Thanks everyone for all the info! This has cleared up a lot of confusion I had about how Washington ESD calculates benefits. Definitely feel more prepared for when my claim gets processed.

This thread has been incredibly informative! I just wanted to add that for anyone who's still waiting for their claim to be processed, you can actually estimate your weekly benefit amount ahead of time using the gross wage information from your pay stubs. Washington typically replaces about 50% of your average weekly wage (calculated from your highest quarter), but there's a maximum weekly benefit amount that gets updated each year. Having a rough estimate helped me budget while I was waiting for my official determination letter.

my claim took 6 weeks to get approved last time but i still got paid for all those weeks once it went thru. just keep filing weekly and doing job search until u hear back

Just wanted to add - I went through this exact situation last year when my claim was pending for 3 weeks. The key thing is to treat it like you're already approved from day one. I kept detailed records of every job application, networking event, and even time spent updating my LinkedIn profile. When my claim finally got approved, I received backpay for all those weeks because I had maintained eligibility the whole time. The uncertainty is really stressful, but staying consistent with the requirements is what saved me. Also, if you're having trouble finding 3 activities per week, remember that things like attending virtual job fairs, taking online career assessments, and even researching companies for future applications can count toward your requirements. Good luck with your claim!

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I'm going to try the early morning calling strategy tomorrow and also check out that Claimyr service as a backup. Will update if I make any progress.

I feel your pain - I've been in the exact same situation for the past month. One thing that finally worked for me was using an auto-redial app on my phone so I didn't have to manually keep calling the 800-318-6022 number over and over. I set it to redial every 30 seconds and just let it run while I did other things. Eventually got through after about 3 hours of auto-redialing. Also, if you have any documentation or case numbers related to your stuck claim, have those ready when you do get connected - it speeds up the process significantly.

Have you tried the technical support line instead of the claims line? Sometimes the technical support agents can help with basic claim issues or at least transfer you to someone who can. Their queue usually isn't as bad. Also, I've had success with the Spanish line (if you speak any Spanish) and then asking for English assistance once connected. Not ideal but sometimes works in desperate situations.

I've been dealing with this nightmare for 2 weeks now! What's worked for me is using the callback feature on the eServices website - you have to check it multiple times a day but occasionally they'll have callback slots available. Also found that calling right at 12:30pm sometimes works because that's when some agents come back from lunch and the queue resets slightly. The whole system is broken but don't give up - your benefits are worth the hassle. One more tip: if you have a local WorkSource office, sometimes they can help escalate issues or at least give you better guidance on which phone options to try.

I work with unemployment claims regularly, and I can confirm you do NOT serve another waiting week when reopening an existing claim during the same benefit year. The one-waiting-week-per-benefit-year rule is clearly stated in RCW 50.20.010(1)(c). However, be aware that if you earned enough during your temporary job to establish a new claim with a higher weekly benefit amount, ESD might suggest you file a new claim instead of reopening the old one. In that case, you would serve a new waiting week, but it might be worth it for the higher benefit amount. This is uncommon though, and would require significant earnings during your temporary work period.

Just want to add my experience - reopened my claim in August after a 10-week temp position and definitely did NOT have to serve another waiting week. Got paid for my first week back on unemployment without any issues. The key thing is making sure you're still within your original benefit year (which sounds like you are since you filed in February). Also double-check that you're filing your weekly claims correctly - I almost missed the deadline my first week back because I forgot the routine! Good luck with your job search.