What is separation date unemployment - Washington ESD won't process my claim

That makes sense! So I should stick with December 15th as my separation date even though I got paid in January?

Exactly. Washington ESD needs the actual last day you performed work duties, not the payment date for accrued benefits.

How did you resolve it? Did you have to send in additional documentation?

I had to get a letter from HR stating my exact last day of work. The payroll records weren't enough because they showed the later payment dates.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already strapped for cash waiting for my benefits.

It's worth it when you're stuck like this. Much better than calling Washington ESD 100 times and getting nowhere.

I was skeptical about services like that but honestly after being on hold for 3 hours multiple times, I get it.

I didn't get severance, just the vacation payout. But sounds like the principle is the same - last day worked is what matters.

yep exactly. any payments after that are just wages for work already done

Sometimes employers don't report the separation date correctly on the initial filing, especially if there are final payments involved.

Ugh, so we have to clean up their mistakes. Typical.

That's really helpful to know! I wish someone had told me this when I left my job.

Do you know what documentation Washington ESD typically wants for separation date verification?

Usually they want either a separation notice from the employer or a letter confirming the last day worked. Paystubs alone often aren't enough.

What documents did you finally need to submit?

Had to get my former supervisor to write a letter stating my exact last day of work and the reason for separation. Washington ESD wouldn't accept just the termination paperwork from HR.

Oh wow, I didn't realize it could affect my benefit amount. Now I'm even more worried about getting this fixed.

Don't panic, they can adjust it retroactively once the correct separation date is established. Just make sure you have solid documentation.

How long did it take to resolve for him?

like 3 weeks once he got the right paperwork to them. the waiting was the worst part

Did they help you figure out what documentation to send?

Yes, the agent was able to see exactly what was missing from my file and told me the specific form my employer needed to complete.

Good point, I should check that more often. I've been relying on email notifications.

The SAW portal is usually more up to date than the email notifications. Check it daily when you have an active issue.

Is there a standard form employers are supposed to fill out for separation date verification?

There's no specific form, but Washington ESD needs written confirmation of the last day worked and reason for separation. A simple letter on company letterhead usually works.

That's reassuring to hear. I was worried this would drag on for months.

nah once they have what they need its usually resolved within a week or two

My company was pretty small so I'm hoping they'll be cooperative. I'll reach out to my former manager first.

Most employers want to help with unemployment documentation since it doesn't cost them anything and keeps their unemployment tax rates stable.

Good catch. I need to double check that I've been consistent in all my submissions to Washington ESD.

Inconsistent dates are a red flag that can trigger additional review and delay your claim even more.

I hadn't thought about it from the employer billing perspective. That makes sense why they need it to be precise.

How did you get your employer to submit the corrected report? Did you have to ask them specifically?

I explained that Washington ESD needed verification and asked if they could submit a wage correction. Most payroll departments know how to do this.

Will do! I'm going to contact my former employer tomorrow and try to get that separation letter.

Thanks! This thread has been super helpful for understanding what Washington ESD actually wants.

I might try that if the documentation route doesn't work. Thanks for the suggestion!

Definitely worth it when you're stuck like this. The demo video they have shows exactly how it works for Washington ESD calls.

You're absolutely right about needing that employer letter! I went through something similar with vacation payout creating confusion. The key is getting documentation that specifically states your last day of actual work duties. Also make sure to check your SecureAccess Washington account regularly - sometimes they upload document requests there without email notifications. Good luck getting it sorted out!

Same situation here! I had a two-week gap between my last day of work and when I received my final paycheck with unused sick time. What really helped me was getting my former supervisor to write a simple letter stating "Employee's last day of work was [date]" on company letterhead. Washington ESD accepted that immediately. The automated system can be so confusing when there are post-separation payments involved, but once you have that employer confirmation it usually moves pretty quickly.

This thread has been so helpful! I'm in a similar boat with my claim stuck for over a month due to separation date confusion. It's frustrating that this seems to be such a common issue with Washington ESD. From reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key steps are: 1) Get a letter from your former employer confirming your actual last day worked, 2) Make sure all your documentation shows the same separation date consistently, and 3) Check your SecureAccess Washington account daily for any document requests. Has anyone had success resolving this without needing to use a callback service like Claimyr, or does it usually come to that when you're stuck this long?