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Quick summary for you: 1) File your initial claim ASAP 2) Register with WorkSource 3) File weekly claims every week 4) Do 3 job search activities per week 5) Report any income. That covers the basics.
I had a friend who used that Claimyr service when she was having trouble reaching Washington ESD about her eligibility questions. She said it was super easy and finally got her answers about her claim status. Might be worth trying if you run into issues.
To summarize for the OP: You likely can't apply while on approved leave, but if your position is eliminated, you can apply once you're medically cleared to return to work. Document everything, look into PFML as an alternative, and be prepared to show you're actively seeking work once you do apply for UI benefits.
The most important thing is to file your initial claim as soon as possible after your last day of work. Benefits are not retroactive, so every week you wait is money you're losing. Even if you're not sure about some of the information, file the claim and correct it later if needed.
One last thing - if you do end up needing to call Washington ESD for any reason, try calling right when they open at 8 AM or during lunch hours. Those are usually the best times to get through, though it's still pretty hit or miss.
Been there with the waiting week anxiety. It's nerve-wracking when you're already stressed about money. But once that first payment comes through, the relief is huge.
Final thought - if your payment doesn't show up by Friday, that's when I'd start to worry and maybe contact Washington ESD. But based on what you've described, everything sounds normal.
And remember Claimyr is always an option if you need to reach Washington ESD quickly. Much easier than the regular phone maze.
Demi Lagos
If all else fails and you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD, I've heard that Claimyr service mentioned here actually works. My cousin used it when her claim got stuck in adjudication and she finally got answers.
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Khalid Howes
•Three people have mentioned Claimyr now. Must actually work if people keep recommending it.
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Mason Lopez
•Yeah I'm seeing it mentioned more and more on these forums. Might be worth trying if the regular phone lines aren't working.
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Vera Visnjic
UPDATE: My claim finally processed this morning! Took 5 business days total but the payment went through. Thanks everyone for the reassurance that this is normal.
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Cynthia Love
•Glad it worked out! Five days is pretty typical for processing delays.
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Jake Sinclair
•Yay! This gives me hope that mine will process soon too.
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