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Just want to add that holds can also happen if Washington ESD is cross-referencing your claim with other state databases. Sometimes there are false matches that need to be cleared up manually.
UPDATE: I was able to get through to Washington ESD this morning using that Claimyr thing. Turns out my hold was because I reported working 3 hours last week but didn't report any earnings (I did volunteer work, not paid work). The agent fixed it right away and said my payment should process tonight. Thanks everyone for the help!
Perfect example of why it's important to be very specific when reporting work activities. Volunteer work should be reported differently than paid work.
The whole thing is stressful but manageable if you stay organized. Keep all your paperwork, be honest on your claims, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You'll get through this.
One more thing - if you end up needing to appeal anything with either workers comp or unemployment, don't wait. The deadlines are strict and you don't want to miss your chance to contest a decision.
My biggest advice is to file your claim as soon as possible after you lose your job. Don't wait thinking you might get called back or that you'll find something quickly. Benefits are retroactive to when you first became unemployed, but only if you file promptly.
Last thing - keep all your paperwork and documentation organized. Save emails from your employer about the layoff, keep copies of your application and any correspondence with ESD, and maintain your job search log. If any issues come up, having good documentation will make resolving them much easier.
Good luck! Remember, you've earned these benefits by working and paying into the system. Don't feel bad about using them when you need them.
One more thing - if you think ESD calculated your benefit amount incorrectly, you can appeal the determination. You have 30 days from when they mail you the decision.
NebulaNinja
The whole unemployment system is such a pain but you really have nothing to lose by filing. Even if you only get benefits for a few weeks while you find another job, that's better than nothing. And if you don't file, you definitely won't get anything.
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CosmicCaptain
•Very true! I'm going to get my application submitted today. Thanks everyone for all the help and advice!
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Javier Gomez
Just wanted to add that if you do end up needing to contact Washington ESD for any reason during your claim process, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier really does work. I used it when I had questions about my job search requirements and it saved me hours of frustration. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get things sorted out.
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CosmicCaptain
•I'll definitely keep that in mind if I run into any issues. Hopefully the process goes smoothly but it's good to know there are options if I need help.
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