I'm going through this nightmare right now too! Got flagged for "able and available" for the last week of February. What's driving me crazy is that I was literally sitting by my phone every day hoping someone would call for an interview, and now they want me to PROVE I was ready to work? Based on what everyone's saying here, I'm putting together a statement that covers: - Exact hours I was available (I'm doing 6 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week) - Transportation details (my 2018 Honda Accord with valid license and insurance) - No medical issues, no travel, no other commitments - Reference to my work search log showing I applied to 8 jobs that week The thing that really gets me is how they make it sound like you did something wrong when really they're just doing random audits. I've been unemployed for 3 months and have applied to over 100 jobs - if that doesn't show I'm "available" I don't know what does! Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences. At least now I know this is normal ESD bureaucracy and not just them picking on me specifically. Going to submit my documentation tomorrow and keep my fingers crossed.

I just went through this exact situation two months ago and totally understand your frustration! The "able and available" review is actually pretty routine - they randomly audit claims to ensure compliance with federal requirements. Here's what worked for me: I wrote a detailed statement covering the specific weeks they questioned, including: - My exact availability hours (I put 7 AM to 8 PM, Monday-Saturday) - Transportation details (reliable vehicle with valid license) - Confirmation I had no medical restrictions, wasn't traveling, no school conflicts - Referenced my work search activities during those specific weeks The key is being very specific about the time period they're questioning. Don't just say "I was available" - give them concrete details about HOW you were available. I submitted it through the eServices portal under "Upload Document" and selected "Able and Available Issue." Got approved within 8 business days without needing to call. Your job search log showing 5 applications per week is actually great supporting evidence - make sure to reference that in your statement since it demonstrates you were actively seeking work during the questioned period. Hang in there, this usually resolves pretty quickly once you submit the documentation!

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now - claim approved over 2 weeks ago, weekly claims filed and showing as processed, but absolutely zero payments have come through. It's terrifying when you're counting on this money for rent and groceries. What's really getting to me is the complete lack of transparency - there's no way to see what's actually holding things up in the system. I've been reading through all these comments and it sounds like there are often hidden verification issues or system glitches that only agents can see and fix. The problem is actually reaching one of those agents! I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and try that Claimyr service everyone keeps mentioning, even though it shouldn't come to that. Has anyone who used it been able to get their payments released quickly once they got through to an agent? I'm hoping it's just a simple fix that takes minutes like some people described, because I can't keep waiting much longer.

I'm a newcomer here but dealing with the exact same issue - my Washington ESD claim was approved 3 weeks ago and I've been filing weekly claims consistently, but haven't received a single payment yet. Reading through all these comments, it's both reassuring and frustrating to see I'm not alone in this. The pattern seems clear - approved claims but payments stuck somewhere in the system with no visibility into what's actually wrong. I've also tried calling Washington ESD countless times with no success getting through to anyone. Based on what multiple people here have shared about Claimyr actually helping them connect with agents who could resolve these payment delays quickly, I think I'm going to have to try that route too. It's ridiculous that we have to resort to third-party services just to access benefits we're entitled to, but when rent is due and you're running out of options, you do what you have to do. Has anyone who used Claimyr been able to get retroactive payments for all the weeks that were held up, or do you lose those payments while the issue was unresolved?

I'm currently going through this same exact situation - filed my unemployment claim 9 days ago and it's been sitting in adjudication status the whole time. My former employer hasn't responded yet either, which is typical for them since they're always slow with any kind of paperwork or official correspondence. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been really reassuring though! I had no idea that the 10-day response period starts when ESD actually mails the notice to the employer, not from when we file our claims. That definitely explains why it might take longer than expected. I've been making sure to file my weekly claims every Sunday even though I'm not receiving any payments yet - glad to see others confirming that's the right approach. The financial stress is definitely mounting, but it's helpful to hear from people who went through similar delays and eventually got approved. Fingers crossed mine processes soon! Thanks for asking this question - it's exactly what I needed to see today.

I'm dealing with the exact same frustrating situation right now! Filed my claim 12 days ago and it's been stuck in adjudication this whole time. My former employer is a larger corporation but they have a history of being slow to respond to government requests, so I'm not surprised they haven't gotten back to Washington ESD yet. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful and reassuring - I had no idea about the nuances like the 10-day clock starting when ESD mails the notice rather than when we file. I've been diligently filing my weekly claims every Sunday as recommended, even though seeing that $0 payment amount each week is disheartening. The financial pressure is definitely building up, but it's comforting to know from everyone's experiences that most claims do eventually get approved, just not always within the timeframe we hope for. I might look into that Claimyr service if things don't move forward in the next few days. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories - it really helps to know we're not alone in this waiting game!

Bottom line - be honest about all final payments from your employer, keep good records, and don't be discouraged if you have a waiting period. Your benefits will start eventually and you can usually get through the process if you stay on top of your weekly filings.

This is such valuable information! I'm in a similar situation where I received 3 weeks of pay in lieu of notice and was completely confused about how to report it. Reading through everyone's experiences really helps clarify that I need to be upfront about it even though it might delay my benefits. It's frustrating that the system works this way, but at least now I understand the logic behind it. Going to make sure I have all my documentation ready before I complete my application. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

I'm about 6 weeks into my unemployment claim after being laid off from a project management role, and like many others here, I just discovered SEAP exists through this thread! I've been considering starting a business coaching consultancy, but clearly missed the window for the "likely to exhaust benefits" designation. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both inspiring and educational. It's interesting how many of us are in similar boats - wanting to use this unemployment period to pivot toward entrepreneurship but running into the SEAP eligibility barriers. For those successfully building businesses while on regular unemployment, I'm curious about one practical aspect: how do you handle the "available for work" requirement when you're actively trying to build a client base? I'm worried about potential conflicts if I'm in client meetings during business hours but then get called for job interviews. Has ESD given anyone grief about this, or do they generally understand that networking and business development can happen alongside job searching? Also, based on all the positive feedback about the entrepreneurship training programs, I'm seriously considering enrolling in one independently. Even without SEAP benefits, it sounds like the structured approach and business planning guidance could be worth the investment. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - this thread is turning into an amazing resource for people navigating unemployment while pursuing business goals!

I'm about 10 weeks into my claim after being laid off from a UX design role, and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! Like many others here, I completely missed the SEAP opportunity (never even knew it existed until reading this), but I've been successfully building my freelance design business while meeting the regular unemployment requirements. A few practical tips I've learned for balancing business development with job search requirements: 1. I treat industry meetups and design conferences as networking for BOTH potential clients AND potential employment - they count toward job search activities while building my business network 2. I schedule most client calls during lunch hours or after 5pm to avoid conflicts with potential interviews 3. I'm upfront with potential clients that I'm currently between positions but actively building my practice - most people respect the hustle The hardest part honestly has been the mental shift from "looking for a job" to "building a business" while still having to apply for positions I don't really want. But reading everyone's experiences here has been so encouraging! @Elijah Knight - I'd love to hear how your SEAP application turned out! And for those considering the SCORE training independently, I actually did their free business mentoring program and it was surprisingly helpful even without the paid course. Might be worth exploring as a lower-cost starting point. This thread should honestly be pinned - it's become the most comprehensive resource I've found on navigating unemployment while pursuing entrepreneurship in Washington!