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Just wanted to follow up: did you manage to file your weekly claim? If you're still having issues, make sure you're calling during the correct timeframe (Sunday-Friday, 8am-4pm) and that you haven't missed your filing deadline. Each week has a specific window when you can file.
So glad you got it sorted out! For anyone else reading this thread - I work at a local workforce center and we've been getting a lot of calls about this exact issue. The ESD phone system changes seem to be causing confusion for a lot of people. If you're still having trouble after trying all the suggestions here, you can also visit your local WorkSource office and they can help you file your weekly claim in person. Most offices are open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. Just bring your SSN and any documents related to your claim.
Just wanted to add that if you're still employed but worried about a potential layoff, it's worth checking if your employer offers any severance package or if they have to give advance notice under WARN Act requirements. Sometimes having that extra time can help you prepare your unemployment claim better. Also, Washington state has some additional programs like SharedWork that might be relevant if your employer is reducing hours instead of doing full layoffs.
Honestly the whole process is pretty straightforward once you do it. Just answer the weekly claim questions truthfully and you'll be fine. Congrats on the new job!
Congratulations on landing the new job! I went through this exact same process a few months ago and was just as nervous about doing it right. The key thing is to file your weekly claim for the week you start work and honestly report your start date and any wages earned. Washington ESD actually makes it pretty straightforward - there will be specific questions about returning to work that you just answer truthfully. Don't stress too much about it, you're clearly being responsible by asking these questions upfront. The system is designed to handle people transitioning back to work all the time. Just make sure you keep records of your start date and first paycheck in case they ever need verification later. Good luck with the new position!
The consistency is actually one of the better things about Washington ESD compared to other government agencies. Once you know the schedule, you can plan around it.
I've been on unemployment for about 8 months now and can confirm what everyone is saying - Wednesday is the magic day! I file every Sunday night around 8pm and my direct deposit hits Wednesday afternoon like clockwork. The only time it was different was during a federal holiday week when it came Thursday instead. Don't stress too much about your first payment, Washington ESD is actually pretty reliable once you get the hang of their system.
Alexander Zeus
Update: I found my old pay stubs and calculated my base period earnings. Looks like I have about $6,800 total which is just under the $7,347 minimum. Guess I don't qualify after all. Thanks everyone for helping me figure this out before I wasted time filing.
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William Rivera
•Also double-check that you have all your wage records. Sometimes people forget about short-term jobs or don't realize their employer reported wages differently than expected.
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Alexander Zeus
•Good point, I'll make sure I have everything before giving up completely.
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Nia Wilson
Hey Alexander, before you give up completely, you might want to consider getting an official wage verification from Washington ESD. Sometimes employers report wages differently than what shows on your pay stubs, or there might be wages from jobs you forgot about. The ESD can pull your complete wage history across all employers who reported to them. If you're only $547 short, it's worth double-checking - especially since you mentioned working 8 months at $15/hour for 20-25 hours a week, which should actually put you closer to $7,800-$9,750 total. You can request your wage history online through your ESD account or call them (though good luck getting through without a service like Claimyr!).
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