Agreed! I was so worried for nothing. Glad I asked here instead of just panicking.

Same! I bookmarked this thread in case I ever need the info later.

Welcome to the community! I totally get that anxiety about missing filings - I think we all feel that way at first. This thread has been super reassuring for me too. One thing I learned from reading everyone's experiences is that setting up a routine really helps. I used to stress about it every week, but now I just file mine every Tuesday morning with my coffee and it's become second nature. The 4-week grace period is definitely a huge relief to know about as a safety net. Hope your unemployment journey goes smoothly!

Setting multiple reminders is definitely the way to go! I use both my phone and my calendar app to make sure I never miss it. Also, I learned from this thread that you can file anytime during the week (Sunday 6am to Saturday midnight), not just on Sunday like I originally thought. That flexibility makes it so much less stressful. The community here is really great for getting real-world advice that you just can't find on the official websites.

I'm also going through this process right now - filed my claim about 12 days ago after being laid off from my nonprofit job due to funding cuts. This entire thread has been incredibly reassuring! I was getting really stressed seeing all the conflicting information online about processing times, but hearing from people who've actually been through this makes such a difference. The advice about filing weekly claims even before approval is something I definitely wouldn't have figured out on my own. It's also really helpful to know that "under review" is just part of the normal verification process. The waiting is definitely anxiety-inducing, especially when bills are due, but reading everyone's experiences gives me hope that it will work out. Thanks for making this such a supportive community!

I'm also in this waiting period - just filed my claim 8 days ago after being laid off from my logistics job when the company restructured. This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I was really starting to panic after reading some horror stories online, but seeing so many real experiences from people who've successfully gotten through this process has been incredibly reassuring. The tip about filing weekly claims before approval is something I never would have known - I actually called ESD to ask about it after reading it here and they confirmed it's essential. It's also really comforting to understand that "under review" is just standard procedure, not a red flag. The uncertainty is definitely the hardest part, but this community has made me feel so much less alone in the process. Thanks everyone for sharing your stories and advice!

I'm in a really similar situation too! Filed my claim about 6 days ago after being laid off from my graphic design job when the agency lost a major client. This thread has been such a lifesaver - I was already starting to stress about how long it might take, especially after seeing some people mention waiting 2+ months. But reading everyone's real experiences has been so much more helpful than trying to navigate the confusing ESD website. The weekly claims tip is huge - I definitely would have missed that without this discussion. It's also really reassuring to know that "under review" is just standard verification, not a red flag. The waiting game is tough when you're worried about making ends meet, but hearing all these success stories gives me hope that it will work out. Thanks for sharing your story and helping build such a supportive community here!

I'm going through this exact same process right now! Filed my claim about a week ago after being laid off from my retail management position due to store closure. This entire discussion has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. I was starting to get really anxious about the "under review" status, but reading everyone's experiences has helped me understand it's just part of the normal verification process. The tip about filing weekly claims even before approval is something I never would have known otherwise - I almost waited thinking I needed approval first! It's really comforting to see so many people with straightforward layoffs getting approved within that 2-4 week timeframe. The uncertainty is definitely stressful, especially with bills coming up, but this community has given me so much more confidence in the process. Thanks for sharing your experience and helping create such a supportive space for all of us going through this!

Yes, exactly! You should report all 5 days as hours worked on your weekly claim. Vacation pay is treated the same way as holiday pay - it's considered earnings and hours that must be reported to ESD. The key thing to remember is that any time your employer pays you (whether you physically worked or not), it counts as both hours and earnings for unemployment purposes. So your 2 actual work days + 3 vacation days = 5 total hours/days to report. The audit story from @Anastasia really drives home why it's so important to report everything correctly from the start!

Thanks for sharing your experience! It's really reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same thing recently. That's a great way to think about it - "if my employer paid me for it, ESD needs to know about it." I'm definitely going to remember that rule going forward. I'm glad you were able to catch and correct the mistake before it became a bigger issue. The stress of potentially having to deal with overpayments is enough motivation for me to be extra careful about reporting everything correctly from the start!

This is really helpful advice, thank you. I think part of my stress is not understanding exactly what they think I did wrong. The letter has a bunch of dates and dollar amounts but doesn't clearly explain their reasoning. How do you request that detailed explanation you mentioned? Is that something you have to do formally or can you just ask when you call?

You can request a detailed explanation both formally and informally. When you call (if you can get through), just ask the agent to explain the specific reasons for the overpayment determination. You can also submit a written request through their online portal or by mail asking for a breakdown of how they calculated the overpayment and what specific weeks or issues triggered it. Sometimes the explanation is in the fine print of the documents they sent, but it's often buried in legal language that's hard to understand. Don't be afraid to ask them to explain it in plain English - you have every right to understand exactly what they're claiming before you decide whether to appeal or accept the determination.

I completely understand that sick feeling - I was in the same place when I got my overpayment notice. The uncertainty and financial stress is overwhelming, especially as a single parent. From reading through this thread, it sounds like many people have been able to get answers and resolve these situations, even when the initial letters are confusing. Since you can't get through by phone, you might want to consider that Claimyr service that several people mentioned - it seems to help bypass the phone system issues. Also, don't assume you actually owe the full amount until you can get someone to explain exactly what happened. Many overpayments get reduced or overturned entirely once people can actually talk to someone who understands their case. The 30-day appeal deadline is important to keep in mind too.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress as a single mom - that financial pressure must be incredibly overwhelming. One thing that might help while you're trying to get through to someone is to start gathering all your documentation from when you were claiming benefits. Even if the letter doesn't explain what went wrong, having your records organized will help when you do finally talk to someone. Look for your weekly claim confirmations, any correspondence from Washington ESD, job search logs, and documentation of your work separation. Sometimes what looks like a legitimate overpayment is actually an error or miscommunication that can be cleared up once the right person reviews your file. The fact that you were honest and followed the rules works in your favor. Try not to panic about the dollar amount until you understand what they think happened - many people in this thread have gotten their situations resolved or significantly reduced.

That's excellent advice about saving screenshots! I wish I had known that from the beginning. Do you know if there's a specific format they prefer for documentation or is just having the screenshots enough?

From my experience, screenshots are usually enough as long as they clearly show the date, company name, position, and that you submitted an application. I keep mine in a folder organized by week. Washington ESD doesn't seem to require any specific format - they just want to see proof that you actually did the job search activities you logged. The key is making sure the screenshot matches what you wrote in your job search log.

This template idea is fantastic! I've been keeping pretty basic records but having a consistent format like this would definitely help me stay more organized. The point about calling companies directly is really helpful too - I hadn't considered that phone inquiries could count as job search activities. Does anyone know if there's a minimum amount of time you need to spend on each activity for it to count, or is it more about the effort you put in regardless of how long it takes?