Bookmarking this thread for future reference. And that Claimyr service sounds useful - I'm going to check out their demo video.

I'm dealing with the same issue right now - my payment was supposed to come yesterday but still nothing. Reading through all these comments is really reassuring though. It sounds like Washington ESD is just having system delays this week and everyone's payments are slowly coming through. I'll keep checking my account and wait until Monday before getting too worried. Thanks for starting this thread - it's so helpful to know we're not alone in this!

For anyone dealing with this now, I recommend creating a spreadsheet with all the information you can remember about your job searches. List the company, position, date, application method, and any contact info you have. Then start gathering whatever documentation still exists. During my audit, having this organized information made a big difference, even for the few cases where I couldn't find the original confirmation. Also, don't panic if you get an audit notice - respond promptly and work with them. They're mainly looking for people who completely fabricated job searches, not honest mistakes in record-keeping.

This thread is really eye-opening and terrifying at the same time. I had no idea about the 6-year audit window! I was unemployed for about 3 months in early 2023 and definitely didn't keep detailed records after finding my current job. Reading about people having to pay back thousands has me seriously stressed. I'm going to follow Justin's advice and start creating a spreadsheet this weekend with whatever I can remember, then dig through my old email accounts and job board profiles to see what documentation I can still find. Better to be prepared now than scrambling if I get an audit notice. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world info you can't find anywhere else.

For anyone still reading this thread - I used Claimyr to talk to Washington ESD about mixed 1099/W-2 situations and they were really helpful in explaining how the benefit calculation works with different types of income. Definitely worth using if you're confused about your eligibility.

Just wanted to share that I was in a similar situation a few months ago. I had been doing 1099 graphic design work but also had some part-time W-2 income from a retail job. The key thing I learned is that Washington ESD looks at your "base period" which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. If you have ANY W-2 wages during that time that meet their minimum requirements, you might qualify even if most of your income was from contractor work. The W-2 wages have to be from employers who paid into the unemployment insurance system though. Definitely worth digging through your records to see if you had any employee wages during your base period!

I feel your pain! I went through the exact same nightmare last year - couldn't get through on the phone for WEEKS and my claim was stuck in limbo. What finally worked for me was a combination of things: 1) I called exactly at 7:58 AM on Tuesday mornings (2 minutes before they officially open) and stayed on hold no matter what, 2) I sent a secure message through eServices every single day documenting my attempts to reach them, and 3) I contacted my state senator's office after 4 weeks with no resolution. The legislative contact was what really got things moving - I got a callback from an ESD supervisor within 48 hours. Don't give up! Also, keep detailed records of every call attempt with dates and times - ESD supervisors can see this data and it helps your case when you finally get through to someone with authority.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Been trying to reach them for 2 weeks about a payment issue and it's beyond frustrating. Based on what everyone's saying here, I think I'm going to try a few different approaches: 1) The early morning calling strategy that @Zoe Walker mentioned sounds promising, 2) Contact my state representative since multiple people have had success with that route, and 3) Maybe look into that Claimyr service if I get really desperate. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to become detectives just to get help with our own unemployment claims! The system is clearly broken when this many people are having the same experience. Thanks everyone for sharing what's worked (and what hasn't) - at least we're not suffering alone in this bureaucratic nightmare!

I'm just starting my Training Benefits application process for a cybersecurity analyst program and this entire thread has been incredibly valuable! Reading about everyone's experiences - both the successes and challenges - is helping me prepare much better than I could have on my own. A few things I'm taking away that I want to make sure I do right from the start: 1. Get WorkSource to review my documentation before submitting (Hunter's tip) 2. Include multiple sources of local labor market data, not just statewide (Christopher's advice) 3. Get my training provider to write a detailed letter addressing all ESD criteria 4. Keep meticulous records of job search activities during waiting period I'm still nervous about the financial aspect - already been unemployed for 8 weeks and savings are getting tight. But seeing so many success stories with backpay is encouraging. The 4-6 week timeline everyone mentioned is daunting but at least I know what to expect. Carmen, really hoping your Security+ application gets approved soon! That certification is exactly what employers are looking for right now. And to everyone else waiting - this thread shows we're definitely not alone in this stressful process. I'll come back and share my experience once I get through it. Thanks everyone for being so generous with advice and support!

I'm about to start my Training Benefits application for a network security bootcamp and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! As someone who's been out of work for 6 weeks now, the financial pressure is mounting but reading all these detailed experiences gives me so much more confidence about the process. The checklist approach Chloe mentioned is brilliant - I'm definitely going to compile all the advice here before submitting. The WorkSource documentation review, multiple local labor market sources, detailed provider letters, and keeping detailed job search records all seem like critical success factors based on everyone's experiences. What really stands out to me is how consistent the 4-6 week timeline has been across different programs and time periods. That helps set realistic expectations even though waiting that long while money gets tight will be stressful. The backpay success stories are keeping me motivated though! I'm particularly encouraged by how many people have gotten approved for cybersecurity-related training. With all the ransomware attacks and data breaches in the news lately, it seems like security skills are desperately needed everywhere. Network security feels like a natural fit for the current job market. Carmen and everyone else still waiting - really hoping you all get approval letters soon! I'll definitely update this thread with my experience once I get through the process. Thank you all for being so generous with detailed advice and honest about both the challenges and successes!