Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about filing my weekly claims now. This community is so much more helpful than trying to navigate the Washington ESD website on my own.

I went through this same confusion when I first started filing! One thing that really helped me was printing out the weekly claim confirmation page each time I submitted. That way I had a record of exactly what I reported and when I filed. Also, if you're ever unsure about how to answer a specific question, there are usually little help icons next to each question that explain what they're looking for. Don't rush through it - take your time to read everything carefully since you can't edit once you submit.

I went through this exact situation last year when my company did layoffs. A few things that really helped me that I don't see mentioned yet: 1. **Get your final paystub ASAP** - You'll need it for the application and it shows your exact last day worked. Don't rely on memory for dates. 2. **Check if your company offers any severance** - Even a week or two can help bridge the gap. If they do, make sure you understand how it affects your unemployment timing. 3. **Apply for emergency assistance programs NOW** - Many counties have emergency rental assistance that can help while you wait for unemployment. Don't wait until you're behind on bills. 4. **Start networking immediately** - The job search requirement is real, so get ahead of it. Update your LinkedIn, reach out to contacts, etc. The anxiety is totally normal - I barely slept the week before my layoff. But following the advice here (especially about getting that separation letter and being super careful with dates) really does help things go smoother. You've got this!

Just wanted to add one more thing that saved me a lot of headache - if you're using direct deposit (which I highly recommend), make sure your bank account information is 100% correct. Double and triple check the routing and account numbers. A friend of mine had ONE digit wrong in her routing number and it took an extra 3 weeks to get sorted out because the payment bounced back and then had to go through their whole correction process. She had to wait for a paper check to be mailed, which added even more delay. Also, if you have any old unemployment claims from years past (even if you never received benefits), make sure you know that information. Sometimes the system pulls up old claims and it can cause confusion during the application process. You're asking all the right questions and preparing well - that's going to help a lot. The unknown is always the scariest part, but you're being proactive about it which puts you ahead of many people who just wing it.

Based on everything discussed, here's what I'd recommend: 1. Verify your work hours from your paystubs to confirm the 475 hours is accurate 2. Check if you qualify for an alternative base year (though it sounds unlikely based on your work history) 3. Consider if the potential benefit amount for just 3 weeks is worth the time and stress of an appeal process that could take 8+ weeks 4. Focus on your new job opportunity and ensuring you accumulate enough hours there for future eligibility if needed Also, you should know that the appeal deadline is 30 days from the date on your determination letter, so you do have some time to make this decision. You could even file the appeal to preserve your rights, then withdraw it later if you decide it's not worth pursuing after starting your new job.

I went through something similar a couple years ago and ended up not appealing - best decision I made! The appeal process is honestly a black hole of time and stress, especially when you already have a job lined up. One thing that might help you feel better about the decision: even if you had won the appeal (which sounds unlikely given the hours requirement), you would have had to pay back any benefits once you started working anyway if you didn't report your new job properly. The system is designed to catch that stuff. Focus on that new job opportunity - having steady employment is way better than a few weeks of benefits that might not even materialize. Plus, once you get established at the new place, you'll have a much stronger foundation for any future claims if needed. Good luck with the new position!

Final reminder - unemployment law changes periodically, so make sure you're looking at current information. What was true a few years ago might not apply today, especially with all the changes that happened during the pandemic.

One category that hasn't been mentioned yet is elected officials and board members of non-profits. These positions are typically exempt from unemployment coverage in Washington. Also, if you're working for a spouse's business as the only employee, that's usually exempt too. The key thing to remember is that these exemptions are based on the specific working relationship, not just the job title. I've seen cases where someone thought they were exempt but actually weren't because their situation didn't meet all the criteria.

UPDATE: I completed the ID.me verification and got an email this morning saying my identity is now verified! My claim status changed from "pending" to "processing" so it looks like things are finally moving. THANK YOU all for your help - especially for pointing out the SAW verification issue. I would have never figured that out on my own since ESD never mentioned it anywhere.

Awesome update! So glad you got it sorted out - this is exactly why I love this community. The SAW/ID.me verification issue has been tripping up so many people since the system changes this year. ESD really needs to do a better job communicating these requirements upfront instead of leaving people stuck for weeks. Hope you get your first payment soon and can catch up on those bills! 🙏