Bottom line for OP: 1) Create SAW account, 2) File initial claim through eServices, 3) Start weekly claims after approval, 4) Keep job search records. Don't worry about account numbers - Washington ESD handles all that automatically.

I went through this exact process last month and can confirm what others have said. Create your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account first - this is just the login portal. Then use that to access eServices where you'll file your actual unemployment claim. The system will automatically assign you an account (using your SSN as the identifier) when you submit your initial claim. No separate account number needed! The whole thing took me about an hour, and I had my monetary determination letter within 3 business days. Make sure you have all your employment history ready before you start - company names, addresses, dates, and reason for leaving each job. Good luck!

this whole thread has been super helpful! I was so confused by all the letters and numbers on the Washington ESD website. Now I actually understand what my UI claim status means when I log in to check it.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I just filed my first UI claim with Washington ESD last week and I've been completely overwhelmed by all the terminology. The website feels like it's written in a foreign language. This explanation of what UI actually means is exactly what I needed - I was also thinking it was some kind of tech term! Now I need to go back through all my paperwork and actually understand what it's telling me. Thank you everyone for breaking this down so clearly.

they always do this annoyin stuff right when u need benifits the most lol. classic ESD. glad u got in tho!

Great to hear you got in! For anyone else still struggling with this, I'd also recommend checking if your browser has any security settings that might be blocking cookies or JavaScript from government sites. Sometimes overly strict privacy settings can cause these endless refresh loops. Also, if you have a VPN running, try turning it off - some VPN IP ranges seem to trigger their fraud detection systems. The late night approach really does work best though!

Just wanted to add my experience - I was in a similar situation last year and also used Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD. The agent I spoke with emphasized that the timing of when you report the 401k withdrawal matters. Make sure you report it in the week you actually receive the funds, not when you initiate the withdrawal. Also, keep in mind that even though it won't affect your weekly benefit amount, Washington ESD may still ask follow-up questions about large lump sum payments, so having all your documentation ready helps speed up the process.

Just to add another perspective - I'm a financial advisor and see this situation a lot. Before cashing out your 401k, consider if your plan offers hardship withdrawals instead of a full distribution. Many plans allow hardship withdrawals for preventing eviction or foreclosure, and while you still pay the 10% penalty, you can often withdraw just what you need rather than the full balance. This preserves more of your retirement savings. Also, some plans have provisions for unemployment-related hardships that might have more favorable terms. It's worth calling your 401k provider directly to ask about all available options before doing a standard early withdrawal.

Good luck with your appeal! Based on what you found in eServices, it sounds like you have a really strong case since they clearly missed one of your employers. Just wanted to add - when you submit your appeal, also include a brief cover letter explaining that ESD failed to count wages from your previous employer and attach copies of ALL your wage documentation (W-2s, final paystubs, etc.). The more documentation you provide upfront, the faster they can process your appeal. Also, about that mysterious CAT approval - I've seen this happen when people have similar names or SSNs get mixed up in their system. Definitely worth asking about when you get through to them. Keep us posted on how it goes!

This happened to my coworker too! She got denied for hours but approved for CAT on the same day. Turns out ESD's system processes different types of applications separately, so you can get approved for training eligibility even if your main UI claim is denied. The CAT approval basically just sits there waiting until/if you qualify for regular benefits. Definitely appeal that denial since you found they missed your previous employer - that's exactly the kind of mistake that gets overturned. And yeah, keep filing weekly claims during the appeal process! The whole system is confusing but you're on the right track now.