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This is such a stressful situation and you're definitely not alone - I'm new here but facing almost the exact same timeline with my benefits ending soon. What I've learned from reading through all these responses is that Washington state really doesn't make this process clear at all. The biggest takeaway for me is that there's no automatic safety net anymore since the pandemic programs ended. I'm planning to call Washington ESD directly (or maybe try that Claimyr service others mentioned) to get clarity on my specific situation, but it sounds like the key is starting backup plans NOW rather than waiting. I'm going to apply for SNAP this week and call 211 to find out what other local resources are available. It's scary but at least knowing what to expect helps me prepare instead of just hoping something will work out.
You're absolutely right about starting backup plans now - I wish I had known this information earlier! I'm also new here and in a similar boat with benefits ending in a few weeks. The lack of clear communication from Washington ESD about what happens after regular UI benefits is really frustrating. I've been reading through all these responses and taking notes on the action steps: calling 211, applying for SNAP, checking my benefit year end date vs remaining balance, and looking into temp work for partial benefits. It's overwhelming but better to know now than be caught completely off guard. Has anyone tried contacting their local representatives about how confusing this process is? It seems like there should be better guidance for people in our situation.
I'm new to this community but unfortunately facing the same situation - my benefits are ending in about 6 weeks and this thread has been both terrifying and incredibly helpful. I had no idea that the pandemic-era extensions were gone and that there's no automatic safety net anymore. Like many others here, I was just assuming something would kick in when my regular benefits ran out. Reading everyone's experiences has made me realize I need to start preparing NOW instead of waiting until the last minute. I'm going to call 211 tomorrow to get a list of local resources and start the SNAP application process this week. The suggestion about checking your benefit year end date versus remaining balance in SecureAccess is something I never would have thought of - definitely doing that tonight. It's scary how many people seem caught off guard by this system, but I'm grateful everyone is sharing their knowledge here. At least now I can start building backup plans instead of being blindsided when the time comes.
Welcome to the community, Millie! You're definitely in good company here - it's really striking how many of us are discovering this information at the same time. I'm also relatively new and was completely caught off guard by how the system actually works versus what I assumed. The fact that you're starting to prepare 6 weeks ahead puts you in a much better position than waiting until the last minute. One thing I've learned from reading through all these responses is that it's worth making a checklist of all the action items people have mentioned - 211 call, SNAP application, checking benefit dates, researching temp agencies, etc. It helps break down what feels like an overwhelming situation into manageable steps. The community here has been incredibly helpful in sharing real experiences rather than just official government information that can be hard to interpret.
I'm also new here and in almost the exact same situation - benefits ending in about 5 weeks. This whole thread has been a huge wake-up call for me too. I had been operating under the assumption that there would be some kind of automatic extension, so learning that the pandemic programs are completely gone is pretty shocking. What's really helping me is seeing how proactive everyone is being about creating backup plans. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about calling 211 and starting SNAP applications early. One thing I'm wondering about is whether it's worth reaching out to multiple temp agencies at once or if that might cause complications with reporting earnings? Also, has anyone had experience with how long the SNAP application process typically takes in Washington? I want to make sure I get everything started with enough time before my benefits actually end.
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Thanks everyone for all the detailed info! This thread has been way more helpful than anything I found on the official Washington ESD site. Feeling much more confident about taking on some freelance work now.
Glad it helped! Just remember to report everything accurately and you should be fine.
Same here! I'm going to move forward with that freelance opportunity. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain everything.
Just wanted to add something important that I learned the hard way - when you're doing freelance work, make sure you understand the difference between when you do the work vs when you invoice vs when you get paid. Washington ESD wants you to report income for the week you actually performed the work, even if you don't invoice until later or get paid weeks later. I made the mistake of reporting based on when I received payment and it caused some confusion with my claims. Keep detailed records of your work dates!
This is exactly what tripped me up when I first started freelancing while on unemployment! I was reporting everything based on when I got paid through PayPal or checks, not realizing it should be when I actually did the work. Had to go back and correct several weeks of claims. Pro tip: I started keeping a simple calendar where I mark down exactly what days I work and how much I earned each day, then I reference that when filing my weekly claims. Makes it so much easier to stay accurate.
This is so helpful to know! I was about to start some consulting work and would have definitely made this mistake. So if I work on a project Monday through Wednesday but don't send the invoice until Friday and don't get paid until the following Tuesday, I report that income for the week I did the actual work (Monday-Wednesday week), correct? Want to make sure I understand this properly before I start.
