Have you tried reaching out to your local state representative? They can sometimes help push things along with EDD.

I went through the exact same thing! Got approved but waited 5 weeks for payments. Turns out there was a "flag" on my account that required manual review even though I was already approved. What finally worked was filing a complaint through the state's ombudsman office - got my payments within a week after that. Also make sure you're still certifying weekly even without payments, otherwise you'll lose those weeks. Don't give up!

Bottom line - workers comp and unemployment serve different purposes but you can potentially qualify for both in sequence. Workers comp covers you while you're injured and unable to work. Unemployment covers you when you're able to work but can't find a job. The transition point is when you're medically cleared but your employer can't accommodate your return. Just be honest, document everything, and be prepared for the adjudication process to take some time.

I went through something very similar about 18 months ago after a shoulder injury. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here is to make sure you understand the "waiting week" rules for Washington ESD. Even though you might be eligible for benefits, there's typically a one-week waiting period before payments start. Since you're transitioning from workers comp, this waiting week can feel especially long financially. Also, if you're still receiving any medical treatment related to your injury (like physical therapy), make sure that doesn't interfere with your availability for work requirements. Washington ESD will want to know your treatment schedule and how it might affect your ability to accept job offers. The key is showing you're genuinely available for full-time work within any medical restrictions you might have.

Just to follow up for anyone reading this thread in the future: The ID verification requirement when transitioning to Training Benefits is part of ESD's 2025 fraud prevention measures. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your claim - it's just an extra security step. After you complete the ID.me verification: 1. Allow 3-5 business days for processing 2. Continue filing your weekly claims as normal during this time 3. Keep checking your eServices account for status updates 4. Your claim should return to active status once verification is complete If it takes longer than a week after verification, then contact ESD directly as there might be another issue that needs attention.

That's great news about your claim moving to "processing" status! For anyone else going through this, I wanted to add that you can actually track the ID.me verification status separately on their website too. Sometimes it shows as "verified" there before it updates in your ESD account, which can give you peace of mind that it's working through the system. Also, if you're doing other job search activities or attending training classes while waiting for verification, make sure to keep documenting those in case ESD asks for records later. The verification delay doesn't change your other benefit requirements.

did you have to wait a long time for your hearing? i filed an appeal in early january and still haven't gotten a hearing date yet :

I'm so sorry you had to go through this ordeal, but congratulations on winning your appeal! I'm currently in a similar situation - ESD denied my benefits claiming I was fired for misconduct (which is completely false), and I'm considering whether to hire an attorney for my upcoming hearing. Reading about your experience is both encouraging and frustrating. It's great that you won, but it's absolutely infuriating that ESD can make blatant errors with zero accountability. The fact that you had to spend $1,750 to fix THEIR mistake with your wage calculations is ridiculous. Can I ask - do you think having the attorney made a significant difference in your case? I'm trying to decide if it's worth the cost or if I should try to represent myself. My case involves them mischaracterizing a workplace incident, so I'm not sure how complex the evidence presentation will be.

Quick question - if I start a new job but then get laid off again after a few months, can I file a new unemployment claim or do I have to wait until my original benefit year ends?

For anyone still confused about their specific situation, I'd really recommend talking to someone at Washington ESD directly. I know it's hard to get through by phone, but you can also send messages through your online account or try using one of those calling services people have mentioned.