


Ask the community...
One last suggestion - look into your local community college's continuing education programs. Some offer free or low-cost certification courses that could make you more marketable. Many are designed specifically for unemployed workers.
Exactly! And don't be afraid to reach out for help. Whether it's using Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD or just asking friends and family to keep their ears open for opportunities. This is temporary.
UPDATE: Just checked my account and my claim was approved! Employer must have either not responded or didn't contest. First payment should come this week. Thanks everyone for the help and reassurance!
The system is slow but it generally works. If you're really concerned about timeline, document everything and be prepared to appeal if necessary. Most claims do get approved eventually.
Thanks for all the advice everyone! I feel much better about the process now. I'll keep filing weekly and hope for the best.
Good luck! And remember if you need to actually talk to someone at ESD, Claimyr is there as an option to cut through the phone queue nightmare.
One more thing to consider - make sure you understand when your severance payments will actually be made. Sometimes there are delays in processing, and that can affect when Washington ESD considers you to have received the payments.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful information in this thread. I feel much more prepared to make a decision about my severance package now. I'm going to talk to my employer about restructuring it and also get in touch with Washington ESD to understand exactly how it will affect my claim.
Good luck with everything! Make sure to document all your communications with both your employer and Washington ESD.
And remember, if you have trouble reaching Washington ESD, Claimyr is there to help. It really makes the whole process much easier.
Bottom line - the system sucks and they make it way too hard to get help. But keep trying different times and days. Eventually you'll get through. Or use that service someone mentioned if you want to skip the hassle.
Dmitry Ivanov
Just to wrap up the benefit calculation discussion - remember that your weekly benefit amount is set when your claim is established and won't change during your benefit year, even if you get a part-time job or your circumstances change. The only thing that changes is whether you're eligible for the full amount each week based on your weekly claim answers.
0 coins
GalacticGuru
•That's a really important point. So I don't have to worry about them recalculating my benefits if I do some freelance work?
0 coins
Dmitry Ivanov
•Exactly. Your weekly benefit amount stays the same, but you might get a reduced payment or no payment for weeks when you earn too much. The base amount doesn't change though.
0 coins
StarSailor
One last thing - if you're worried about making ends meet while waiting for your first payment, look into local food banks and emergency assistance programs. Many cities have resources specifically for people who are between jobs. No shame in getting help when you need it.
0 coins
GalacticGuru
•That's really thoughtful advice. I'm hoping I won't need it but it's good to know those resources exist.
0 coins
Fatima Al-Suwaidi
•211 is a great resource too - just dial 2-1-1 and they can connect you with local assistance programs
0 coins