Just want to emphasize something that might not be obvious - when you file your initial claim, be completely honest about your work history and separation reason. Washington ESD will verify everything with your former employer anyway, and any discrepancies can delay or even disqualify your claim. I made the mistake of being vague about why I left a previous job (thinking it would help) and it actually created more problems during the review process. They had to do additional investigation which added weeks to my approval time. Also, if you worked for multiple employers during your base period, make sure to list ALL of them, even short-term jobs. Every bit of wages counts toward meeting those minimum requirements.

I went through this exact same situation last year and can confirm you should definitely qualify! With 8 months of steady work at 30-35 hours per week at $15/hour, you'll easily meet the wage requirements. I was working similar hours at about the same pay rate when I got laid off from my manufacturing job. The key things that helped me: 1) Apply online through the Washington ESD website as soon as possible - don't wait any longer since you were laid off 3 weeks ago, 2) Have your employer information ready (company name, address, dates worked, reason for separation), 3) Keep that layoff letter handy in case they need it during review. One tip - when you file your weekly claims, make sure to report that vacation payout you mentioned getting. It might delay your first payment by a week or two, but it's better to be upfront about it. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me from application to first payment. Don't overthink it - you clearly qualify based on everything you've shared!

This is such a common issue that catches so many people off guard! I went through something similar last year and it's incredibly stressful when you're expecting that first payment. The monetary determination letter is basically just ESD saying "here's what we calculated you'd get IF everything checks out" - but then they still have to verify your ongoing eligibility each week. The "able and available" flag is probably the most frequent cause of the $0 processing status. It's great that you got it resolved so quickly with Claimyr! For anyone else reading this, I'd also recommend taking screenshots of your weekly claim answers before submitting, just in case you need to reference what you clicked later. The questions can be confusing and it's easy to misinterpret them.

This is exactly the kind of detailed thread that should be pinned for new claimants! The journey from panic to resolution here shows how important it is to understand that the monetary determination letter is just step one. I've seen so many people get confused by this same sequence - getting the determination letter and thinking they're all set, then seeing that dreaded $0 processing status. What really stands out is how different the timeline can be depending on whether you can reach an actual person vs. waiting for the system to process things automatically. The fact that @Abigail Spencer got it resolved in 90 minutes with Claimyr versus others waiting weeks really highlights the value of persistence in getting through to someone who can actually help. For future reference, I'd recommend anyone filing claims to read each question twice and maybe even look up the exact definitions of terms like "able and available" on the ESD website before answering. The system doesn't give you much room for interpretation errors!

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I'll definitely be reporting all my Instacart earnings each week when I do my UI claim. Better safe than sorry, especially after hearing about that overpayment nightmare. I appreciate all the advice!

Smart move asking this question upfront! I've been doing gig work (Uber Eats) while on UI for a few months now and learned this the hard way. Definitely report everything - gross earnings and hours worked. One tip that's helped me: I created a simple spreadsheet to track my daily earnings and hours from each platform, then I just add it up when filing my weekly claim. Makes it much easier than trying to remember or dig through payment emails later. Also, keep screenshots of your earnings summaries from Instacart's app as backup documentation in case ESD ever asks for proof. Good luck with the deliveries!

This conversation has covered most of the important points. The main thing is to be honest and timely with all your reporting. Washington ESD can be difficult to deal with but they're usually fair if you follow the rules correctly.

Just to add one more important point - if you're getting close to your 26 week limit and haven't found work yet, start looking into SNAP (food assistance) and other support programs early. There's often a waiting period or application process, so don't wait until your last unemployment check to apply. The transition period can be really tough financially and these programs can help bridge the gap while you continue job searching.

Final thought on reasonable assurance - even if Washington ESD initially denies your claim, you can still file weekly claims and appeal the decision. If you win the appeal, they'll pay you retroactively for all the weeks you were eligible. Don't just give up after the first denial.

I'm a substitute teacher too and went through this exact situation last year. The "reasonable assurance" rule is really tricky - what matters is whether your district gave you a definitive commitment about returning, not just a casual "we hope you'll be back." Since your principal only said there's a "good chance" but nothing guaranteed, you might actually have a strong case for benefits. I'd recommend documenting everything - save any emails or texts from the school, and when you talk to Washington ESD, emphasize that you have no written guarantee and that substitute positions are inherently uncertain. Don't let them brush you off with generic responses. You deserve those benefits to get through the summer!