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I went through something similar about 6 months ago! Worked temp assignments for almost a year before filing for UI when work dried up. The key thing Washington ESD looks at is whether you were an actual employee (W-2) vs contractor (1099). Since you mentioned they took taxes out, you should be totally fine. I'd recommend filing sooner rather than later since there's usually a waiting period anyway. Also, don't stress too much about the application - the online system walks you through everything step by step.
@Harper Collins That s'super helpful! I m'definitely going to file tonight after reading everyone s'responses. Quick question - when you were doing your work search activities, did you focus mainly on temp agencies or did you apply to permanent positions too? I m'wondering what the best strategy is for meeting the search requirements while still being available for temp work.
@Harper Collins Thanks for sharing your experience! I m'curious about the timing - how long did it take for your claim to get approved? I m'worried about the gap between when my assignment ended and when benefits might start, especially with bills coming up. Also, did Washington ESD ask you for any additional documentation beyond the standard application, or was it pretty straightforward once they saw your W-2 employment history?
I'm in a very similar situation right now! Just had my temp assignment end last week and I've been hesitating to file because I wasn't sure if temp workers qualified. This thread is so helpful - I had no idea that working through a staffing agency still counted as regular employment for UI purposes. I think I've been overthinking this whole thing. My agency has been pretty upfront that they don't have anything immediately available, so it sounds like I should definitely apply rather than just waiting around hoping something opens up. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it's really encouraging to hear from people who've successfully filed after temp work!
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One last tip - if you're having trouble remembering to file every Sunday, set up calendar reminders or phone alarms. Missing even one week can cause delays and headaches you don't need when you're already dealing with unemployment stress.
Great advice - I'm setting up my reminder right now!
yes! consistency is key with the weekly claims
Just wanted to add - if you set up direct deposit, make sure your bank info is correct in your Washington ESD account before your first payment. I had a friend who had to wait an extra week because there was a typo in her account number. The weekly schedule is great once everything is set up properly, but small mistakes can cause delays you really don't want when you're counting on that money.
That's such an important point! I just double-checked my bank info in my account after reading this. Better safe than sorry when you're relying on those payments to cover rent and bills. Thanks for the heads up about potential delays from banking errors.
Destiny Bryant
I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! Been working remotely from my apartment in Vancouver, WA for a Colorado-based marketing agency for the past 14 months. They just informed me that my position is being eliminated due to budget cuts at the end of this month. This entire thread has been incredibly helpful - I was initially confused about whether to file in Colorado or Washington, but it's now crystal clear that I need to file with Washington ESD since that's where I physically work. The consistency in everyone's experiences is really reassuring. I'm particularly grateful for all the practical tips about having employment documentation ready and applying online first. It's amazing how this community comes together to help people navigate these stressful situations. Planning to file my claim as soon as my last day is official. Thanks everyone for sharing your stories and advice!
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Keisha Johnson
•@Destiny Bryant I m'so glad this thread has been helpful for you too! It s'unfortunate that so many of us are going through similar situations, but it s'really comforting to see how supportive this community is. Your situation sounds almost identical to what others have described - working remotely from Washington for an out-of-state company. The advice everyone has shared about filing with Washington ESD definitely applies to your case too. Vancouver is a great area with lots of remote work opportunities, so hopefully your job search goes smoothly once you get your unemployment sorted out. The fact that you have advance notice gives you a real advantage to get all your documentation organized ahead of time. Wishing you the best with your filing and job search!
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Dominic Green
I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago! I was working remotely from my home in Olympia for a tech company headquartered in North Carolina. When they laid me off, I was initially confused about where to file, but it's definitely Washington ESD since that's where you physically performed your work. The application process was actually pretty straightforward - I filed online and got approved within about 2 weeks. The key is having all your employment info ready: exact start/end dates, your employer's full legal name and address, and your wage information. Don't let the remote work aspect stress you out - Washington handles these cases all the time now. Since you mentioned you have bills to pay, I'd recommend filing ASAP since there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start. You've got this!
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Adaline Wong
•Thanks @Dominic Green! Your timeline is really helpful to know - 2 weeks for approval sounds reasonable. I appreciate the reminder about filing ASAP because of the waiting period. I was planning to wait until after my official last day but it sounds like I should get the process started right away. The part about having the employer's full legal name is a good point - I need to make sure I get that exactly right from HR. It's so reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same thing in Washington and had a smooth experience. Really takes the stress out of what seemed like a complicated situation!
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