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! 🙏

Been following this thread and it's been super helpful! I'm in a similar situation and was worried about taking a part-time job. Now I feel much more confident about it.

I'm so glad you asked this question! I was in the exact same boat a few months ago and was terrified of messing up my benefits. The key things I learned: 1) Always report ALL earnings, even if it's just a few dollars 2) The $5 disregard means you can earn up to $5 without any reduction in benefits 3) Keep detailed records of your hours and pay - I use a simple notebook to track everything 4) You still need to be available for full-time work and keep doing your job searches. The partial benefit system actually works pretty well once you understand it. Don't let fear of the unknown keep you from taking work - just be honest and accurate with your reporting!

Good luck with everything! Being laid off sucks but at least Washington has a decent unemployment system compared to some states. Just stay on top of your weekly filings and job search requirements and you should be fine.

One thing I'd add - make sure you file your initial claim as soon as possible after your layoff date. There's no benefit to waiting, and you can't get benefits for weeks before you file. I made that mistake when I first got laid off years ago and lost out on a week of benefits because I waited too long to apply. Also, keep all your layoff paperwork handy when you file - they'll ask for details about your last day of work, reason for separation, etc.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses! It sounds like voluntary retirement and unemployment benefits don't mix, but at least now I know what I'm dealing with. Time to explore other options for covering the gap until social security kicks in.

I'm in a similar boat - considering early retirement but worried about the income gap before I can access my 401k and social security. From what I've learned researching this, Washington ESD is pretty strict about the "involuntary separation" requirement. Even if you're burned out or have health concerns, if you choose to leave rather than being laid off or fired, it's still considered voluntary. One thing I've been looking into is whether there are any bridge insurance options through my employer that might help with healthcare costs during the gap years. That's often one of the biggest expenses people don't think about when planning early retirement.

Bottom line - file your claim ASAP and don't stress too much about the exact amount until you get your determination letter. The online calculator will give you a ballpark figure to work with.

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD by phone to ask questions about your benefit calculation, there's a service called Claimyr that can help. They actually connect you with real ESD agents without having to wait on hold for hours. You can check out their demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ to see how it works. I used them when I had questions about my base period wages and it saved me so much time and frustration compared to trying to call directly.