This is such a comprehensive thread! I've been hesitating about plasma donation for weeks but reading everyone's experiences really helps. It sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) Plasma donation isn't considered employment income by Washington ESD, 2) No need to report it on weekly claims, 3) Keep documentation just in case, and 4) Make sure to maintain good health with proper nutrition. I'm definitely going to look into local centers now. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - it makes such a difference when you're trying to navigate unemployment and need every bit of help you can get!

Just wanted to add my experience - I've been donating plasma for about 3 months while on unemployment and it's been a lifesaver. The extra $300-400 per month has really helped with bills and groceries. What I found helpful was calling ahead to different centers to compare their compensation rates and new donor bonuses. Some places offer up to $100 for your first few donations. Also, if you have any medical conditions or take medications, make sure to ask about eligibility during the screening - they're pretty thorough about what disqualifies you. The actual donation process is pretty relaxing once you get used to it, and most centers have wifi so you can catch up on shows or job searching while you're there. Definitely recommend keeping a simple log of dates and amounts like others mentioned - I use a notes app on my phone. Good luck with your job search and hope this helps bridge the gap financially!

I've been in your exact situation and completely understand the stress! Here's what has worked perfectly for me over the past several months documenting Indeed applications for ESD: **My Documentation Format:** - Company Name: [Actual employer, not "Indeed"] - Position: [Exact job title from posting] - Contact Method: "Online application submitted via Indeed" - Contact Info: Indeed job URL + "Platform-based application - direct employer contact unavailable" - Date Applied: [Application submission date] **Additional Tips That Have Saved Me:** 1. Always grab a screenshot of the "Application Submitted" confirmation page - this provides timestamped proof 2. Save the Indeed job ID number (usually in the URL) as backup reference 3. If Indeed sends a confirmation email, save it in a dedicated folder 4. Take a quick screenshot of the job posting itself in case it gets removed later The reality is that ESD has adapted to modern job searching methods. I actually spoke with an ESD representative who confirmed they understand that most applications go through online platforms now where direct employer contact isn't provided. They care much more about seeing genuine job search effort than having every hiring manager's phone number. I've successfully used this approach for 6+ months without a single issue, including going through one job search review where they accepted all my documentation. Don't let this stress you out - you're clearly making good faith efforts to find work, which is exactly what they want to see!

I've been going through this exact same struggle! After months of figuring this out the hard way, here's my foolproof system that's never caused me any issues with ESD: **For Indeed Applications, I Document:** - Company: [Actual employer name from posting] - Position: [Exact job title] - Contact Method: "Applied via Indeed online portal" - Contact Info: Indeed job URL + "No direct employer contact available through platform" **My Process:** 1. Screenshot the job posting before applying (in case it disappears later) 2. Screenshot the "Application Submitted" confirmation page 3. Save any confirmation emails from Indeed 4. Note the Indeed job ID from the URL as backup **Key Insight:** I called ESD using one of those callback services (took about 20 minutes vs hours of busy signals) and the rep specifically told me they've updated their processes for online applications. They said "We know that's how people apply for jobs now - we just need to see you're making genuine efforts." I went through a job search audit last month and they accepted ALL my Indeed applications documented this way. The auditor even complimented me on how organized my documentation was! Don't stress about this - ESD understands that direct employer contact info often isn't available through job boards. Just be consistent and thorough with what information you DO have access to. You're clearly making good faith job search efforts, which is what really matters!

I'm currently on unemployment and have been hesitant to start any online training because I wasn't sure if it would count toward my job search requirements. This thread has been incredibly informative and has given me the confidence to move forward with a data analytics certification I've been considering. Based on everyone's experiences here, it seems like the key success factors are: - Choose courses from reputable platforms with certificates/badges - Document very specifically what you learned each session - Connect the skills directly to job requirements you're seeing - Save proof of completion for everything - Mix training with other job search activities One additional question for the group: Has anyone had experience using training courses that span multiple months? I'm looking at a 12-week data science bootcamp that would be perfect for transitioning into my target field, but I'm worried about using the same program as a job search activity over such a long period. Should I only count major project completions, or would weekly milestone achievements be appropriate to log as separate activities? Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community knowledge is invaluable when navigating ESD's requirements!

I just wanted to jump in and add my recent experience since I literally just completed a job search review last week where online training was a major part of my activities. I used a mix of Udemy courses and free Google certifications throughout my 4-month claim period, and ESD accepted ALL of them during review. The reviewer actually told me that training activities are becoming increasingly common and accepted because they show genuine effort to improve employability. Here's what made the difference in my case: - I treated each course module like a "mini job application" - documented specific skills gained and immediately updated my LinkedIn/resume to reflect new competencies - Created a simple tracking system: Date | Course/Module | Skills Gained | Jobs This Applies To | Proof Saved - Always connected learning to actual job postings I found that week The reviewer was especially impressed that I could show how my new skills directly led to better-qualified applications. For example, after completing a Google Analytics course, I applied to three digital marketing roles that specifically required GA experience - roles I wouldn't have been qualified for before. Your project management course sounds perfect for this approach. Just remember that ESD wants to see you're actively job searching, not just studying, so balance is key. But don't hesitate to use quality training as part of your strategy - it absolutely counts when done right!

Bottom line: single-member LLC with no employees = no Washington ESD unemployment taxes required on yourself. Once you hire someone, everything changes and you need to register immediately.

Just wanted to add another perspective - I'm an accountant who works with small businesses in Washington state. The answers here are correct: single-member LLCs don't need to pay unemployment taxes on themselves unless they elect coverage (which is rare). However, I always recommend keeping good records of your business structure and any elections you make, because if you ever do hire employees, Washington ESD will want to verify your prior status. Also remember that this only applies to unemployment insurance - you'll still need to handle other business registrations like your business license and potentially B&O tax depending on your revenue.

This is such valuable information! I'm saving this whole thread because I have a feeling I might need to reopen my claim in the future and now I know what to watch out for. It's ridiculous that ESD has these system sync issues but doesn't proactively notify people or fix them automatically. The fact that you had to pay a third-party service to get through to their own customer service really highlights how broken their phone system is. Thanks for sharing your experience and the specific solution - I'm sure this will help a lot of people who run into the same issue!

This is exactly the kind of comprehensive breakdown of the ESD system issues that people need to see! I work in IT support and deal with legacy system migrations regularly - what you experienced with the "system flag" preventing weekly claims filing is textbook synchronization failure between old and new databases. The fact that ESD doesn't have automated monitoring to catch and resolve these flags is honestly shocking for a system handling such critical benefits. For anyone else hitting this issue, document EVERYTHING - screenshots of your eServices dashboard showing no weekly claim option, call logs with dates/times, your approval letter date. If you do end up paying for a service like Claimyr, keep that receipt too since you're literally paying to access services you're entitled to because of their system failures. This thread is gold for anyone dealing with reopened claim issues!