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I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago after my company had layoffs. Since you mentioned it was a company downsize with multiple people laid off, that should actually work in your favor - Washington ESD processes those types of claims faster because the reason for unemployment is very clear. My timeline was almost exactly 3 weeks from application to first payment. The hardest part is definitely that waiting period when you're checking the website every day and it just says "under review." One thing that helped me was setting up direct deposit if you haven't already - it made the first payment come through faster once approved. Also, make sure you're documenting any job search activities you're doing now, even before approval, because you'll need that information once benefits start. The system is definitely slow but it does work eventually!
That's really encouraging to hear from someone who went through the same situation! I definitely feel better knowing that company downsizes typically get processed faster since the reason is so clear-cut. I should probably set up direct deposit like you suggested - I didn't think about that making the payment faster once approved. And good point about documenting job search activities now, even though I'm not officially required to do them yet. Three weeks seems to be the magic number that keeps coming up in everyone's experiences. Thanks for the reassurance that the system does work, even if it's painfully slow!
I'm going through the same waiting process right now - applied about 10 days ago after being laid off from my retail job. Reading through all these experiences is both reassuring and nerve-wracking! It sounds like the 2-4 week timeline is pretty consistent for most people, though it's frustrating how little communication there is during the process. I've been filing my weekly claims like everyone recommends, even though it feels weird claiming benefits when I don't know if I'm approved yet. The financial anxiety is definitely real - I've been picking up some gig work just to have something coming in while I wait. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and experiences here, it really helps to know what to expect!
You're definitely not alone in this process! I'm also waiting for my unemployment claim to be approved and the lack of communication from Washington ESD is really frustrating. It's smart that you're picking up gig work in the meantime - I've been considering doing the same thing just to have some income while waiting. The financial stress is no joke when you're used to regular paychecks. From everything I've read in this thread, it sounds like we just have to be patient and keep filing those weekly claims. Hopefully we'll both hear something positive soon!
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Just went through something similar a few months back! I live in WA but had a short stint working in Oregon before getting temporarily laid off. Here's what worked for me: Since you were previously receiving WA unemployment benefits and only worked in Oregon for 2 weeks, you should definitely reopen your Washington claim rather than filing a new one in Oregon. You haven't built up enough wage credits in Oregon to qualify there anyway. The standby status is perfect for your situation - 2 weeks is well under the 8-week limit, and having that definite 3/31 return date is key. When you reopen your claim online, make sure to: 1. Report your Oregon wages accurately (have your paystubs ready) 2. List the temporary layoff reason 3. Enter your exact return-to-work date 4. When filing weekly claims, select "on standby" instead of doing job searches One heads up - the system might flag your claim for review since you worked out of state, which could delay your first payment by a week or two while they verify everything. But as long as you have that email confirmation from your supervisor about the layoff and return date, you should be fine. Good luck getting through to ESD if you need to call - it's still a nightmare but worth it for peace of mind on cross-state situations like this!
Thanks for sharing your experience! It's really helpful to hear from someone who actually went through this exact situation. The part about the system potentially flagging the claim for review is something I hadn't considered - good to know it might delay the first payment but shouldn't be a major issue with proper documentation. I'm feeling much more confident about reopening my WA claim now instead of trying to figure out Oregon's system for just 2 weeks of work. Hopefully the online process goes smoothly and I can avoid the ESD phone maze!
Hey there! I'm pretty new to this whole unemployment thing, but I just wanted to say how helpful this thread has been. I'm not dealing with cross-state work like you are, but reading through everyone's responses about standby status and reopening claims has been really educational. It sounds like you've gotten some solid advice here - especially about making sure you have that documentation from your Oregon employer about the layoff and return date. I had no idea that working out of state for just a couple weeks could make things so complicated! From what I'm reading, it seems like reopening your Washington claim is definitely the way to go since you only worked in Oregon for such a short time. The standby status sounds perfect for your 2-week temporary layoff situation too. Hope everything works out smoothly for you and you can avoid having to spend hours trying to get through to ESD on the phone. Keep us posted on how it goes - I'm sure other people will run into similar situations and your experience could help them out!
