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Just wanted to mention that if you end up having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone to get specific questions answered about your situation, I've had good luck with Claimyr recently. It's a service that helps you get through to actual agents instead of being stuck on hold forever. Really useful when you need clarification on eligibility requirements specific to your work history.
The job search requirement is probably going to be the hardest part for you to maintain, not the initial eligibility. You have to be genuinely looking for work and available to accept suitable job offers. If you turn down a job offer that's considered suitable, you could lose benefits.
Initially you can be somewhat selective, but the longer you're unemployed, the broader your definition of suitable work becomes. After a few weeks, you might need to consider jobs that pay less than your previous position.
From what I understand, the two week waiting period includes your waiting week plus one additional week for processing. So if you filed last Tuesday, you should theoretically see something by this coming Tuesday or Wednesday, assuming no complications. But having a backup plan to contact ESD directly if needed is smart.
Just to add - make sure your job search activities are logged correctly from the start. Washington ESD can audit your job search log at any time and if it's not complete, they can hold up payments even after you've started receiving them.
Pro tip: Screenshot or save confirmation pages when you submit stuff online. Sometimes the system glitches and you need proof you actually filed.
Last thing - if your claim does get stuck in adjudication or you need to talk to someone at ESD about specific issues, don't waste weeks trying to get through on the phone. Check out that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier - they're really good at getting you connected when you actually need to speak with an agent.
One more thing about timing - if you have any weeks where you work part-time or do temporary work, report it accurately on your weekly claim. It might reduce your payment amount but won't necessarily delay it. The delays usually happen when there are discrepancies or missing information that trigger an investigation.
Bottom line for the original question - expect your first payment Wednesday or Thursday after filing Sunday, then it should be consistent every week after that. Set up account alerts, keep your info updated, and file your claims on time. The system works pretty well once you understand the rhythm.
LilMama23
One more tip - make sure you answer all the questions on your weekly claims honestly. If you worked any hours or earned any money, even just a few dollars, you need to report it. Being dishonest can disqualify you from benefits.
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Mei-Ling Chen
•What if I do some freelance work while I'm unemployed? Do I need to report that too?
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LilMama23
•Yes, all income needs to be reported. It might reduce your weekly benefit amount but it won't necessarily disqualify you completely.
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Dmitri Volkov
Bottom line - file as soon as possible after your last day of work, have all your information ready, and be prepared for the process to take some time. Washington ESD is dealing with high volume so patience is key.
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Mei-Ling Chen
•Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I'm going to file my claim tonight.
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Gabrielle Dubois
•Good luck! Hope your claim gets processed quickly.
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