I'm new to this community but dealing with a very similar situation - workplace injury and complete confusion about which benefits to apply for. My employer's HR department also gave me conflicting information about filing for unemployment alongside my L&I claim. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly enlightening! I had no idea that unemployment requires you to be "able and available" for work, which obviously doesn't apply when you're medically unable to work due to injury. The explanation about L&I providing both medical coverage AND time-loss benefits (60-75% of wages) while FMLA just protects your job makes so much sense. I'm definitely going to focus on getting my L&I claim established properly first, keep detailed documentation of everything, and try that early morning calling tip to actually reach someone. The stories about people having to pay back thousands in unemployment benefits they weren't eligible for are exactly the kind of nightmare I want to avoid! Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this thread should be required reading for anyone dealing with workplace injuries in Washington. It's so much clearer now why trying to juggle multiple benefit systems at once is a bad idea.

I'm also dealing with a workplace injury right now and this entire discussion has been a lifesaver! Like so many others here, my supervisor told me to apply for "everything available" which clearly would have been a disaster based on what I'm reading about people owing back thousands in unemployment benefits. What really helped me understand the situation is realizing that these aren't competing programs - they actually work together. L&I handles the financial support and medical coverage for workplace injuries, FMLA protects your job, and unemployment is only for people who CAN work but don't have a job available. Since we're medically unable to work due to our injuries, unemployment doesn't apply. I've already started keeping that detailed log that someone mentioned earlier - documenting every phone call, email, and piece of paperwork. It's already come in handy when L&I claimed they never received a form my doctor's office faxed. Having my own records saved me from starting over. For anyone just starting this process: focus on your L&I claim first, be completely honest with your medical providers about your limitations, keep copies of everything, and don't let anyone pressure you into filing for benefits you're not eligible for. The peace of mind from doing this right the first time is worth way more than trying to rush through multiple applications.

FWIW the official Washington ESD statistics page gets updated around the 15th of each month with the previous month's data. So right now you're looking at November 2024 numbers. December data should be out soon and will probably show the seasonal uptick from holiday layoffs.

I've been following Washington ESD data for a while and can confirm the current numbers are around 87,000-90,000 people receiving regular UI benefits. However, what's frustrating is that this doesn't include the thousands stuck in adjudication like yourself. From what I've observed, construction layoffs in winter often trigger additional review requirements, which explains your 5-week delay. The system treats seasonal layoffs differently than permanent job losses, requiring verification that it's truly temporary. Your wait time is longer than average but not unheard of for seasonal claims. Have you received any correspondence explaining what specific issue is under review?

I went through this exact same situation when I first filed in December! Got laid off from my manufacturing job and had absolutely no clue that job search activities were required from week one. Like you, I thought there would be some kind of grace period to get oriented with the system. The denial notice was such a shock because nowhere in the initial application process did they clearly emphasize this requirement. I ended up just accepting the loss for that week rather than dealing with the appeals process - seemed like more hassle than it was worth for one week's payment. What really helped me moving forward was treating the job search requirements like a part-time job itself. I block out specific times during the week for applications, networking, and attending virtual workshops. Also learned that following up on previous applications counts as a separate activity, which is helpful when you're running low on new positions to apply for. The system definitely has its flaws in how they communicate requirements, but once you get the hang of documenting everything properly it becomes routine. Don't let this one setback discourage you - just focus on staying compliant going forward and you'll be fine!

This exact thing happened to me too when I first filed last year! I was so confused because I thought the first week was just for getting everything set up. The whole system feels like it's designed to trip people up rather than actually help unemployed workers. One thing that's been a lifesaver for me is using the ESD website's job search log feature to track everything digitally. It automatically saves your entries and makes the weekly reporting much easier. You can also set it up to send you reminders about completing your activities. Also wanted to mention that if you're having trouble finding enough positions to apply for in your field, job shadowing and informational interviews count too. I've had some really good networking conversations that way, and it feels more productive than just sending applications into the void sometimes. Don't stress too much about the one denied week - I know it's frustrating financially, but focusing your energy on staying compliant going forward is definitely the way to go. You'll get into a rhythm with it pretty quickly!

Good luck with everything! This is a really common issue but it's definitely fixable. Don't let your employer's mistake prevent you from getting the benefits you're entitled to.

I'm a newcomer here but this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a domestic worker too (eldercare companion) and had no idea about the unemployment insurance requirements. My current employer has been treating me as a contractor but after reading all these responses, I'm pretty sure I should be classified as an employee - I work set hours, use their supplies, and they direct how I do my work. Does anyone know if the same rules apply to eldercare workers or is it just for nannies and housekeepers?

I completely understand your anxiety about this - I was in the exact same headspace when I first started collecting benefits! After being on unemployment for about 4 months now, I've learned that Washington ESD's approach is much more systematic and fair than the horror stories make it seem. They're really focused on data inconsistencies and fraud patterns rather than randomly targeting people. The automated cross-checks they run are actually working FOR you when you're being honest - they help verify that your reporting matches up with employer records and other state databases. I keep a simple spreadsheet with all my job applications, dates, and any income from gig work, and it's given me so much peace of mind. The key thing I've realized is that if you're already worried about following the rules correctly, you're probably doing everything right. The people who get in trouble are usually those who aren't reporting income or are trying to game the system intentionally. Your careful approach to documenting everything shows you're taking it seriously, which is exactly what they want to see from legitimate claimants.

I've been collecting unemployment for about 3 months now and went through the same anxiety cycle you're describing! What finally put my mind at ease was realizing that Washington ESD's audit system is actually pretty transparent about what triggers reviews. From what I've learned through this process, they focus on three main areas: employer disputes (when your former employer challenges your claim), income reporting discrepancies (when what you report doesn't match employer wage records), and obvious fraud patterns (like collecting from multiple states or claiming unemployment while actually working full-time). Since you're being so diligent about reporting your work search activities and any income, you're demonstrating exactly the kind of compliance they're looking for. I think the "paranoia" you're feeling is actually a good sign - it shows you're taking the responsibility seriously and following the rules carefully. Keep doing what you're doing with the detailed record-keeping, and try to remember that the system is designed to catch people who are intentionally cheating, not to punish honest claimants who are doing their best to follow all the requirements.