This thread has been a lifesaver! I'm in a similar situation with unreliable internet and was stressing about both the video requirements and phone filing. One thing I wanted to add - if you're like me and tend to procrastinate on the weekly claims, don't wait until Sunday night to use the phone system. I made that mistake once and the system seemed much slower, probably because everyone else had the same last-minute idea. Filing mid-week when you can has been much smoother for me. Also, for anyone worried about the WorkSource videos being "boring" (as someone mentioned earlier) - I actually found some of the interview prep ones genuinely helpful. The "Behavioral Interview Techniques" video gave me strategies I hadn't heard before, and I ended up using them in a real interview last week. So even if they feel like busy work, some actually have practical value beyond just meeting the job search requirements. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this is the kind of real-world advice you can't find in the official documentation!

Just wanted to jump in and say this thread is incredible! I've been dreading having to figure out both of these things, but you all have made it so much clearer. One quick question - for those who have used the WorkSource videos regularly, do they ever repeat the same content or do they rotate in completely new videos? I'm wondering if I should pace myself or if there's always fresh content to choose from each week. Also, has anyone had issues with the phone system not recognizing their PIN? I'm worried about getting locked out if I misremember it since I usually just have it saved in my browser for online filing. Thanks again everyone - this is hands down the most helpful unemployment thread I've ever found!

Just wanted to add - if your part-time job ever increases to full-time hours or you start earning more than your weekly benefit amount plus the disregard, that's when you would stop filing weekly claims. But keep documentation in case the job ends and you need to reopen your claim.

Congratulations on the new job! You're asking all the right questions. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like you have a solid understanding now - report the work for the weeks you actually work (not when hired or paid), use gross wages, keep filing your weekly claims, and maintain your job search activities since it's part-time. With 25 hours/week you should definitely still qualify for partial benefits. The Washington ESD system seems pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. Best of luck with the new position!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this process about 6 months ago after being laid off from my warehouse job. The job search requirements definitely seem overwhelming at first, but you'll get the hang of it quickly! A few additional tips that helped me: - Set up job alerts on Indeed, LinkedIn, and company websites - when you respond to these alerts, make sure to note the source in your log - Don't forget that updating your resume or LinkedIn profile can count as a job search activity (but don't overuse this one) - If you have any professional certifications or licenses that need renewal, working on those can sometimes count too The WorkSource workshops are honestly a game-changer. I did their "Interviewing Skills" workshop and it helped me land my current position. They also have one-on-one career counseling sessions that count toward your weekly requirements. One thing I learned the hard way - always save confirmation emails and take screenshots of online applications. I had one company's website crash right after I submitted an application and almost lost that documentation. Now I screenshot everything immediately after hitting submit. You're being smart by asking these questions upfront. Better to be over-prepared than scrambling later!

I'm in a similar situation - got laid off from my tech job two weeks ago and just filed my first unemployment claim. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add is that I found out you can also count attending virtual job fairs as a job search activity. I attended one last week through EventBrite and made sure to save my registration confirmation and take screenshots of the companies I spoke with. Also, for anyone else who's new to this - I discovered that some community colleges offer free career workshops that count toward your job search requirements too. I signed up for a "LinkedIn Optimization" workshop at my local college that's specifically designed for unemployed folks. @Sophia Carter - you mentioned you're in manufacturing. I saw that WorkSource has sector-specific events coming up. There's a "Manufacturing & Logistics Career Fair" next month that might be worth checking out. It's listed on their events calendar. The documentation tips everyone shared are spot on. I created a shared Google Drive folder with all my screenshots, confirmation emails, and job search log so I can access it from anywhere. Better safe than sorry with these audits!

As someone who's helped several friends navigate both PFML and workers' comp claims, I want to emphasize what others have said about the workers' comp coordination. Since this was a construction accident, your partner should definitely file a workers' comp claim with L&I if he hasn't already. In Washington, workplace injuries are typically covered by workers' comp first, and it usually provides better benefits than PFML. However, don't stop the PFML process you've already started! Sometimes there are gaps in coverage or timing issues where PFML can bridge benefits while workers' comp is being processed. Both programs have their own weekly certification requirements, so you'll want to stay on top of both if you end up filing with L&I too. One thing to watch out for - if workers' comp approves the claim, they may require you to pay back any PFML benefits received for the same period. But it's better to have some income coming in while everything gets sorted out rather than having no benefits at all. The key is being transparent with both agencies about the other claim. They deal with coordination all the time, so don't try to hide one from the other - that's where people get into trouble.

I went through this exact situation last year after a workplace injury. Definitely file both PFML and workers' comp claims - you're absolutely right to pursue both routes! One thing I learned is that L&I workers' comp claims can take even longer to process than PFML (sometimes 4-6 weeks), so having the PFML claim already in progress is smart. When I filed both, L&I eventually covered most of my benefits, but PFML filled in the gap during those first few weeks while L&I was still reviewing my case. Just make sure when you file the L&I claim, you mention that you've already filed PFML for the same injury. They have a specific form (I think it's called a "coordination of benefits" form) that helps them track overlapping claims. The claims adjusters from both agencies actually communicate with each other to sort out who pays what. Also, workers' comp typically covers more than just wage replacement - it can cover medical expenses, vocational rehabilitation if needed, and sometimes has better long-term disability coverage. So even if PFML gets approved first, the L&I claim is still worth pursuing for the additional benefits. Keep doing those weekly certifications for PFML while you get the L&I paperwork together. You're handling this exactly right!

This whole thread has been really informative. I'm in a similar situation with freelance work plus some W-2 income, so I'm going to look into filing too. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and knowledge!

I've been following this discussion and wanted to add that Washington State also has some vocational rehabilitation services that might be worth looking into while you're navigating the unemployment system. If your consulting business has been struggling due to economic changes in your industry, WorkSource offices sometimes have retraining programs or career transition assistance that could help you pivot or enhance your skills. These services are separate from UI benefits but could complement whatever assistance you're able to get. It might be worth scheduling an appointment with a WorkSource counselor to discuss your options - they can often provide a more comprehensive view of available resources beyond just unemployment insurance.