Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses. This thread has been way more informative than trying to navigate the Washington ESD website on my own.

Just wanted to add that if you're struggling financially during that waiting period, there might be other resources available through local food banks, utility assistance programs, or emergency rental assistance. The waiting period is tough, but there are community resources that can help bridge that gap while you're waiting for your first unemployment payment.

Really appreciate all the detailed explanations here. Way more helpful than trying to navigate the Washington ESD website alone.

I went through this exact same situation last year when my regular UI benefits were ending. The most important thing is to keep filing your weekly claims even after your 26 weeks are up - don't stop! Washington ESD will automatically review your eligibility for Extended Benefits if they're available based on the state's unemployment rate. You'll get a letter in the mail within a couple weeks letting you know if you qualify. In my case, I was able to get an additional 13 weeks of EB. Just make sure you're still doing all your job search requirements through WorkSourceWA because those don't change whether you're on regular UI or extensions. The waiting period is nerve-wracking but they do communicate with you about what happens next.

To address your specific questions: 1. Yes, laid off and fired are very different for unemployment purposes. Laid off means the separation wasn't your fault (typically eligible for benefits). Fired could mean misconduct was involved (potentially disqualifying). 2. The missing employer information is a significant issue. ESD needs this to verify your wages and employment history. 3. What you should do: Call the ESD claims center (800-318-6022) to correct both issues. You can also send a secure message through your eServices account explaining the situation. 4. This won't necessarily disqualify you, but it could delay your benefits while they sort it out. 5. Gather any documentation showing you were laid off (separation notice, email from employer, etc.) to help verify your status. Don't worry too much - these types of errors happen frequently and can be corrected. The important thing is addressing it promptly.

Hey there! I totally understand your stress - I went through something similar last year when I accidentally put the wrong quit date on my claim. Here's what I learned: First, definitely call ESD ASAP to fix both issues. The laid off vs fired distinction is crucial because it affects your eligibility determination. Laid off typically means you're eligible immediately, while fired can trigger an investigation. For the missing employer info, that's actually a bigger immediate problem than you might think. ESD needs that information to send the separation notice to your employer and verify your wages. Without it, your claim will likely get stuck or denied. A few tips from my experience: - Call the claims center at 800-318-6022 first thing in the morning (they open at 8am) - Have your Social Security number and claim confirmation number ready - Be prepared to explain exactly what happened - they deal with these kinds of mistakes all the time - If you can't get through by phone, try sending a secure message through your eServices account The good news is that these errors are fixable! Just don't wait too long because the longer you wait, the more complicated it becomes to sort out. You've got this!

Bottom line - your weekly benefit amount will be roughly 50-65% of what you were making per week when you were working, up to the state maximum. Not enough to live comfortably but hopefully enough to get by while you find your next job.

I went through this same confusion when I filed my claim a few months ago. The formula everyone mentioned is accurate - they take your highest quarter earnings from your base year and divide by 26 to get your weekly benefit amount. What helped me was looking at all four quarters of my base year earnings and identifying which one was highest. In my case, I had worked overtime during Q3 which made that my highest quarter at around $16,200, so my weekly benefit came out to about $385. Also definitely claim those dependents right away if you have kids - that extra $35 per week per child adds up over time and is much easier to do upfront than trying to add them later.

For anyone still struggling to get through to Washington ESD for claim status updates, I can't recommend Claimyr enough. They connect you directly to an agent without the usual runaround. Really wish I had known about it sooner when I was dealing with my claim issues.

I went through this exact same anxiety when I filed my claim a few months ago. The waiting period is definitely the hardest part! In my experience, you'll know your claim is approved when you see three key things in your eServices account: 1) Your weekly benefit amount appears in the Payment Information section, 2) Your benefit year dates show up, and 3) You can access the weekly claim filing option. The determination letter usually arrives within 10-14 business days and will give you all the official details. Try not to stress too much - 10 days is still well within the normal timeframe. Most claims that don't have major issues get approved around the 2-week mark.