The key thing to remember is that Washington ESD's primary concern is whether you're genuinely available for work. If you can honestly say you're available for full-time work and your school schedule doesn't prevent you from accepting a job, you should be okay.

I actually went through the approval process for nursing school while on unemployment benefits last year. The most important thing is to contact WorkSource Washington BEFORE you enroll - they have a specific application process for Training Benefits that can take several weeks to process. For nursing programs, they typically approve them because healthcare is considered high-demand, but you need to show that your program will lead to employment in a field with good job prospects. I had to provide documentation about the program, graduation requirements, and potential salary ranges. Once approved, you don't have to do the regular job search requirements, but you still file weekly claims and report your training status. The whole process was actually smoother than I expected once I got the right approvals in place.

This is reassuring. I think I've been overthinking every little change. Will give it a few more days before I panic. Thanks again everyone!

I'm new to this whole unemployment process and reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and nerve-wracking! I just filed my initial claim yesterday and I'm already checking the website obsessively. Sounds like I need to manage my expectations about how often updates happen. Quick question - when you all say "weekly claims," is that something separate from the initial application? I want to make sure I don't miss any required steps while I'm waiting for my claim to be processed.

Just remember that when you do get through to Washington ESD to report your move, have all your information ready - new address, phone number, when the move is happening, etc. It'll make the call go much smoother.

I went through this exact situation when I moved from Washington to Colorado while collecting unemployment. The good news is it's totally doable! You just need to update your address in your eServices account and continue filing your weekly claims. The key things to remember: 1) You're still filing with Washington ESD since that's where you worked, 2) You can search for jobs in Oregon, 3) Keep detailed records of your job search activities, and 4) Make sure you can honestly say you're available for work. I had zero issues with my benefits continuing after the move. The only hiccup was it took me forever to get through to ESD to ask questions, but the actual process was straightforward.

Final update from OP: My claim was approved! Took about 2 weeks and they did contact my former employer to verify. Thanks everyone for the advice about selecting layoff and providing documentation. Really helped me feel confident about my application.

Congratulations on getting approved! This is such a helpful thread for anyone dealing with confusing separation paperwork. The key takeaway seems to be: be honest about what actually happened (layoff due to business reasons), provide supporting documentation, and don't get hung up on whatever terminology your employer used. Washington ESD investigators are pretty good at sorting out the real situation from company paperwork language.

Final practical advice: document everything, keep copies of all applications and correspondence, and don't be afraid to ask for help. There's no shame in using available resources - that's what they're there for.

I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful. One thing I'd add is to check if your county has any emergency rental assistance programs - King County and several others still have funding available for people transitioning off unemployment. Also, some utility companies have hardship programs that can help with bills. The key is applying for everything you might qualify for before you actually need it, since most programs have waiting periods. Don't wait until you're behind on rent or utilities to reach out.