One more thing that might help - when you file your application, make sure to keep copies of everything you submit and write down your confirmation number. Washington ESD can sometimes have technical glitches or processing delays, so having your own records helps if you need to follow up. Also, once you're approved, set up direct deposit if possible - it's much faster than waiting for paper checks. Since you're filing for partial benefits, remember you'll need to report your weekly earnings every time you file your weekly claim, even if it's zero some weeks. The key is consistency in filing on time every week to avoid any payment delays. Sounds like you've got a solid plan to apply this weekend!

Since you're filing for partial unemployment due to reduced hours, one thing that might help is to document your typical work schedule before the cuts happened. Keep any texts, emails, or schedules from your manager showing what your hours used to be versus what they are now - this creates a clear record of the reduction. Also, when you file your weekly claims, you'll report your actual earnings for that week, and Washington will calculate your partial benefit based on your weekly benefit amount minus a portion of your earnings (they let you keep some of your wages without it affecting benefits). The system is really designed to encourage people to keep working even reduced hours rather than becoming fully unemployed. Given that you worked consistently for 8 months at retail and the hour cuts are due to business slowdown rather than performance, you should have no problem qualifying!

One more thing to consider - make sure your new employer knows you're currently on unemployment. Some companies want to coordinate start dates to help employees transition smoothly off benefits.

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago with Washington ESD. You're absolutely fine to continue claiming during the gap period - just be completely transparent on your weekly claims about accepting the offer and your availability status. I documented everything (offer letter, start date confirmation emails) and had zero issues. The key thing Washington ESD cares about is honesty, not penalizing people for normal employment transitions. Congrats on the job offer and don't stress about it!

One more important point that hasn't been mentioned: When you report freelance/self-employment income, you should report it for the week you PERFORM the work, not when you get paid (which is different from W-2 work where you report when paid). Also, regarding job search requirements: Yes, you must continue performing and documenting 3 job search activities each week, even during weeks you do freelance work, UNLESS you've been approved for standby status or commissioner-approved training. Freelance work by itself doesn't exempt you from job search requirements. And a final tip: If your freelance work becomes regular and ongoing, you might want to look into partial unemployment benefits. You can potentially receive partial benefits for a longer period rather than using up full weeks of benefits during periods of no work.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who did exactly this! I had a 3-week freelance project while collecting unemployment and it went smoothly. The key things that worked for me: 1) I kept filing weekly claims without interruption, 2) reported my gross freelance income for the exact weeks I worked (not when I got paid), 3) continued doing my 3 job searches each week even during work weeks, and 4) kept every email, invoice, and payment record. After the project ended, my regular benefits resumed automatically. Don't overthink it - just be thorough with reporting and documentation!

I'm new to this whole unemployment process and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I just filed my first claim last week and I'm already getting anxious about how the payment timing will work. From reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like I should expect 2-3 business days between when ESD shows "paid" and when funds actually appear on the ReliaCard for that first payment. The ReliaCard app sounds like a must-have for checking pending deposits - definitely downloading that before my first payment comes through. It's reassuring to know this waiting period is completely normal, even though I can already tell it's going to be stressful when I'm depending on that money. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world info you can't find on the official websites!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said here - the waiting period for that first payment is absolutely nerve-wracking, but it's completely normal! I went through the exact same thing about 8 months ago. ESD showed "paid" on a Tuesday, and I didn't see the money on my ReliaCard until Thursday evening. I was convinced something had gone wrong and spent those two days panicking and checking my balance constantly. What I learned is that "paid" in the ESD system really just means they've sent the payment instruction to US Bank - it's not actually in your account yet. The 48-72 hour delay is just how long the banking transfer takes, especially for first payments where there's extra verification happening. One thing that really helped my anxiety was setting up account alerts through the ReliaCard website so I'd get a text when the deposit actually posted. Way better than obsessively refreshing the app! Also, if you ever run into issues down the road, I found ReliaCard customer service to be much more helpful and easier to reach than ESD's phone lines. Glad to see from the later comments that your payment came through! For anyone else reading this thread with the same worry - hang in there, the system works even though the timing feels painfully slow when you need the money.

I'm new to unemployment benefits and just opened a Gesa account specifically because I heard they were good for direct deposits. This thread is so reassuring! I was worried about timing since I'm also dealing with rent deadlines. Quick question for the Gesa veterans here - does the deposit timing change at all if you're brand new to unemployment? Like, do they hold first-time deposits longer or anything like that? I just filed my first weekly claim on Sunday and ESD shows it as processed, but I want to make sure I have realistic expectations for when it might hit my account. Also, is there any difference between using Gesa's mobile app vs online banking for checking deposits? I want to make sure I'm not missing anything!

I've been on unemployment with Gesa for about 6 months and can confirm what everyone else is saying - Wednesday nights between 10pm-midnight is the norm! I file Sunday evenings and it's been incredibly consistent. One thing I'll add that might help with your rent situation: I started using Gesa's "account alerts" feature where they text me the instant any deposit over $100 hits my account. That way I know immediately when my benefits arrive instead of checking obsessively. You can set this up in their mobile app under notifications. Also, for what it's worth, I've found that if I file my weekly claim before noon on Sunday, it seems to process slightly faster than when I file Sunday night. Might just be coincidence, but the earlier filing seems to keep everything on the most predictable schedule. For your landlord, I'd definitely say Thursday morning to be safe, but realistically you should have the funds Wednesday night. The consistency has been one of the few reliable things about this whole unemployment process!