Thread summary for anyone scrolling: You can't check someone else's UI status directly, but you can report suspected fraud through Washington ESD's online portal or phone line. Make sure you have real evidence, not just suspicions. And if you need to actually talk to Washington ESD, apparently claimyr.com is the way to go since their phones are impossible.

Just wanted to add that if you do decide to report suspected fraud, keep in mind that Washington ESD investigators are pretty thorough. They'll cross-reference employment records, tax filings, and other data sources to verify claims. So if your ex-partner is legitimately reporting his side work income while collecting partial benefits (which is allowed), the investigation will show that. The system is designed to catch both unreported income AND to protect people who are following the rules correctly.

Thanks everyone for all the advice and information. This has been really helpful and honestly makes me feel less alone in this situation. I'm going to start applying for assistance programs this week and reach out to some of the resources mentioned. Hopefully I'll find something before my benefits run out but at least now I have backup plans.

Hey Malik, I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago and I know how scary it feels. One thing that really helped me was contacting 211 (just dial 2-1-1) - they have a database of local resources and can help you find assistance programs in your specific area that you might not know about. They helped me find a local nonprofit that had emergency utility assistance and even some job placement services. Also, if you're struggling with food costs, don't overlook the food banks - many of them also have connections to other community resources and job opportunities. The key is to start reaching out now while you still have those 3 weeks of benefits coming in. You're not alone in this and there are more resources available than you might realize.

Bottom line: no waiting period in Washington, file immediately, be honest on your application, and start doing your job search activities right away. Most claims go through without issues if you follow the rules and report everything correctly.

Hey Cameron! I just went through this same situation a few months ago. You're getting some conflicting info in the comments, so let me clarify - Washington State eliminated the one-week waiting period back in 2019. You can file your initial claim right away and start collecting benefits from your first week of unemployment if you're approved. Don't wait! File today and make sure to also file your weekly claim for the week you became unemployed. The sooner you get everything submitted, the sooner you'll see your first payment (usually takes about 10 days after filing if there are no issues with your claim).

Don't give up! I know it's incredibly frustrating but most active issues do eventually get resolved. The system is slow and communication is terrible, but keep filing your weekly claims and keep trying to get through to someone who can give you specifics about your case.

I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim 3 weeks ago and it's been showing "active issues" ever since with zero explanation. I've tried calling dozens of times but can never get through. The most frustrating part is not knowing if it's something simple I could fix myself or if it's completely out of my hands. I'm going to try some of the suggestions here like checking at different times of day and looking more carefully through all the message sections. Really hoping this gets resolved soon because I'm running out of savings.

To summarize for the OP: Yes, you can collect unemployment if you're laid off. File immediately online at Washington ESD's website, be ready to do weekly claims, keep track of your job search activities, and don't be discouraged if you have trouble reaching them by phone - it's a common problem but there are workarounds.

One more thing to keep in mind - if you do get laid off, try to get written documentation from your employer about the reason for termination. Sometimes Washington ESD will contact your former employer to verify the circumstances, and having that paperwork can help avoid any confusion or delays in processing your claim. Also, if your company offers COBRA health insurance continuation, you'll need to decide on that pretty quickly since you typically only have 60 days to elect coverage.