Thanks everyone for all the advice and information. This has been really helpful and honestly makes me feel less alone in this situation. I'm going to start applying for assistance programs this week and reach out to some of the resources mentioned. Hopefully I'll find something before my benefits run out but at least now I have backup plans.

Hey Malik, I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago and I know how scary it feels. One thing that really helped me was contacting 211 (just dial 2-1-1) - they have a database of local resources and can help you find assistance programs in your specific area that you might not know about. They helped me find a local nonprofit that had emergency utility assistance and even some job placement services. Also, if you're struggling with food costs, don't overlook the food banks - many of them also have connections to other community resources and job opportunities. The key is to start reaching out now while you still have those 3 weeks of benefits coming in. You're not alone in this and there are more resources available than you might realize.

One last thing - if you do decide to apply, don't wait. File as soon as possible after your last day of work because there's usually a processing time before benefits start, and you can't backdate your claim very far.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that your unemployment benefits might affect your eligibility for certain other programs or benefits. For example, if you're getting health insurance through Washington state programs, the unemployment income could potentially impact your qualification levels. Also, if you have student loans, unemployment benefits count as income for income-driven repayment plans, which might increase your monthly payments. It's worth checking how unemployment benefits interact with any other financial assistance you might be receiving.

Bottom line: no waiting period in Washington, file immediately, be honest on your application, and start doing your job search activities right away. Most claims go through without issues if you follow the rules and report everything correctly.

Hey Cameron! I just went through this same situation a few months ago. You're getting some conflicting info in the comments, so let me clarify - Washington State eliminated the one-week waiting period back in 2019. You can file your initial claim right away and start collecting benefits from your first week of unemployment if you're approved. Don't wait! File today and make sure to also file your weekly claim for the week you became unemployed. The sooner you get everything submitted, the sooner you'll see your first payment (usually takes about 10 days after filing if there are no issues with your claim).

Don't give up! I know it's incredibly frustrating but most active issues do eventually get resolved. The system is slow and communication is terrible, but keep filing your weekly claims and keep trying to get through to someone who can give you specifics about your case.

I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim 3 weeks ago and it's been showing "active issues" ever since with zero explanation. I've tried calling dozens of times but can never get through. The most frustrating part is not knowing if it's something simple I could fix myself or if it's completely out of my hands. I'm going to try some of the suggestions here like checking at different times of day and looking more carefully through all the message sections. Really hoping this gets resolved soon because I'm running out of savings.

One more important point your friend should be aware of: When an employee's FMLA ends and the employer states they have no work available, this is generally considered a layoff, not a termination for cause or voluntary separation. This distinction is crucial for UI eligibility. Your friend should save any communications (emails, texts) where the employer stated no work was available. If the conversation was verbal, he should follow up with an email summarizing their conversation to create a paper trail. Something like: "As discussed on [date], I understand that when my FMLA leave ends on [date], there will be no position available for me to return to, and you've advised me to apply for unemployment benefits." This documentation will be invaluable if his claim gets flagged for adjudication, which happens frequently with FMLA-to-unemployment transitions.

I went through this exact situation when my FMLA ended last year. Your friend is smart to ask about timing - it really matters! Here's what I learned: Wait until the day AFTER his FMLA officially ends to file. Filing while still technically on leave can trigger red flags in the system. When he applies, he should select "laid off due to lack of work" as his separation reason since the employer specifically told him no positions are available. A few things that helped me: - I took screenshots of all my communications with HR about no work being available - I prepared a clear timeline of events for the application - I had my employment history ready (last 18 months of jobs, dates, wages) One thing to watch for - if his FMLA was unpaid, it might affect his benefit calculation since they look at your highest earning quarters. But ESD can sometimes use an alternative base year if the standard one doesn't work in your favor. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me to start getting benefits, so tell him to apply as soon as his FMLA ends. Good luck to your friend!