Perfect, thank you! That makes sense. I've applied for some temp positions that would end right around my due date, so this is really helpful information.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this situation - pregnancy discrimination is unfortunately more common than it should be. As someone who went through a similar experience, I want to echo what others have said about documenting everything and definitely uploading those accommodation emails to your ESD account. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet: when you're doing your weekly job searches, consider reaching out to temp agencies that specialize in short-term placements. Many are more understanding about hiring someone for a few months, and some even have clients specifically looking for temporary coverage. I found this approach less stressful than trying to navigate potential discrimination in traditional interviews. Also, make sure you're familiar with your rights during job interviews - employers legally cannot ask about pregnancy, family plans, or medical conditions. If they do, you're not required to answer, and it could be additional evidence of discrimination if they don't hire you. Keep your chin up - you're doing all the right things by documenting everything and pursuing multiple avenues for support. The combination of UI benefits now and PFML later will help bridge you financially through this challenging time.

For anyone else in this situation - don't panic! Empty debit card is normal. Just keep filing your weekly claims and check your account online every few days. The money will show up eventually.

Just went through this exact same thing last month! Got my KeyBank card and immediately panicked when I saw $0.00. Turns out Washington ESD has this weird process where they mail the card right after approval but payments don't start until after you've completed your first weekly claim AND they've processed it. The whole thing took about 12 days from getting the card to seeing my first deposit. Hang in there - once that first payment hits, the rest come like clockwork every week!

For anyone reading this later - the key takeaway is that Washington ESD will investigate contractor vs employee classification. Don't self-eliminate if you think you might have been misclassified. Apply and let them make the determination.

I've been following this thread as someone who went through a similar situation about 2 years ago. One thing I'd add is to make sure you document not just the control aspects, but also your financial relationship with the company. Did they provide all your work? Were you economically dependent on them as your sole source of income? Washington ESD also considers economic realities when determining classification. In my case, even though I had some flexibility in how I did the work, the fact that they were my only client and I was financially dependent on them helped my case. Also, don't be discouraged if the initial determination goes against you - you have appeal rights and the appeals process sometimes takes a closer look at the evidence.

UPDATE: My claim just switched from pending to active today (day 5). Didn't receive any notification - just happened to check this morning. Thanks everyone for the advice and reassurance! For anyone else going through this, seems like waiting is the best approach unless it goes beyond a week.

Great to see this resolved! Just wanted to add for future readers - I've noticed that ESD seems to process these benefit year transitions in batches, which is probably why some people see changes after 3 days while others wait 7-10 days. It's not necessarily that there's a problem with the longer waits, just depends on when your claim gets picked up in their processing queue. Also worth noting that if you DO end up needing to call, early morning (right at 8am) or late afternoon (after 4pm) tend to have shorter wait times in my experience.

did ur employer say theyre gonna fight ur claim?? mine did and thats y it took so long, they have to interview both sides when theres a disagreement

I'm an employment attorney and can offer some general guidance (though this isn't legal advice for your specific situation). In Washington, for misconduct to disqualify you from benefits, it generally needs to be connected to your work. The burden is on the employer to prove misconduct. Since you mentioned a bar fight that resulted in a misdemeanor, the adjudicator will evaluate: 1. Whether your employer had a specific policy about off-duty conduct 2. Whether your position was one of special trust or public visibility 3. Whether the incident created a direct impact on your employer's business You are smart to keep filing weekly claims. If approved, you'll receive backpay for all weeks claimed. Continue your job search activities and document them thoroughly - you need at least 3 job search activities per week. Given the complexity of your case, you might consider contacting the Unemployment Law Project (unemploymentlawproject.org) for free legal assistance if you receive a denial.