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This thread was super helpful. I'm in a similar situation with a job starting in April. Going to file for Washington ESD benefits tomorrow.
Just to recap for anyone else in this situation: it's called frictional unemployment academically, but Washington ESD treats it as regular UI. Key things are documenting the job offer, the delay, and continuing to meet all eligibility requirements including job search.
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions! I'm going to try the Claimyr service that several people mentioned since I can't afford to keep wasting weeks on this. Will update if I finally get through to someone.
Bottom line: if you've worked consistently for over a year like the OP has, you almost certainly qualify. The edge cases are people who just started working or had very low wages.
Just to add one final tip - if you do get laid off, file your claim the same week. Don't wait thinking you might find another job quickly. You can always stop claiming if you find work, but you can't get benefits for weeks you didn't claim.
Luca Ferrari
And remember, if you do get stuck or need to reach Washington ESD for any reason, services like Claimyr can save you a lot of time and frustration. Sometimes it's worth paying a little to get actual help instead of spinning your wheels for hours.
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Andre Dubois
•I might have to look into that if I run into problems. The phone system sounds like a nightmare.
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Luca Ferrari
•It really is. I wasted so much time trying to get through on my own before I found Claimyr. Wish I had known about it sooner.
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CyberSamurai
One more thing - make sure you understand the job search requirements from the beginning. They vary depending on your situation but you need to be actively looking for work and documenting your efforts.
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NeonNinja
•How many jobs do I need to apply for each week?
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CyberSamurai
•It depends on your specific situation but generally you need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week. This could be applications, networking, interviews, etc.
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