One final note - if you do run into any complications with your claim or need to speak with Washington ESD about your specific situation, remember that Claimyr option I mentioned earlier. Sometimes having a real conversation with an ESD agent can clear up issues that would otherwise drag on for weeks through the online system.

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who works in payroll - the unemployment tax system is pretty fair when you understand it. Employers pay into the fund continuously based on their payroll, and the rate adjustments based on claims history actually encourage good employment practices. Companies that maintain stable workforces and only lay people off when truly necessary end up with lower rates over time. It's designed to make unemployment insurance sustainable while protecting workers who lose jobs through no fault of their own. Don't feel guilty about filing - you and your employer both contributed to this system while you were working.

Thanks for all the detailed info everyone! Based on what I'm reading, with my $52k salary I should expect somewhere in the $600-700 range weekly, which is actually better than I thought. The one week waiting period is good to know too. I'm hoping I won't need to file but it's reassuring to understand how it all works. Definitely going to bookmark this thread in case I need to reference the Claimyr service or appeal process later. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences!

Just want to add that if you're concerned about the waiting period, you should file your claim on Sunday night/Monday morning to start the week off right. I made the mistake of filing mid-week and it pushed everything back. Also, make sure you have your Social Security card and driver's license handy when you apply - the system will ask for those numbers and it's faster if you don't have to hunt them down. One more tip: screenshot or write down your confirmation numbers for everything. The system can be glitchy and having those reference numbers saved me when I had to call customer service.

I'm so glad you reached out about this - separation issues are one of the most stressful parts of the unemployment process! Based on what you've described, it sounds like there's a discrepancy between what you reported (laid off due to budget cuts) and what your employer may have told ESD about your termination. The good news is that you already have communication from ESD acknowledging your claim is being reviewed, which means you're in the system and progressing through the process. Make sure you're continuing to file your weekly claims during this time - you'll receive back pay for all eligible weeks once it's resolved. Since you mentioned budget cuts as the reason for your layoff, gather any documentation you have that supports this - termination letters, company-wide emails about layoffs, news articles about the company's financial situation, anything that shows the separation was due to economic reasons rather than your performance or conduct. The adjudication timeline varies, but from what I've seen it's typically 6-10 weeks right now. When the adjudicator calls (and they will, usually without advance notice), have your timeline and supporting documents ready. Be clear and factual about the circumstances of your separation. Keep checking your eServices account daily for any questionnaires or document requests, and don't hesitate to upload additional supporting documentation proactively. You're doing the right thing by staying on top of this!

I'm dealing with a separation issue too - week 8 and counting! My employer claimed I "violated company policy" when I was actually terminated after requesting reasonable accommodations for a disability. The whole process has been incredibly stressful, especially with bills piling up. What's helped me stay organized is creating a document with three columns: Date, Action Taken, and Reference Number. Every time I upload a document, send a message, or make a call, I log it immediately. This has been invaluable when ESD agents ask "what have you already tried?" One tip I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you have any performance reviews, awards, or positive feedback from your time at the company, upload those too. They help paint a fuller picture that contradicts claims about poor performance or policy violations. The waiting is absolutely brutal, but reading everyone's experiences here gives me hope that persistence pays off. Keep fighting for what you're entitled to!

I've been working part-time while collecting unemployment for about 4 months now and it's been a lifesaver financially. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also be prepared for your benefits to potentially end sooner if you're working regularly. Even though you're earning less than your full weekly benefit amount, those partial benefit weeks still count toward your total benefit year. So if you were originally eligible for 26 weeks of benefits, working part-time doesn't extend that timeline - you'll still max out after 26 weeks total. Just something to keep in mind for your longer-term planning. But definitely take the part-time work! It helps with both finances and keeping your skills sharp while you search for full-time employment.

I've been through this exact situation and want to emphasize something that might not be obvious - when you start working part-time, make sure you understand how your work schedule affects your availability for other job opportunities. Washington ESD requires that you be available for full-time work, so if your part-time schedule is very rigid or conflicts with potential interviews, you might need to address that. I learned this when I had to turn down an interview because of my part-time work schedule and realized I needed to have a conversation with my part-time employer about flexibility for job search activities. Most reasonable employers understand this situation, but it's worth discussing upfront. Also, don't forget that any work-related expenses (like transportation or uniforms) don't offset your reported earnings - you still report the full gross amount even if you had costs associated with the work.

I've been collecting unemployment for about 3 months now and went through this exact same worry when my family invited me to a wedding in Idaho. I was so anxious about it that I almost didn't go, but I'm really glad I did in the end. What helped me decide was thinking about it practically - Idaho is only about 5-6 hours away, so I could definitely get back quickly for any work opportunities. I made sure to continue my job search activities while I was there (applied to a couple jobs from my hotel room) and was completely honest on my weekly claim about being available for work since I genuinely could have returned if needed. No issues at all with my benefits. The whole experience taught me that Washington ESD really is more reasonable than we sometimes think - they understand people have families and normal life obligations. Your Oregon trip sounds totally fine since it's even closer than my Idaho trip was. Don't let the fear of losing benefits keep you from important family time - just be honest about your availability and make sure you can return for work if needed!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been on unemployment for about 2 months and have been basically afraid to go anywhere beyond grocery shopping because I was so worried about the "able and available" requirement. Reading everyone's real experiences with traveling while on benefits has been such an eye-opener. It's clear that Washington ESD is way more reasonable than I was imagining - they understand that people need to maintain family relationships and have some normalcy in their lives. The consistent advice about being honest on weekly claims and making sure you can return for work opportunities within 24-48 hours makes total sense. I have a family reunion coming up in Portland next month that I was going to skip out of fear, but now I feel confident enough to go. Thanks to everyone who shared their actual experiences - it's so much better than trying to guess based on policy documents alone!