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word of advice - set up direct deposit right away. paper checks take forever and can get lost in the mail. learned that lesson the hard way
if you run into issues with your claim getting stuck in adjudication or need to talk to someone urgently, claimyr.com has been a lifesaver for me and others. they help you actually reach washington esd agents when the regular phone lines are jammed
The key thing is to apply even if you're not 100% sure you qualify. Let Washington ESD make the determination rather than self-disqualifying. The worst they can do is say no, but you might be surprised and actually qualify despite your concerns.
Thanks everyone for all the detailed info. I think I'm going to go ahead and apply and see what happens. The hostile work environment was pretty well documented in emails so hopefully that helps.
One more thing - if you do get disqualified, you can appeal the decision. You have 30 days from the date of the determination letter to file an appeal. Sometimes it's worth fighting if you believe the decision was wrong.
The appeals process is actually pretty straightforward. You can do it online through your eServices account or by phone. Just make sure you have all your documentation ready.
For anyone else reading this thread, the key thing is just to start filing as soon as you're approved. Don't overthink it - the questions are straightforward and you can always call if you make a mistake (though good luck getting through). The important thing is establishing the habit of filing every week.
One more Claimyr mention since people are asking about getting help - I used them when I had questions about reporting part-time work on my weekly claims. The Washington ESD agent they connected me with was really helpful and explained exactly how to report my hours. Definitely worth it if you need to talk to someone and can't get through the regular phone lines.
If you're still feeling uncertain, you could always try calling Washington ESD directly to confirm your claim status. I know the wait times can be brutal, but sometimes it's worth it for peace of mind. Or like others mentioned, there are services that can help you get connected faster.
I might try that Claimyr thing if I run into any issues. For now, it sounds like I'm doing everything correctly.
Bottom line - yes, you can still collect unemployment in Washington. The regular UI program never stopped, just the pandemic programs ended. Keep filing your weekly claims, do your job searches, and you should be fine. Don't overthink it!
Zoe Kyriakidou
one more tip - when you file make sure you use your most recent address and phone number. if esd needs to contact you and cant reach you it can delay your benefits. also check your account regularly for any requests for additional info
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GalaxyGuardian
•Good point, I just moved last month so I need to make sure I use my current address.
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Zoe Kyriakidou
•yeah and set up notifications if you can so you dont miss important messages from esd
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Jamal Brown
Final reminder for anyone still reading - Washington ESD benefits are meant to provide temporary financial assistance while you look for new work. The sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving that assistance. There's literally no benefit to waiting, only potential lost money and delayed support.
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Jamal Brown
•Excellent! Remember to file your first weekly claim this Sunday and keep up with the work search requirements. You've got this!
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Andre Laurent
•Congrats on getting it filed! If you need to talk to ESD about anything, definitely check out Claimyr instead of trying to call directly. Saved me so much frustration.
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