Thanks everyone for all this helpful info! I feel much more confident about filing now. It sounds like seasonal work ending definitely qualifies for unemployment benefits, which is a huge relief. I'm going to gather all my employment documents and file online this week. Really appreciate all the detailed advice about the job search requirements and wage calculations - this community is awesome!

I was in a similar situation after my seasonal job at a pumpkin patch ended last fall! The good news is that seasonal layoffs absolutely qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington. The application process was pretty straightforward - just make sure you have all your employment dates and wage information ready. One thing I wish I had known earlier is that you need to start your job search activities right away, even if you're hoping to get called back for next season. Washington ESD requires those 3 weekly job search activities regardless of whether your layoff is seasonal or permanent. Also, don't let the waiting week discourage you - file as soon as possible to get your benefit year started. The sooner you apply, the sooner you'll start receiving payments after that first unpaid week.

I just went through this exact same situation last month! I was so worried about skipping a week when I got extra hours at my job, but it turned out to be completely fine. Your claim definitely stays active - I skipped filing for one week when I worked 35 hours, then just resumed the following week when my schedule went back to normal. No issues whatsoever, no restart needed, and the system picked up right where I left off. The ESD really is designed for people with fluctuating work schedules like ours. Just make sure when you file next week that you report your earnings from this busy week accurately. You're doing the right thing by not filing when you know you won't qualify - that's exactly how it's supposed to work!

I had this exact same concern when I started getting irregular temp assignments through an agency! You're absolutely fine to skip filing for that week where you worked 32 hours. Your claim stays open for the full benefit year, so one skipped week won't affect anything at all. I've been doing this for about 6 months now - some weeks I get 30+ hours and don't file, other weeks I'm back to part-time and resume filing normally. The ESD system handles it perfectly and there's never been any issues with restarting or triggering reviews. Just make sure when you do file next week that you accurately report the earnings from your busy week. This is exactly the situation the unemployment system is designed to handle - people with variable work schedules who sometimes earn too much to qualify for benefits. Don't worry about it at all!

As a fellow veteran who went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago, I can confirm everything that's been shared here is accurate! I'm retired Air Force (26 years) and was getting around $2,800/month in retirement pay when I got laid off from my defense contractor job. I was terrified that my retirement income would disqualify me or reduce my benefits, but it had absolutely zero impact on my unemployment claim. The Washington ESD application process was actually pretty straightforward once I found that military retirement dropdown menu that others mentioned. What really helped me was having all my documentation ready beforehand - DD214, LES statements showing retirement pay amounts, and all the details from my civilian employment. The weekly claims process has been smooth too since the retirement pay is already noted in my file. For anyone still on the fence about filing - don't let the military retirement pay hold you back. You earned both that retirement through your service AND the right to unemployment benefits from your civilian employment. They're completely separate entitlements and Washington state handles this situation really well. This thread has been such a great resource for our military community!

This has been such an incredibly comprehensive and helpful discussion! As another military retiree (Navy, 20 years) who's been nervously sitting on the sidelines about filing for unemployment after my recent layoff, reading through all these real experiences has been exactly what I needed. It's clear that Washington state really does understand our situation as veterans - from the specific RCW statute mentioned to having dedicated dropdown options in their application system. What strikes me most is how this community has provided more clarity and reassurance than hours of trying to navigate official websites and phone systems. I'm particularly grateful for the practical tips about having documentation ready and the reassurance that our military retirement pay truly is treated as separate from employment income. After 20 years of service and now facing civilian job loss, it's comforting to know that both benefits we've earned remain intact. Planning to file my claim this week - thank you all for your service and for creating such a supportive resource for fellow veterans!

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation right now! My claim has been in processing for about 6 days after sitting in pending for nearly two weeks. I was getting so anxious about what it all meant, but reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring. The fact that processing actually means someone is actively working on your file makes me feel so much better. I'm also in construction and worked for multiple contractors last year, so it sounds like that complexity is pretty common for our industry. I'm definitely going to try that Tuesday 8 AM calling strategy that several people have mentioned, and I just set up the text notifications after reading through all these helpful tips. It's honestly frustrating that the ESD website doesn't explain these status differences clearly - this community thread has been way more informative than anything official I could find. Thanks for starting this conversation Aisha, and thanks to everyone who's shared their real experiences and practical advice!

I'm new to this community but going through the exact same stressful situation! My claim has been bouncing between pending and processing for about 10 days now and I was starting to think something was seriously wrong. Reading through all these responses has been such a relief - I had no idea that this back-and-forth was actually normal or that construction claims typically take longer due to multiple employer verifications. I worked for four different contractors last year so that definitely explains the delays I'm seeing. The tips about calling at 8 AM on Tuesdays, setting up text notifications, and using the secure messaging system are game-changers - I never would have found any of this information on the ESD website. It's honestly incredible how much more helpful this community thread is than any official resources. Thanks so much Aisha for asking this question and to everyone who's shared their real experiences. Finally feels like I understand what's actually happening with my claim instead of just stressing about mysterious status changes!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. My benefits exhausted but I kept filing weekly claims for about 8 weeks afterward while job hunting. It was definitely worth it because when I had a brief part-time job that ended after 3 weeks, I was able to restart my benefits immediately without any hassle. The job search reporting does feel redundant when you're not getting paid, but it only takes a few minutes each week and could save you major headaches later. Plus, some employers actually check unemployment records during hiring, so having continuous filing shows you've been consistently looking for work. Just think of it as insurance for your claim status.

I'm in a similar situation - my benefits are running low and I've been wondering about this too. From reading everyone's responses, it sounds like continuing to file is the smart move even without payments. I had no idea that stopping for 4+ weeks makes your claim inactive! That's definitely something ESD should make clearer in their communications. The job search requirement staying at 3 activities seems reasonable since you're maintaining your claim status. Has anyone here actually experienced one of those rare benefit extensions that Jamal mentioned? I'm curious how that process works if it ever happens again.