Washington ESD waiting period week for unemployment - how does it work?

So I have to do everything the same but just don't get money for that one week? That seems harsh when I'm already struggling financially.

Yeah exactly. It's annoying but that's how the system works. Make sure you still file that weekly claim though or it can mess up your whole benefit year.

Wait, so does everyone have to do a waiting week? I thought I read somewhere that some people don't have to serve one.

Most people do, but there are some exceptions. If you're on standby status or in certain training programs, you might not have a waiting week. Also, if you had a previous claim in the same benefit year, you might not need to serve another one.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already broke waiting for my benefits to start.

It was worth it for me because I was so stressed about doing everything right. The peace of mind of talking to a real person at Washington ESD was huge.

I might look into that. I've been trying to call for days and keep getting disconnected.

I feel you! It's like they're punishing people for losing their jobs. The whole system is set up to make it as hard as possible.

I get the frustration but the waiting week has been around forever. It's supposed to make sure people are really unemployed and not just taking a quick break from work.

This is super important! I almost made this mistake when I first filed. The Washington ESD website isn't super clear about this.

Good to know! I definitely won't skip filing then. Better safe than sorry with Washington ESD.

Wait, so we lose a whole week of benefits permanently? That doesn't seem fair.

That's correct. The waiting week essentially reduces your total benefit entitlement by one week. It's been a policy debate for years.

Some states have gotten rid of the waiting week but Washington still has it. Hopefully they'll change it someday.

That's a good tip! I'll check my account after I file my first weekly claim.

Yeah the SAW portal is actually pretty helpful once you figure out where everything is. Way better than trying to call Washington ESD.

Working part-time during your waiting week won't reset your claim, but you need to report those earnings on your weekly claim. Depending on how much you earn, it might affect when you serve your waiting week.

So I should still take the work if it's offered? I just report it honestly on my weekly claim?

Yes, always report your earnings honestly. Washington ESD has ways to verify income, and unreported earnings can result in overpayment issues later.

I might try that. I've been calling for three days straight and haven't gotten through once.

Same here! The phone system at Washington ESD is impossible. Either busy signal or it hangs up on you.

Thanks for the encouragement! It helps to know other people have been through this same process.

We've all been there. The first few weeks of unemployment are the hardest, but it gets easier once you understand the system.

What exactly is standby status? I keep seeing people mention it but I don't understand what it means.

Standby is when your employer temporarily lays you off but expects to call you back within a specific timeframe. You don't have to do job search activities and the waiting week rules are different.

That sounds way better than regular unemployment! Wish my company had done that instead of just laying us all off permanently.

How many job contacts do we need per week? I've heard different numbers from different people.

It's usually 3 job search activities per week, but it can vary based on your situation. Check your eligibility requirements in your Washington ESD account.

Good to hear from someone who's been through it recently. Were there any other surprises I should know about?

Not really, just make sure you understand the job search requirements and report any income honestly. The system works pretty smoothly once you get the hang of it.

Thanks for the recommendation! I'm going to check out that video demo tonight.

Anything has to be better than sitting on hold for hours just to get disconnected.