. One thing that really helped my application was including letters of intent from potential clients showing there was actual demand for my services. Also, don't underestimate the entrepreneurial training component - it's not just a formality. The coursework actually covers crucial stuff like tax obligations for self-employed individuals, which is super important since you'll be transitioning off UI benefits eventually. The training providers vary by region, but most offer both online and in-person options. Good luck with your application!
One last important thing to note: If your business progresses to the point where you're getting customers/clients, even if you're not paying yourself yet, you need to report any gross income received by the business on your weekly claims. ESD looks at gross business income, not net profit after expenses. Also, if you've registered your business officially (LLC, sole proprietorship, etc.), make sure you understand how that impacts your "able and available" status. Some business structures could potentially affect your eligibility more than others. Best of luck balancing your job search and entrepreneurial journey!
Thanks for this additional info - I'll definitely report any income immediately if/when it starts coming in. I'm planning to start as a sole proprietor to keep things simple while I see if the business is viable. Hopefully I'll find a good job soon, but it's nice to know I can work on my business idea in the meantime without automatically losing benefits.
Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who's been through this recently. I was in a similar situation last year - got laid off from a marketing role and wanted to work on my app idea while job searching. What I learned is that ESD really focuses on your "primary activity." If your primary focus is job searching and you can genuinely say you'd drop everything for a good job opportunity, then working on your business in your spare time is usually okay. But if the business becomes your main focus, that's when you run into trouble. I kept a simple rule: no business activities during normal business hours (9-5) unless I had already completed my daily job search tasks. This way I could honestly say I was prioritizing employment and was available during standard interview times. Also, document EVERYTHING. I kept screenshots of job applications, emails with recruiters, and notes from networking calls. When ESD did question me about my availability, having that documentation made all the difference. They could see I was genuinely committed to finding work, not just going through the motions while focusing on my business. Hope this helps! The key is being strategic about how you balance both priorities.
This is exactly the kind of practical advice I was looking for! The "no business activities during business hours" rule makes so much sense - it shows you're prioritizing job searching and staying available for interviews. I really like how you framed it as documenting your "primary activity." Did you end up finding a job while working on your app, or did the app eventually become successful enough to pursue full-time? I'm curious how it all worked out for you in the end. And thanks for emphasizing the documentation part - it sounds like that really saved you when ESD questioned your availability.
Connor O'Reilly
One thing no one's mentioned - have you tried adjusting your search radius on WorkSource? Sometimes the default is set really low like 10 miles. If you bump it up to maybe 30 (still reasonable commute) you might find more options. Also check if your resume has all the right keywords for your field - WorkSource uses those to match you with jobs.
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Ava Thompson
•I think my radius is set to 25 miles, but even that is pushing it since I don't have reliable transportation. But you're right about the keywords - I haven't optimized my resume specifically for WorkSource's matching system. I'll update that tonight and see if it helps match me with more relevant positions. Thanks for the tip!
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Yara Abboud
I just went through my WorkSource follow-up last week and had almost the exact same situation! My action plan only required creating the account and uploading my resume (which I did), but I'd only applied to maybe 3 jobs through WorkSource because most were either way out of my field or had crazy commute times. My case manager was totally understanding when I explained the situation. I brought a printed log of all my weekly job search activities from Indeed, LinkedIn, and company websites, and she said that was perfect. She even helped me set up better search filters on WorkSource and suggested some networking events in my area that count toward job search activities. The key thing she emphasized was that the 3 weekly job search activities can come from anywhere - WorkSource is just one tool, not the only requirement. As long as you completed what was specifically written in your action plan and you're documenting your ongoing job search efforts, you should be fine. Don't stress too much about it!
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Eduardo Silva
•This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It sounds like your case manager handled it very similarly to what others have described - focusing on the actual requirements rather than making assumptions about WorkSource usage. I'm definitely going to print out my weekly job search logs like you did and bring specific examples of the limited WorkSource options in my area. The networking events suggestion is great too - I hadn't thought about those counting toward activities. Feeling much more confident about my appointment now!
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