Quick update for anyone following this thread - I filed my claim yesterday and it went smoothly. There was a specific section asking about severance pay where I reported the lump sum amount. No red flags or issues so far. Hoping to get approved soon!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm potentially facing a layoff situation myself and was completely confused about how severance would interact with unemployment benefits. It's really reassuring to see so many people confirm that lump sum severance doesn't affect eligibility in Washington state. The fact that you still need to report it but it won't reduce your weekly benefits makes total sense. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's way more helpful than trying to decipher the official ESD website!

This thread has been really helpful. Shows how many people are dealing with the same concerns about benefits running out. At least we're not alone in this situation.

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago. The reality is harsh - once your 26 weeks are up, you're basically on your own unless Extended Benefits get triggered (which they won't with current unemployment rates). But here's what I learned: start preparing NOW, not in 3 weeks. Apply for SNAP, look into local rental assistance programs, and seriously consider any job that pays the bills while you keep searching for something better. I ended up taking a retail job that was way below my previous salary, but it kept me afloat and I was able to find something better 4 months later. The key is swallowing your pride and taking action before you're completely desperate.

This makes so much more sense now! I think what happened is when I applied for CAT in April, they asked about my class schedule since January, and I mentioned that I arranged my classes around potential work hours. Maybe they took that as me admitting I wasn't fully available? I'll definitely focus on proving I remained available for work the whole time.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and wanted to share what I've learned from my research. The key thing to understand is that ESD has been really aggressive lately about retroactively reviewing training benefit eligibility, especially for people who didn't apply for CAT status right away. From what I've gathered, your strongest argument is going to be demonstrating that you structured your class schedule specifically to remain available for full-time work. Evening and weekend classes are actually ideal for this argument because they show clear intent to accommodate employment. One thing that might help your case: if you can show you were actively job searching during January-April, that's strong evidence you remained available for work. Print out any job applications, emails with potential employers, or records from WorkSource if you used their services. Also, regarding the "refused to modify schedule" claim - this sounds like they might have misinterpreted something from your CAT application. Make sure you get a copy of exactly what you submitted in April so you can address any misunderstandings directly in your appeal. The $7,850 overpayment is definitely scary, but don't let that pressure you into not appealing. From what I've seen, people who can prove they remained available for work despite school enrollment often win these appeals. Document everything and stick to the facts about your availability during the contested period.

One last thing - if you do end up with an overpayment issue later because of how severance was handled, don't panic. You can usually work out a payment plan with Washington ESD or appeal if you think there was an error in how they calculated things.

I'm dealing with this same situation right now and it's so stressful! My company is giving me 3 months severance but I'm worried about how it'll affect my unemployment benefits. From reading all these responses, it sounds like I need to file my initial claim immediately and just be completely transparent about the severance payments when I do my weekly claims. Has anyone here actually had their severance payments result in zero unemployment benefits for certain weeks, or does Washington ESD usually still give you something even with severance income?

Just want to confirm for OP - 26 weeks is indeed the standard maximum in Washington for regular unemployment benefits. No extensions currently available, so plan accordingly. Good luck with your job search!

Just to add one more perspective - I was in a similar situation last year after getting laid off from a logistics job. The 26 weeks in Washington is pretty standard, but what really helped me was treating those first few weeks like a full-time job search. I set up a daily routine with applications, networking, and skill-building. Made it through 22 weeks before landing something. The key is starting strong right away - don't let the safety net make you complacent. Also, WorkSource has some decent resources for resume help and interview prep if you haven't checked them out yet.