Bottom line: when in doubt, report it. Better to report something you didn't need to than to not report something you should have. Washington ESD would rather see over-reporting than under-reporting.

This is really helpful info everyone! I'm new to the unemployment system and was completely confused about the earnings rules. From what I'm understanding, the key points are: 1) Report ALL earnings (gross, not net), 2) You can earn up to (weekly benefit + $5) before losing all benefits for that week, 3) Any earnings reduce your benefit dollar-for-dollar after the $5 disregard, and 4) Keep detailed records of everything you report. Is that right? Also seeing a lot of mentions about how hard it is to reach Washington ESD by phone - definitely something to keep in mind if I need to call them.

Since your adjudication has been going on since August, I'd recommend contacting your state representative's office. They can sometimes help expedite claims that have been stuck in the system too long. Just go to the Washington State Legislature website, enter your address, and it'll show you who your representatives are. Their offices often have staff dedicated to helping constituents with unemployment issues.

I went through something very similar last year - quit due to severe anxiety and depression when my employer refused reasonable accommodations. The key thing that helped my case was having my therapist write a detailed letter explaining not just my diagnosis, but specifically how my work environment was exacerbating my condition and why the requested accommodation (flexible schedule in my case) was medically necessary. Three months in adjudication is frustrating but not unheard of, especially with voluntary quit cases. The good news is that Washington state does recognize mental health conditions as legitimate reasons for quitting when accommodations are denied. Keep all your documentation organized and be prepared to clearly articulate during any interview how your PTSD symptoms specifically interfered with your job duties. Hang in there - the wait is brutal but you have a solid case based on what you've described.

This seems to be a widespread issue this week. I work for a community resource center, and we've had multiple clients report the same problem with their UI claims still showing as "processing." From what we've been told, ESD implemented a software update on Sunday night that has caused some delays in processing. They expect all pending claims to be processed by tomorrow (Thursday). If your claim hasn't changed status by Friday morning, that's when I'd recommend contacting them directly.

Just checked my account - mine just switched from "processing" to "paid" about 10 minutes ago. Payment date shows tomorrow. Maybe they're just going through the backlog now? Check your accounts again, might be updating in batches.

Just wanted to update - I finally got through to Washington ESD using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. Turns out my weekly claims were being held up because I needed to verify my identity. The agent walked me through the whole process and got it sorted out. Definitely worth checking out if you're stuck like I was.

One thing that really helped me when I first started filing weekly claims was setting a Sunday morning reminder on my phone. I do it every Sunday at 9am right after I have my coffee - makes it part of my routine so I never forget. The questions are pretty straightforward once you get used to them. Just remember to be completely honest about any work you did, even small amounts, and keep track of your job search activities throughout the week. Don't stress too much about making small mistakes - Washington ESD would rather you ask for clarification than guess. You've got this!

One last thought - if you do end up getting traditional employment, consider keeping some self-employment on the side if possible. That way you have multiple income streams and aren't as vulnerable to layoffs.

Just want to add that some self-employed folks might be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) or similar federal programs if they're still active. Also, if you've done any contract work where the company treated you as an employee and withheld taxes (even incorrectly), that could potentially count toward your eligibility. The rules can be more nuanced than they appear on the surface, so definitely worth having Washington ESD review your specific situation even if it seems hopeless at first glance.