Last thing I'll add - make sure you have a reliable way to access the internet for your weekly claims. The Washington ESD system is mostly online now and you'll need to log in every week. Don't rely on just your phone if you can avoid it.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I went through this exact situation last month. I was laid off from my job at a manufacturing plant and filed my claim the very next day online at esd.wa.gov. The whole application took me about 40 minutes, and I had my confirmation within a few hours. My first payment came exactly 3 weeks later (after the one-week waiting period and processing time). The key is having all your documents ready - I had my Social Security card, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months organized beforehand. Don't overthink it, just get that application submitted as soon as possible!

Bottom line: severance can affect unemployment but it doesn't have to if it's structured right. Get clarification from Washington ESD, be completely honest when filing your claim, and keep good records. You'll get through this!

I went through something similar last year when my tech company did layoffs. The $8,000 severance amount is pretty typical, and the good news is that Washington state is generally more worker-friendly than some other states when it comes to severance and UI benefits. Here's what I learned: if your severance agreement doesn't specifically mention covering a certain number of weeks or acting as "pay in lieu of notice," you're probably in the clear to start collecting right away. The fact that yours just says it's "in appreciation of service" sounds promising. One tip I wish someone had told me - when you file your UI claim online, there's a section where you can upload documents. Include your severance agreement there from the start, even if they don't explicitly ask for it. It saved me from having to deal with follow-up requests later. Also, start your claim as soon as possible after your last day of work, regardless of the severance situation. Washington ESD can always adjust things retroactively if needed, but you don't want to lose out on potential benefit weeks while you're figuring everything out.

I'm in a similar situation - 5 weeks in adjudication with no updates. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like the consensus is that contacting your state representative is more effective than the governor's office. I just looked up my district on leg.wa.gov and found my rep's contact info. For anyone else in this situation, make sure to include your Social Security number, claim confirmation number, and a brief timeline of your issue when you contact them. I'm also going to try that ESD Office of Constituent Affairs number that Carmen mentioned (855-682-0394) first thing Monday morning. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops just to get basic unemployment benefits we're entitled to, but at least we can help each other navigate this broken system.

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now - 8 weeks in adjudication and feeling completely helpless. Thank you all for sharing these resources! I had no idea about the ESD Office of Constituent Affairs number or that state representatives could actually help with this. I've been banging my head against the wall trying to get through the regular ESD phone lines with zero success. I'm going to try calling 855-682-0394 first thing tomorrow and also reach out to my state rep. It's absolutely insane that we have to become detective investigators just to access benefits we've paid into, but I'm grateful this community exists to help each other navigate this broken system. Will report back if any of these approaches work for me!

Have you checked if you might qualify for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) if there were any declared disasters in your area during your unemployment period? It's a long shot but worth looking into. Also, some credit unions offer emergency loans or hardship programs for members - if you belong to one, give them a call. The interest rates are usually much better than credit cards or payday loans if you need to bridge the gap.

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago. Here's what I wish I had known earlier: 1) Apply for SNAP and any local assistance programs NOW, not when your benefits end - there's often a processing delay. 2) Reach out to your state representative's office - they sometimes have emergency assistance funds or can connect you with resources you didn't know existed. 3) Check with local churches and nonprofits even if you're not religious - many have emergency assistance programs with no strings attached. 4) Look into plasma donation if you're eligible - it's not much but can provide some regular income while job hunting. The transition off unemployment is scary but you'll get through it. Start applying these backup plans now so they're in place when you need them.

This is such valuable information! I'm in a similar situation - been on unemployment for about 3 months and have an interview next week that looks promising. Reading through everyone's experiences here has really helped me understand what I need to do if I get an offer. The main takeaway seems to be report immediately through SecureAccess Washington, don't wait for the next weekly claim, and make sure to use the exact start date. I'm bookmarking this thread so I have all these tips handy if I need them. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge - it's going to save me from making costly mistakes!

Just wanted to share my recent experience with this exact situation! I got a job offer on a Thursday and was panicking about what to do since I'd never had to report returning to work before. I followed the advice to report immediately through SecureAccess Washington rather than waiting for my weekly claim. The "Report Return to Work" option was right there on the main page once I logged in. I entered my employer info and start date (which was the following Monday), and within a few hours I got a confirmation message that my claim was being closed. The whole process took maybe 10 minutes and saved me from any potential overpayment issues. One tip I'd add is to double-check all your employer information before submitting - I almost put the wrong address and caught it at the last second. Also keep that confirmation screen/email as proof you reported on time. Really glad I found similar advice online because the Washington ESD website isn't super clear about the urgency of immediate reporting.