Washington ESD unemployment claim after federal job termination - family celebrating my firing

Thank you, I really needed to hear that. It's been such a confusing week trying to figure out all the Washington ESD requirements.

Agreed, family drama during unemployment is the last thing anyone needs. Keep your focus on the practical stuff first.

Mainly confused about the job search requirements and how detailed the work search log needs to be. Also not sure about the timeline for when benefits actually start.

You need to document at least 3 job search activities per week once your waiting week is over. Keep detailed records - employer name, position, date, method of contact.

The waiting week is usually your first week after filing. Benefits typically start the second week if everything processes smoothly.

Yeah I've tried calling twice already and can't get through. Is there any better way to reach them?

I actually discovered this service called Claimyr recently that helps people get through to Washington ESD agents. They have some kind of system that handles the calling for you. Check out claimyr.com - there's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

That sounds almost too good to be true, but I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point.

Exactly! It's not like I chose to get terminated. I'm just trying to figure out how to pay my bills while I look for new work.

People who've never been unemployed don't understand how stressful the whole process is, especially dealing with government bureaucracy.

They said it was due to restructuring and budget cuts, so hopefully that won't cause issues with adjudication.

That should be straightforward then. Layoffs and restructuring typically don't cause adjudication delays since it's not misconduct-related.

Still, keep all your termination paperwork handy in case Washington ESD needs to verify the circumstances.

Yeah I'm starting to think I need to just avoid family gatherings for a while. The stress is already overwhelming without their comments.

Definitely protect your mental health right now. Unemployment is stressful enough without dealing with family drama on top of it.

Good reminder about the weekly claims. What day of the week do they usually process them?

you can file anytime after sunday but most people do it sunday or monday. just don't wait until saturday or you might miss the deadline

That's exactly what I need. How does their system work exactly?

You basically give them your callback number and what you need help with, then they handle all the calling and waiting. When they get an agent on the line, they conference you in.

Sounds expensive though. How much do they charge for something like that?

I don't remember exact pricing but it was worth it to avoid the phone nightmare. When you're unemployed, your time is better spent job searching than sitting on hold for hours.

That's reassuring. I was worried about complications since it's federal employment.

Federal wages are reported properly so there's rarely issues with wage verification. That's one less thing to worry about.

It really is awful timing. I'm already anxious about everything and their comments just make it worse.

Some people just lack empathy until it happens to them. Focus on the supportive people in your life right now.

I've started looking at USAJobs but the hiring process is so slow. Figure I need the unemployment benefits as backup while I wait.

Smart approach. Federal hiring can take 6+ months so definitely keep the Washington ESD claim active.

Just make sure you report any federal interviews or job offers to Washington ESD when you file your weekly claims.

Yeah I think you're right about the news influence. I'll check out the website for the job search details.

The Washington ESD website has improved a lot over the past few years. Most of the info you need is actually there now.

Good advice. Should I include the USAJobs applications I've already submitted?

Absolutely. Any legitimate job search activity counts - applications, networking contacts, job fairs, etc.

Just make sure you can prove the activity if asked. Save confirmation emails, take screenshots of applications, etc.

Thank you for the encouragement. This thread has actually made me feel a lot less alone in dealing with all this.

That's what these forums are for. We've all been through similar struggles in one way or another.

This is exactly the kind of practical summary I needed. Screenshot saved!

also don't forget to register with worksource wa if you haven't already. that's a requirement too

Good catch. WorkSource registration is mandatory for most claimants.

Two people recommending it now makes me think it's legit. I'll probably try it if I can't get through this week.

Yeah it's real. Saved me hours of frustration dealing with busy signals and dropped calls.

That's a good point about mixing federal and private applications. I was mostly focused on USAJobs.

Diversifying your search also increases your chances of finding something faster.

Yeah I'm grateful that Washington has decent unemployment benefits compared to what I've heard about other states.

The benefits here really do help bridge the gap while job searching. Just make sure you understand all the requirements to avoid any issues.

That's actually really practical advice. I've been getting drawn into arguments when I should just shut it down and move on.

Exactly. Don't waste emotional energy on people who aren't being supportive right now.

You have enough to deal with between Washington ESD requirements and job searching. Family drama is just a distraction from what actually matters.

Will do. Thanks everyone for all the advice and support. This has been really helpful.

Good luck with everything. The Washington ESD system can be frustrating but it works once you understand the process.