


Ask the community...
Make sure you keep records of all your retraining activities and job search efforts. If Washington ESD ever questions your claim you'll want documentation showing you understood the industry shift and were actively adapting.
thanks for posting this - I'm dealing with something similar in the hospitality industry. Good to know other people understand that sometimes whole job categories just go away
The $999 maximum is pretty generous compared to other states, but remember it's only temporary. Use the time wisely to really focus on your job search and maybe pick up some new skills if you can.
Training and education can count toward your work search requirements in some cases, but you'd need to get approval from Washington ESD first. It's called 'Training Benefits' and has specific requirements.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! This thread has been really informative. I feel much more prepared to file my claim now and know what to expect with the benefit amount.
One final tip - keep checking your eServices account regularly for any correspondence from Washington ESD. They might request additional information or documentation, and you usually have a limited time to respond. Missing these requests can delay or deny your benefits.
The benefit amount also affects how long you can collect. Higher earners might get more per week but everyone gets the same number of weeks typically.
Thanks everyone for the info! This gives me a much better idea of what to expect. Sounds like I should be able to get around $500-600 per week based on my earnings history.
NebulaNinja
My advice is to be patient but persistent. Set reminders to check your account regularly, respond to any requests immediately, and keep detailed records of everything. The waiting is the hardest part but most people do eventually get approved.
0 coins
Giovanni Rossi
•Good advice about keeping records. I've been screenshotting everything just in case.
0 coins
Javier Gomez
One last thing - if you do end up needing to call Washington ESD for any reason, try calling right when they open or during lunch hours. Those seem to be the least busy times, though it's still challenging to get through.
0 coins
Giovanni Rossi
•Thanks for the timing tip! I'll keep that in mind if I need to call.
0 coins
Emma Wilson
•I've had better luck with the callback feature than sitting on hold, but even that can take days sometimes.
0 coins