If you have questions about your specific rate calculation, you really need to talk to someone at Washington ESD directly. The online account system doesn't give you enough detail to understand how they calculated everything.

As a new business owner myself, I found that Washington ESD's rate calculation becomes clearer once you understand the basic components. Your rate starts with a base percentage determined by your industry classification, then gets adjusted by your experience rating (which considers unemployment claims filed by your former employees), plus additional factors like the social cost component and any solvency surcharges. Since you've been operating for 3 years, you're likely transitioning from the standard new employer rate to your individualized experience rating. The key is that fewer claims against your account generally mean a lower rate over time.

Final thought - even if your application gets denied initially, you can appeal the decision if you think Washington ESD missed something about your work history or eligibility. Don't give up after the first response.

Just wanted to share my recent experience as another data point - I'm a freelance web developer and was surprised to discover I qualified for benefits because I had done some contract work through a staffing agency about 8 months ago. They had classified me as a W2 employee even though it was temporary project work. The key was that unemployment taxes were actually deducted from those paychecks. I almost didn't apply because I assumed being primarily self-employed would disqualify me, but I'm glad I did. The Washington ESD agent I spoke with said they see this situation fairly often with freelancers who have mixed income sources. So definitely worth applying even if you think you might not qualify!

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).