Just wanted to add my experience - I also got confused about this when I first started my PFMLA claim after knee surgery. The key thing that helped me was realizing that when you log into SAW, you'll actually see TWO different account options if you've used both systems: one for "Unemployment Services" and another for "Paid Family and Medical Leave." Make sure you click on the PFMLA one! Also, unlike unemployment where you have to file by a certain day of the week, PFMLA gives you more flexibility on when during the week you submit your certification. The whole process is definitely more user-friendly once you find the right place. Good luck with your recovery!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who made this exact same mistake! I spent weeks trying to figure out why I couldn't find my PFMLA claims in the regular unemployment system. The biggest thing that helped me was bookmarking the direct PFMLA portal link once I found it - it saves so much time not having to navigate through all the different SAW options. Also, if you're still recovering from surgery like I was, the PFMLA system is actually pretty forgiving if you're a day or two late with your weekly certification. Just make sure to catch up on any missed weeks as soon as you can. The whole process really is much simpler than unemployment once you get the hang of it. Wishing you a smooth recovery!

Alice, I'm so glad you found this community! Your situation sounds almost identical to what I went through last year. I was doing gig work through several apps when I got laid off from my main job and was told by HR that any "independent contractor income" would make me ineligible for unemployment. Turns out this is one of the most common pieces of misinformation people receive! I successfully got 5 months of back pay by filing online at esd.wa.gov and thoroughly documenting how I was misinformed. The key thing to remember is that Washington ESD looks at your primary job separation and overall work history - gig work doesn't automatically disqualify you. When you file, be very detailed in the backdating section about who told you what and when. Even if most of your conversations were verbal, write down everything you can remember with dates and names. I had similar documentation and they accepted it as proof I reasonably relied on bad advice. The adjudication process took about 4 months, which felt endless when waiting for money I desperately needed, but I eventually got a lump sum for all eligible weeks. Don't let the potential wait discourage you - employer misinformation about gig work eligibility is exactly the kind of "good cause" Washington ESD recognizes. File your claim tonight to get that filing date established, then focus on gathering any emails, texts, or notes about those conversations. You've got this!

Alice, I went through almost the exact same situation! I was doing DoorDash and freelance photography when I got laid off 6 months ago, and my former employer told me that having any "1099 income" would automatically disqualify me from unemployment benefits. This turned out to be completely false - Washington ESD actually evaluates your primary job separation and doesn't automatically exclude people with gig work. I successfully got back pay for all 6 months by filing online at esd.wa.gov and documenting the misinformation I received. The key is being thorough about who told you what and when, even if conversations were mostly verbal. I wrote down everything I could remember with names and dates, and ESD accepted this as proof I reasonably relied on bad advice from an authoritative source. The adjudication process took about 3.5 months, which felt like forever, but I received a lump sum for all eligible weeks plus federal supplements that were active during my benefit period. Don't let the potential wait time discourage you - employer misinformation about gig work eligibility is one of the strongest "good cause" reasons they recognize for backdating. File your initial claim tonight to establish your filing date, then focus on documenting those conversations where you were discouraged from applying. This community has been so helpful in sharing similar experiences - you're definitely not alone in dealing with this widespread misinformation!

Bottom line: expect roughly 50% of your average weekly wage up to the maximum benefit amount. With your income level you'll probably get close to the max. Just make sure you understand all the requirements to keep receiving benefits.

Based on all the helpful info shared here, it sounds like the calculation is more complex than just a simple percentage. From what I'm gathering, with your $4,200 monthly income, you'd likely be looking at somewhere in the $800-900 weekly range before taxes, assuming your base period quarters support that level. The key things to remember are: 1) It's based on your highest earning quarter from the past year, not your most recent pay, 2) You'll want to have tax withholding set up, and 3) Make sure you have all your employment documentation ready to avoid any delays. The system seems pretty unforgiving of mistakes, so taking time to get the application right the first time is crucial.

Bottom line: 26 weeks maximum in Washington state, no extensions currently available, and your benefit year lasts 52 weeks from when you first file. Plan accordingly and don't assume you'll find work before your benefits run out.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you can check your remaining benefit balance online through your eServices account on the Washington ESD website. It shows exactly how many weeks you have left and your total monetary entitlement remaining. Really helpful for planning purposes rather than trying to count weeks manually. You can also see your benefit year end date right there in your account summary.

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago and it was definitely stressful at first, but I wanted to reassure you that it does get resolved! A few additional tips from my experience: 1) When you call, try to call right at 8am when they open - you'll have the best chance of getting through quickly. 2) Take screenshots of your online ESD account if you can access it (or if one was created without your knowledge) as evidence. 3) Ask them to send you written confirmation via email that they've received your fraud report - this helps if you need to provide proof to your employer or bank later. The whole process took about 6 weeks for me from start to finish, and they were actually pretty good about keeping me updated once I got the initial report filed. You've got this!

I actually work for a tax preparation service and we see this identity theft situation with unemployment benefits quite frequently now. Just want to add a couple things that might help: 1) If you receive a 1099-G tax form next year showing unemployment income you didn't receive, there's a specific checkbox on your tax return to indicate this was fraudulent income - so don't panic about owing taxes on money you never got. 2) Consider signing up for an IRS Identity Protection PIN if you haven't already - it adds an extra layer of security for future tax filings. 3) Keep all documentation from this fraud case in a separate folder because you may need to reference it for a few years. The good news is that most legitimate identity theft cases like yours do get resolved, it's just a matter of being persistent with the follow-ups. Wishing you luck with the phone call tomorrow!