I've been collecting unemployment for about 8 months now and missed filing twice - once early on when I was still figuring out the system, and once a few months ago when I was sick with the flu and completely spaced out. Both times I was able to file the missed weeks without any problems or penalties. The key thing I learned is to file the missed week as soon as you realize you forgot, don't wait around hoping it will somehow fix itself! Also, keep documenting your job search activities even for weeks you miss filing, because you'll still need to report those when you go back to file. The Washington ESD system is actually pretty forgiving about this stuff as long as you don't make it a habit. Setting up reminders definitely helps - I now have a recurring phone alarm every Sunday at 8am that says "FILE UNEMPLOYMENT" and I haven't missed one since!

I just wanted to add my experience for anyone else who might be worried about this. I missed filing my weekly claim about 3 weeks ago because I was traveling for a job interview and completely forgot about it while dealing with flights and hotels. I was so stressed when I realized it on Tuesday, but I was able to log into eServices and file it right away using the "previous week" option. The system asked all the same questions as usual - work search activities, any wages earned, availability for work, etc. I answered everything honestly for that missed week and the filing went through without any issues. My payment came through about 2 days later than usual, but it was the full amount I expected. The relief I felt was huge! Now I always file on Sundays before I do anything else, and I also set a backup reminder for Wednesday just in case. Don't panic if this happens to you - Washington ESD really does seem to understand that people have lives and sometimes forget things.

This is a complex situation with both deployment and PCS factors! You're dealing with two separate qualifying events, so let me break this down: For the deployment piece - PFML (Paid Family and Medical Leave) has a "family leave" provision that may apply when your spouse deploys, but it's typically for bonding/care situations rather than childcare logistics. You'd need to check if losing your daycare provider due to deployment qualifies, but it's not guaranteed. For the PCS unemployment - You can absolutely apply for unemployment benefits when you quit due to the PCS move. The fact that you're losing daycare in November and then PCSing shortly after actually strengthens your case for quitting in November rather than waiting until the actual move date. Losing essential childcare due to military circumstances is solid documentation for your "good cause" quit. My recommendation: Focus on the unemployment benefits for the PCS move rather than trying to navigate PFML for the deployment. When you file your UI claim after quitting in November, document: - Your husband's PCS orders to NAS JAX - Your marriage certificate - Documentation that your daycare provider is unavailable during his deployment - Evidence that you need to prepare for the December PCS move with two kids This creates a clear timeline showing you had to quit due to interconnected military circumstances. Keep filing weekly claims even if it goes to adjudication, and be detailed about your specific situation when you apply.

I'd definitely mention both the deployment and PCS in your unemployment claim - they're not separate issues, they're part of one continuous military situation affecting your family. When you file, explain it as a timeline: husband deploying → losing daycare during deployment → husband returning for PCS move → family relocating to Florida. This shows ESD that you didn't just randomly quit in November, but had a series of military-related circumstances that made continued employment impossible. In the additional information section of your claim, I'd write something like: "My spouse is active duty Navy with orders for PCS from NAS Whidbey to NAS JAX in December 2024. He deployed prior to PCS, causing loss of our childcare provider in November. With two children and no childcare during deployment, plus needing to prepare for December relocation, continued employment became impossible." This paints the full picture of why November was when you HAD to quit, not just when you chose to quit. The more context you provide about the military circumstances, the stronger your case becomes. Don't worry about it being "too much information" - ESD deals with military families regularly and understands these complex situations.

This is exactly what I needed to see! I'm completely new to filing unemployment - just submitted my first claim ever this past Sunday around 3pm online and it's still showing "processing" this morning (Wednesday). I was starting to panic thinking I had filled something out wrong or that there was an issue with my application. Reading through everyone's detailed timelines has been such a huge relief. It sounds like I'm totally on track for the normal 48-hour web filing pattern that so many of you have documented. Based on the patterns shared here, I should hopefully see it switch to "paid" sometime today and then get the actual deposit by Friday (I bank with a regional credit union). I love the idea of keeping a tracking log that several people mentioned - I'm definitely going to start that with this first claim so I can establish my personal timeline. The uncertainty and constant checking is honestly more stressful than the job search itself! One question for the group - is there any benefit to trying to file right at midnight Sunday to get into that first processing batch, or is the difference pretty minimal? Trying to figure out the best strategy for next week. Thanks everyone for sharing such detailed real-world data - this community is invaluable for newcomers like me trying to navigate this whole system!

This thread is incredibly comprehensive - thank you all for documenting these patterns so thoroughly! I'm brand new to unemployment (just lost my job last week) and haven't even filed my first claim yet, but reading through everyone's detailed timelines is already helping me set proper expectations. It sounds like the key takeaway is that the system is slow but predictable once you understand your personal pattern. I'm planning to file my first claim this Sunday and based on what everyone's shared, I think I'll try the midnight filing strategy to get into that first batch, then start tracking my timeline like so many of you recommended. One question - for someone filing their very first claim ever, should I expect any additional delays beyond the normal 48-hour processing window? Or do initial claims follow the same timeline as weekly claims? I want to make sure I'm not panicking unnecessarily if it takes longer than expected. This community is amazing for sharing real-world experiences instead of just the official ESD guidance. Already feeling much more confident about navigating this process thanks to everyone's detailed breakdowns!

Just wanted to add another tip for anyone dealing with this - if you're having trouble getting through to ESD even with the calling services, try reaching out to your local WorkSource office. They often have direct lines to ESD specialists and can help advocate for you or even initiate the wage investigation on your behalf. I had a friend who got her issue resolved in just a few days by going through WorkSource instead of trying to navigate ESD directly. They're way more helpful and actually understand how frustrating the system can be!

This entire thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm bookmarking this for future reference because it seems like wage reporting issues are way more common than they should be. It's really encouraging to see that there are actually multiple ways to get help - the Claimyr service, WorkSource offices, and even contacting state representatives. For anyone else dealing with this nightmare, it sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) Keep all your own employment records, 2) Don't give up after the first denial, 3) There are multiple paths to get help beyond just calling ESD directly, and 4) Employer reporting errors are fixable if you have documentation. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions here. The ESD system might be broken, but at least this community has each other's backs!

honestly dont worry too much about it. i got fired for attendance issues last year which is way worse than performance and still got approved for unemployment. washington esd is pretty reasonable about these things

I went through a very similar situation about 6 months ago - got let go from a manufacturing job for not meeting production standards despite my best efforts. The whole process was nerve-wracking, but I ended up getting approved after about 4 weeks of adjudication. Washington ESD really does look at whether you were making good faith efforts versus deliberately slacking off. Since you mentioned you were genuinely trying but had mobility issues that affected your performance, that actually strengthens your case significantly. Document everything you can remember about your efforts to improve and any accommodations you might have requested. The fact that they only gave you two weeks between the warning and termination also works in your favor - shows they didn't give you adequate time to address the issues. Stay positive and keep filing those weekly claims!