Just wanted to add my experience as someone who was recently laid off from a smaller tech company here in Seattle. I filed my initial claim right after my layoff even though I was getting 4 weeks of continued pay, and it was definitely the right decision. One thing I learned that might help you - when you're reporting your continued paychecks as income, make sure you report them for the week the payment is actually deposited, not the week it represents. So if you get paid bi-weekly and your paycheck covering 7/20-8/2 gets deposited on 8/5, you report that income for the week containing 8/5. This tripped me up initially because I was thinking about it wrong. Also, start keeping a simple spreadsheet or document tracking your job search activities from day one. Even if you're not getting benefits yet, you'll need to show those three activities per week, and it's so much easier to track as you go rather than trying to remember everything later. I used a basic format with date, company name, position title, and type of activity (application, networking contact, etc.). The ESD website definitely has its quirks but once you get into the routine of weekly claims it becomes pretty automatic. You've gotten great advice here - file this week and don't second-guess it!

I'm new to this community but wanted to chime in since I just went through a very similar situation with my layoff from a local startup last month. The advice here is solid - definitely file your initial claim right away! One thing I'd add is to take screenshots of your severance agreement/documentation before you file. ESD sometimes asks for clarification on how severance is structured (lump sum vs. salary continuation), and having that info handy can save you from delays. Also, if your company offers any career transition services or job placement assistance as part of your severance package, those don't count as income but you should still mention them if ESD asks about other benefits you're receiving. The hardest part for me was wrapping my head around doing job search activities while still technically employed, but it makes sense once you understand that you're establishing future eligibility. Start that spreadsheet tracking now - even basic networking conversations or informational interviews count toward your three weekly activities. You're asking all the right questions and getting great advice here. The system isn't as scary as it seems once you get started!

Just wanted to add for anyone reading this - if you're having trouble understanding your benefit calculation, Washington ESD does have a detailed breakdown on their website under "How Benefits Are Calculated." It shows the exact formula they use with your two highest earning quarters. I found it really helpful when I was trying to figure out why my amount was different than what I expected. Also, don't forget that if you have any gaps in employment during your base period, that can affect your calculation too since they're looking at specific quarters of earnings.

Just went through this process myself after getting laid off from Amazon last month. The $999 maximum is correct for 2025, but like others mentioned, whether you actually get that depends on your base period earnings. One thing that really helped me was logging into my eServices account and looking at the "Wage and Potential Benefits Inquiry" section - it shows exactly what quarters they're using and your actual reported wages. I discovered my employer had reported some of my stock compensation differently than I expected, which affected my calculation. Also worth noting that if you worked in multiple states during your base period, Washington might not have all your wage records and you may need to provide additional documentation. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me from filing to getting my first payment, but that was with no complications. Hope this helps!

Great to hear you found it! This thread was really helpful - I'm also waiting on my PFML 1099-G and didn't realize I should check the Paid Leave portal directly. Just logged in and mine is there too, dated January 25th. No email notification for me either. Seems like their notification system might be having issues this year. Thanks for posting about this and thanks to everyone who helped clarify the difference between ESD unemployment and the Paid Leave department!

Just wanted to add my experience to help others - I was in the exact same situation last month. Took PFML for family caregiving and couldn't find my tax documents anywhere on the ESD site. Like others mentioned, PFML tax docs come through the Paid Leave portal at paidleave.wa.gov, not the regular ESD unemployment site. Mine was available in early February under the Documents tab, but I never received any email notification either. It seems like their email system is definitely having issues this year. For anyone still looking, definitely check your Paid Leave account directly rather than waiting for an email!

did anyone else get a weird letter asking for identity verification during adjudication? i got one but my friend didn't. just wondering if its normal

I'm going through something similar right now - been waiting 4 weeks in adjudication after being let go for "performance issues" that were really just impossible targets during a company restructure. The stress of not knowing when (or if) you'll get approved is almost worse than the financial pressure! I've been documenting everything I can think of - old performance reviews showing I was meeting expectations before the restructure, emails where I asked for help or clarification on the new targets, even comparisons of my workload before vs after the changes. Has anyone had success getting their case expedited somehow? The uncertainty is killing me and I keep refreshing my account hoping for any update at all.

I haven't tried WorkSource yet - that's a great suggestion! I'll definitely check with them. And good to know the governor's office route worked for you. I'm desperate to get this claim processed so I can make better decisions.

I'm in a similar situation - graphic designer in Seattle and the market is absolutely brutal right now. I've been on unemployment for 2 months and just started a part-time barista job last week. Here's what I learned: 1. You CAN work part-time and still collect partial benefits - just report everything accurately on your weekly claims 2. For me, working 20 hours at $15/hour means I still get about 60% of my unemployment benefits 3. The mental health boost of having SOME income and structure has been huge while job hunting The key is the reporting - I use a simple spreadsheet to track exact hours worked each day. When you file your weekly claim, they'll ask for total hours worked and gross earnings for that week. Be precise! Also, retail experience can actually help your resume - shows you're willing to work and stay active during unemployment. Some employers see gaps in employment as red flags, so this could actually help you land a design job later. Take the interview, ask good questions about the work environment, and trust your gut. You can always quit if it's toxic - and you'll still have your unemployment claim to fall back on.