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I was in a similar boat but found out I was actually misclassified as a 1099 when I should have been a W-2 employee. If your client controlled your hours, provided equipment, or treated you like an employee, you might have grounds for a misclassification claim.
Bottom line - apply anyway. I thought I wouldn't qualify because of weird employment situations but Washington ESD surprised me. The online application takes like 20 minutes and they'll tell you if you're eligible.
My sister had to wait almost 6 weeks because she forgot to verify her identity. Make sure you've completed all the steps in your account.
Has anyone tried using the WorkSource offices for advice on this kind of situation? I wonder if they have counselors who can help you think through the decision and understand your options.
Final thought - whatever you decide, keep taking care of your mental health through this process. Toxic work environments can really mess with your head, and the unemployment process can be stressful too. Don't hesitate to seek counseling or support.
My advice is to apply ASAP because even if you qualify, there's always a waiting week before benefits start. Plus if there are any issues to resolve, you want to get the process started as soon as possible.
For what it's worth, I think you have a decent chance of approval based on what you've described. 8 months of steady work shows good work history, and attendance issues without other misconduct factors usually don't disqualify people. Just be prepared for possible adjudication delays.
Mateo Gonzalez
Another thing - make sure you're available for work and actively seeking employment. If they have any doubt about your availability it can trigger a review that adds weeks to processing.
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GamerGirl99
•I'm definitely available and already started job searching. Should I document that somehow?
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Mateo Gonzalez
•Keep a job search log with company names, positions, dates you applied. You'll need it for your weekly claims anyway.
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Nia Williams
Bottom line for OP: file immediately, have all your paperwork ready, file weekly claims on time, and expect 2-4 weeks for a straightforward case. If it goes longer than that, start making noise.
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GamerGirl99
•Perfect summary, thank you! I'll file this weekend and keep my expectations realistic.
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Freya Andersen
•And don't hesitate to use tools like Claimyr if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD. Saved me weeks of frustration.
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