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Good luck with your claim! The process seems overwhelming at first but it's really not too bad once you get started. Most people get through it just fine.
I just went through this process myself a few months ago after being laid off. The most important thing is to not delay - file as soon as possible because your benefit year starts when you file, not when you lost your job. I'd recommend gathering all your employment info for the past 18 months before you start (employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and wages if you have them). The online application at esd.wa.gov took me about 45 minutes once I had everything ready. Also, make sure to set up direct deposit during the application - it's much faster than waiting for checks. The hardest part for me was just getting started, but once you submit that initial application, you're on your way. Don't stress too much about making minor mistakes - you can usually correct them later if needed.
Update: I called ESD this morning and finally got through after trying for 2 hours. The agent confirmed what everyone here said - I should keep filing weekly claims during the temporary work and report all earnings. She said my claim will stay active, I'll just get $0 for the weeks I work full-time, and then payments will resume automatically if/when my hours decrease again. Thanks everyone for your help!
This is such helpful advice! I'm in a similar situation where I might get some temporary work soon and was completely unsure about the process. Reading through all these responses, it's clear that continuing to file weekly claims is the way to go. I had no idea that stopping claims could cause so many issues with reactivation. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - it's so much more helpful than trying to navigate the ESD website alone!
One more important detail - when you file this Sunday, make sure you answer "yes" to the question about whether you worked during the week. Then report the exact dates you worked and the gross earnings (before taxes) of $1,800. Don't round up or down - report the exact amount. And as others mentioned, don't forget to still complete your 3 job search activities for the week.
Just wanted to add - make sure you keep records of that construction work too! Save your pay stubs, timesheets, or any documentation showing the dates and amounts you earned. If ESD ever audits your claim or has questions about that week, you'll want proof that you reported everything accurately. I learned this the hard way when they asked me to verify earnings from 6 months earlier and I had to scramble to find documentation.
final update: got through to washington esd using that claimyr thing and confirmed I can file a new claim too. thanks to whoever mentioned it first
I'm in a very similar situation - my benefits expired in October 2024 and I've been doing gig work since then but just had my hours cut drastically. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! It's reassuring to know that as long as you've worked and earned qualifying wages since your last claim, you can file a new application without any waiting period. I had no idea about services like Claimyr either - might have to give that a try if I run into issues reaching Washington ESD directly. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
Charlotte Jones
Does anyone know if I can switch back and forth between phone and web filing? Or will that mess up my claim somehow? Sometimes I'm not somewhere private where I can make the call with all my personal info.
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Carter Holmes
•You can absolutely switch between methods week to week with no issues. Your claim status isn't affected by how you file - it's the same system on the backend. Just use whichever method is most convenient for you each week. Just make sure you only file once per week using one method or the other.
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Diego Chavez
Wow, this is a game changer! I've been filing online every Sunday for 6 months and always getting frustrated waiting until Wednesday or Thursday for my payment. Just tried the phone system last night after reading this and sure enough - payment hit my account this morning! The IVR was actually pretty straightforward once I got used to it. Thanks for sharing this tip - wish I'd known about it months ago! For anyone hesitant to try it, definitely worth the slight learning curve to get paid 2+ days faster.
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