Is unemployment high right now in WA - should I file with Washington ESD?

That's lower than I expected! I was worried it might be really competitive to get approved right now.

Low unemployment actually means Washington ESD processes claims faster usually, less backlog to deal with

Good point about the waiting period. I didn't realize there was still a delay even after filing.

Wait, is there still a waiting period? I thought they got rid of that during COVID?

The waiting period is back as of 2023. It's the first week of your claim where you don't get paid, but you still need to file that week.

That's exactly what I'm hoping for. Did you have any issues with Washington ESD during your claim?

Pretty smooth actually. Only got stuck once when I couldn't reach them about a job search requirement question, but I used this service called Claimyr that got me through to an agent in like 10 minutes. Way better than sitting on hold for hours. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

True, I was more wondering about processing times and how competitive it might be.

Actually lower unemployment can mean faster processing since there's less volume hitting the system at once.

Good to hear about tech jobs! I'm in marketing so hopefully similar trends.

Marketing jobs are definitely picking up too from what I've seen on LinkedIn

That's encouraging! Still going to file though just to be safe.

No, it's the opposite! Low unemployment usually means the trust fund is in better shape and there's less strain on the system. Approval criteria don't change based on economic conditions.

Oh wow, I had that completely backwards. Thanks for clarifying!

That makes sense. I guess I was thinking too much in terms of overall trends instead of individual situations.

Exactly! And even in a 'good' job market, finding the RIGHT job can take months.

Two weeks is pretty fast! Did you have any complications or was it straightforward?

Straightforward layoff, had all my paperwork ready. The key is having your employer info and last day worked ready when you file.

Good point. I'd rather not take a big pay cut if I don't have to.

This is so important! I was able to hold out for a role that actually paid more than my old job because I had UI benefits covering my bills.

Wait, you can't backdate weekly claims? I thought you could go back and file them later?

You can request backdating but it's not guaranteed and requires a good cause explanation. Much better to file on time from the start.

I hadn't thought about it from that angle. More bargaining power for workers is definitely a good thing.

Exactly! Low unemployment means you can be more selective and negotiate better terms.

The job search requirements are set by law, not by economic conditions. You still need to make 3 job contacts per week and keep a log of your search activities.

Okay that makes sense. I was worried they'd make it harder somehow.

The requirements are the same regardless of unemployment rates. What matters is that you're actively searching and can document it.

That's reassuring! I was worried about long waits based on stories I'd heard from a few years ago.

Yeah, the pandemic years were a nightmare for everyone. Things are much more normal now.

This is exactly what I was hoping to hear. I want to be strategic about my next move.

Smart approach! Just make sure you're documenting your job search activities properly for Washington ESD.

That's a great success story! Did you have any trouble with Washington ESD during your claim?

Only once when I needed to clarify something about my job search log. I couldn't get through on the phone for days, but then someone recommended Claimyr.com and I was connected to an agent within minutes. Definitely worth checking out if you run into any issues.

You're absolutely right. I'm going to file today.

This is the correct advice. Don't overthink it - if you're eligible, file immediately.

Good decision! Make sure you have your employment history ready when you file, and don't forget to file your weekly claims on time.

Best of luck with your job search! The combination of UI benefits and a decent job market should work in your favor.

You've got this! Keep us posted on how it goes.

That's really comforting to hear. Thanks for putting it in perspective!

And remember, filing for UI doesn't mean you've given up on finding work quickly. It's just smart financial planning.

I'll keep that in mind just in case. Hopefully everything goes smoothly but it's good to know there are options if I get stuck.

I wish I had known about services like that when I was trying to reach them last year. Would have saved me hours of frustration!