Just remember that even if regular benefits end, keep filing your weekly claims until you're officially told to stop. Sometimes there are delays in processing extensions if they become available.

I'm in a similar situation - my benefits end in about 5 weeks and I'm really worried about what happens next. From what I've gathered reading through everyone's responses, it sounds like Washington doesn't have automatic extensions right now, but there might be some state-specific programs depending on unemployment rates. The suggestion about using Claimyr to actually get through to someone at ESD seems really helpful since so many people are having trouble reaching them by phone. I'm also going to look into those WorkSource training programs and start researching local assistance options now rather than waiting until the last minute. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's scary but at least we're not going through this alone.

Good luck OP! The first payment is always the most nerve-wracking but it sounds like you're doing everything right.

I went through the exact same thing last year! Filed my claim, saw "processed" status, but then had to wait what felt like forever for actual money. In my case, it was about 14 days from filing to first payment hitting my account. The "processed" status is actually a good sign - it means they've approved your initial claim and you're in the system. Just keep doing those weekly claims religiously because if you miss one, it can really mess things up. I know the bills piling up part is stressful, but based on your timeline you should see something very soon. Hang in there!

Is anyone else worried about how common identity theft seems to be with unemployment claims? My cousin had the same thing happen last month but she couldn't get it resolved and ended up waiting 6 weeks to file her claim. Then they questioned why she waited so long to file after her job ended! The whole system feels like a catch-22 sometimes.

I'm glad you were able to get this resolved! This is actually a growing problem - unemployment fraud increased dramatically during the pandemic and the systems are still catching up. For anyone else facing this issue, here are a few additional tips: 1) Screenshot everything when you encounter the mystery email screen - ESD agents will need to see exactly what you're seeing, 2) If you suspect identity theft, file a report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov before calling ESD - having that reference number can help expedite the process, and 3) Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports while you're dealing with this. The whole situation is frustrating but it's definitely fixable once you reach the right person.

Just to summarize for the original poster - FUTA tax calculation happens quarterly based on wages paid during that quarter, but you track the $7,000 annual wage base per employee. Deposit quarterly if over $500 liability, otherwise annually. The 0.6% effective rate assumes you pay Washington ESD taxes on time.

One additional tip that might help - if you're doing this manually, create a simple spreadsheet to track each employee's cumulative wages for the year. Set up columns for employee name, total wages paid to date, and remaining FUTA taxable wages (up to the $7,000 limit). This makes it much easier to calculate your quarterly liability and ensures you don't accidentally pay FUTA on wages over the annual limit. I learned this the hard way when I overpaid FUTA taxes in my first year handling payroll and had to wait for a refund from the IRS.

Thank you all for the helpful information! I'm going to apply for PFML this week and make sure to notify ESD when I stop my UI claim. I'll also prepare for a potential 3-week gap between benefits by setting aside some money. I'll have my doctor complete all the paperwork thoroughly to avoid delays. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences!

One more tip that might help - when you call ESD to stop your UI claim, ask them to email you a confirmation that your claim has been stopped and the effective date. I didn't do this when I transitioned to PFML and later had to prove when I stopped claiming UI. Having that email would have saved me hours on the phone trying to get documentation. Also, if you're in construction, make sure your PFML application reflects any seasonal work patterns in your base year wages. Sometimes the automated system doesn't calculate benefits correctly for workers with irregular income, and you might need to request a manual review. Best of luck with your surgery and recovery!