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OP, I hope this thread helped answer your question! Sounds like PFML is definitely the way to go for your situation. Congratulations on your new baby by the way!
One last tip: if you do end up filing for unemployment, apply as soon as possible after your last day of work. Benefits are effective from the Sunday of the week you file, so don't wait around.
One more thing - if you have any kind of severance agreement or non-compete clause, make sure it doesn't affect your ability to work. Washington ESD will consider that when determining if you're available for work.
Final advice - if you do get denied and need to appeal, don't wait. You only have 30 days from the date of the determination letter. And if you need help understanding the process or getting through to someone at Washington ESD, check out claimyr.com. Sometimes talking to an actual person can clear up issues that seem impossible to resolve online.
Just went through this whole process last month. Had trouble reaching Washington ESD for weeks until someone recommended trying Claimyr to get through to an actual agent. Ended up using their service and finally got my questions answered about my claim status. Worth checking out their demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ if you're having similar issues.
Khalid Howes
Another option for getting quick answers is using Claimyr when you need to talk to Washington ESD directly. I was stuck on whether my freelance work would affect my benefits and needed to speak with someone who could look at my specific situation. Way better than playing phone tag for days.
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Ben Cooper
•Did they help you figure out how freelance income affects benefits? That's my exact situation right now.
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Khalid Howes
•Yes! They explained that you report freelance earnings in the week you actually get paid, not when you do the work. Makes a big difference for benefit calculations.
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Naila Gordon
The income requirements can be tricky. You need wages in at least 2 quarters AND total wages of at least $3,850 in your base period. But there's also a second test where your wages in your highest quarter need to be at least 1.5 times your wages in another quarter. Most people meet this but it's good to know about.
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Naila Gordon
•The Washington ESD website has the details but it's pretty dense. Sometimes talking to an actual person helps make sense of it all.
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Christian Burns
•This thread has been incredibly helpful. I feel like I actually understand the process now instead of being completely lost!
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