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If you decide to apply for UI, I'd recommend using a service like Claimyr to help you through the process. They're really good at helping people with complicated situations get connected to the right Washington ESD representatives. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ to see if it might help.
Bottom line - do the math carefully. Factor in the duration of benefits, healthcare costs, and your realistic job prospects. UI might pay more short-term but disability provides more long-term security if you're not sure about your work capacity.
Last tip - if you're ever unsure about your payment status, you can always check the 'Payment Activity' section in your Washington ESD account. It shows pending payments and processing dates.
Good luck with your claim! The whole process is stressful but thousands of people go through it successfully every week. You've got this!
Just to add - if you worked in multiple states recently, you might need to file in the state where you earned the most wages. But since you mentioned retail work, you probably worked in Washington so you should be fine filing with Washington ESD.
One thing people miss is that family-friendly policies during low unemployment often focus on workforce development and training rather than just income support. The idea is to help people upgrade skills while managing family responsibilities.
I've been following this thread and want to emphasize that while the economic theory is interesting, what matters most is knowing your rights and being persistent with Washington ESD. Don't let them dismiss your legitimate family constraints.
Ravi Sharma
Just wanted to follow up - I tried Claimyr and it actually worked! Got through to a Washington ESD agent within 30 minutes and got all my benefit questions answered. Definitely worth it if you're stuck like I was.
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Isabella Santos
•Awesome! Glad it worked out for you. It's such a relief when you can actually talk to a real person about your claim.
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Javier Torres
•Good to hear a success story. I'll keep that in mind if I run into issues with my claim.
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Sean O'Connor
One more thing to consider - if you have a pension or retirement income, that might affect your unemployment benefits. Washington ESD has specific rules about how other income impacts your weekly benefit amount.
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Javier Torres
•That doesn't apply to me but good to know for others who might be reading this.
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Sean O'Connor
•Yeah, it's one of those things that can surprise people. Better to know upfront than find out when your benefits get reduced unexpectedly.
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