I'm going through almost the exact same situation! Applied for Training Benefits in mid-December for a healthcare administration program at Bellevue College and I'm still waiting at nearly 14 weeks now. My regular UI ran out 3 weeks ago and I've been living off savings and stress. A few things I've learned through this nightmare: 1. I finally got through using Claimyr after trying for weeks on my own - it really does work! Took about 45 minutes but I actually spoke to a human who could see my application status. 2. The ESD agent told me that December applications got caught in some kind of system backlog during their winter processing, which is why so many of us from that timeframe are still waiting. 3. She said to keep filing weekly claims even after regular benefits run out - apparently if/when TB gets approved, there can be retroactive payments back to when you started the program (as long as you kept filing). 4. My state rep's office (48th district) was actually really helpful - they have a constituent services person who specializes in ESD issues and she put in an inquiry for me. The restaurant job search while in school is absolutely brutal right now. I've had better luck applying for administrative assistant positions that explicitly mention "part-time" or "flexible schedule" - at least those feel more realistic given my class commitments. Hang in there - your program sounds like a great choice and culinary management is definitely growing. This system is broken but we'll get through it!

I'm also stuck in Training Benefits limbo! Applied in early January for a dental hygiene program and I'm at 9 weeks with nothing. It's reassuring (but also terrifying) to see so many others going through the exact same timeline delays. A couple things that have helped me stay somewhat sane while waiting: 1. I set up a separate savings account specifically for "emergency UI gap" funds early in my program - wish I'd done more, but even having $800 set aside has helped with the stress of potentially losing benefits. 2. Found a few weekend/evening medical receptionist positions that work around my clinical schedule - not great pay but something coming in while waiting for TB approval. 3. My program coordinator mentioned that several other students from our cohort are also waiting on TB approval from December/January applications, so it's definitely a systemic issue right now. The job search requirement is so frustrating when you're in healthcare training - most clinical positions want specific certifications I don't have yet, and the ones I could theoretically do want full weekday availability that conflicts with my program schedule. Going to try the Claimyr service this week based on all the positive feedback here. Dental hygiene is definitely in-demand so hopefully once they actually review my application it'll go through quickly. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread has been more helpful than anything I've found on ESD's actual website!

One thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned is that when you work those part-time hours, make sure your schedule still allows you to attend job interviews or accept full-time work if offered. Washington ESD can ask you to prove you're available for work, and if your part-time schedule conflicts with that availability, it could be a problem. I learned this when I had to turn down a job interview because it conflicted with my part-time shifts - thankfully it didn't affect my claim, but it was a wake-up call. Keep your part-time work flexible enough that you can still actively job search and be available for opportunities.

I've been working part-time while on unemployment for about 3 months now and wanted to share some practical tips. First, set up a simple spreadsheet to track your hours and earnings each week - it makes filling out the weekly claims so much easier and gives you backup documentation. Second, I'd recommend staying well under 32 hours per week, not just for the full-time threshold but because it gives you flexibility for job interviews and networking events. I usually aim for 20-25 hours max. Third, don't forget that your part-time work can actually help your job search - I've gotten several full-time job leads through my part-time employer's network. The key is treating the part-time work as a stepping stone, not a permanent solution. And yes, definitely report every penny you earn - Washington ESD will find out eventually through wage matching, so it's not worth the risk of being accused of fraud over a few unreported dollars.

Just want to add that if anyone else is in this situation, don't let anxiety stop you from making the call! I was terrified to report my late income change last year, but the DSHS worker I spoke with said they appreciate when people self-report rather than trying to hide it. They deal with these situations all the time and are generally understanding. The key is being honest about the timeline and showing that you're trying to do the right thing. Also, keep detailed notes of your call - date, time, worker's name, and what was discussed. This can be really helpful if there are any issues later.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! I was so stressed about it, but it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I waited about 3 weeks to report my unemployment benefits to DSHS and when I finally called, the caseworker was actually understanding. She explained that they see this all the time because people don't always realize UI counts as income that needs to be reported. They recalculated my EBT benefits going forward and I did have a small overpayment (around $180), but they let me pay it back gradually by reducing my monthly benefits by like $30 until it was paid off. The most important thing is that you're reporting it now rather than continuing to wait. Don't beat yourself up about it - just make the call and get it sorted out!

I'm dealing with the exact same identity verification nightmare! Been stuck for almost 3 weeks now with documents uploaded but no movement on my claim. Reading through all these responses is giving me some hope though - definitely going to try that direct ID verification number (360-486-2822) first thing tomorrow morning. The Claimyr service sounds interesting too, might be worth the cost if it actually works. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips, this community is literally the only place I've found actual helpful advice about navigating ESD's broken system!

Just want to add another option that worked for me - I contacted my state representative's office when I couldn't get through to ESD after 2+ weeks. They have a constituent services team that can actually get ESD to respond within 24-48 hours for urgent issues. You can find your rep at leg.wa.gov and most have a form specifically for unemployment issues. It felt weird at first reaching out to a politician, but their office was super helpful and professional about it. Within two days I had an ESD supervisor call me directly to resolve my claim. Sometimes you have to use every tool available when the normal channels aren't working!

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I feel much more confident about the move now. I'm going to try to get through to Washington ESD to confirm everything, and if I can't reach them I'll try that Claimyr service. Really appreciate all the help!

I went through this exact situation when I moved from Seattle to Portland in 2023 while collecting benefits. Here's what I learned: You absolutely can continue collecting Washington unemployment after moving out of state, but you need to be proactive about it. First, update your address in eServices immediately - don't wait. Second, make sure you understand that your job search requirements don't change just because you moved. You still need to complete 3 job search activities per week, but now they should be for positions in your new location where you can actually accept work. The key thing Washington ESD cares about is whether you're "able and available" for work. Moving to Oregon actually worked in my favor because there were more opportunities in my field than where I was living in Washington. I never had any issues with my benefits, but I was very careful to document everything and kept detailed records of all my job applications. One tip: if you do need to speak with someone at ESD about your specific situation, don't waste time trying to call during peak hours. The phone system is brutal, but getting clarity on your situation before you move is definitely worth the effort.