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As someone who's been through the ESD system many times, I can tell you that the best approach is to be proactive rather than waiting. When your status changes unexpectedly, it's almost always one of these three things: 1. Quarterly review flag (automated and usually clears within 4-5 business days) 2. Identity verification need (check your notices/letters section carefully) 3. Employer response (sometimes employers respond to claims weeks after you start receiving benefits) Since you've been receiving benefits consistently and this is a sudden change, it's most likely option 1 or 3. The fact that your benefit amount was calculated (showing the deduction from your balance) is actually a good sign - means the system has approved the payment but it's just being held for verification. Call ESD as early as possible (7:30am is best) and ask specifically about why your status changed from processing-web to pending. They can usually tell you exactly what triggered it and how long the review might take.
this is good advice but good luck actually REACHING a person at ESD lol. i tried for 2 weeks straight last time i had an issue, either busy signals or 4+ hour hold times and then disconnected!
UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD this morning! You guys were right - it was a quarterly review flag. The agent said it was completely routine and that it got flagged because I've had consistent claims with no changes for several weeks. She pushed it through manually and said the payment should arrive in my account within 48 hours. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!
Awesome! Glad it worked out! How did you manage to get through to them? I have another issue I need to ask them about.
I tried calling right at 7:30am when they opened and still couldn't get through (busy signal), so I ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. It actually worked - got me through to an agent in about 40 minutes which was WAY better than my previous attempts.
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Reading through all these stories really hits home for me. I just went through something similar last month - got fired for "attitude problems" right after I started asking questions about unpaid overtime and meal break violations. Been with the company for 2.5 years and suddenly I'm a "problem employee"? The whole thing felt like retaliation but I was scared to file for unemployment because I thought being fired automatically disqualified me. After seeing everyone's experiences here, I finally filed my claim and just heard back from Washington ESD - they approved it! My former employer tried to contest it claiming I was insubordinate, but ESD saw right through it when they looked at the timeline of my questions about wage violations versus when I suddenly became a "poor performer." For anyone hesitating about filing - just do it! The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised. Document everything and be honest about any workplace issues you reported. Washington ESD really does investigate fairly and they know how to spot employer retaliation patterns.
Connor, congratulations on getting your claim approved! Your story is really inspiring and shows exactly why it's so important to fight back against employer retaliation. The fact that you were asking about unpaid overtime and meal break violations - those are serious wage theft issues that employers are legally required to address, not punish employees for raising. It's disgusting how they tried to paint you as having "attitude problems" when you were just standing up for your legal rights. Your success story is going to give so many people in similar situations the confidence to file their claims too. Thanks for coming back to share the good news - it's proof that Washington ESD really does see through these bogus termination excuses when they investigate properly. Hope you find an employer who actually respects workers' rights at your next job!
I'm in a really similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Got terminated two days ago for what they called "failure to meet productivity standards" but it happened exactly one week after I submitted a formal complaint to management about broken safety guards on our machinery. I've been there for 20 months with solid performance reviews until suddenly last month they started documenting every tiny mistake I made. The timing feels like obvious retaliation but I was terrified to file for unemployment because I thought getting fired meant automatic disqualification. After reading everyone's experiences here though, I'm definitely filing my claim tomorrow morning. It's so encouraging to see that Washington ESD actually investigates these cases thoroughly and recognizes retaliation patterns. I have emails documenting the safety issues I reported, so hopefully that will help my case. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - you've given me the confidence to fight for what I deserve instead of just accepting their bogus termination excuse!
Harper, your situation with getting fired for "productivity standards" just one week after reporting broken safety guards is textbook retaliation! 20 months of solid reviews doesn't just disappear overnight - that sudden shift to documenting every tiny mistake after your safety complaint is such a classic pattern. Broken safety guards are a serious OSHA violation that could cause severe injuries, so you were absolutely right to report it. Those emails documenting the safety issues you reported are going to be crucial evidence for your case. Make sure you save copies of everything - the original safety complaint, any follow-up communications, and especially anything showing the timeline between your complaint and when they suddenly started finding problems with your work. Washington ESD is really good at connecting these dots and recognizing when employers are retaliating against workers for exercising their safety rights. You're doing the right thing by filing - don't let them intimidate you out of benefits you've earned!
Fiona Gallagher
This is such a comprehensive thread! I've been hesitating about plasma donation for weeks but reading everyone's experiences really helps. It sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) Plasma donation isn't considered employment income by Washington ESD, 2) No need to report it on weekly claims, 3) Keep documentation just in case, and 4) Make sure to maintain good health with proper nutrition. I'm definitely going to look into local centers now. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - it makes such a difference when you're trying to navigate unemployment and need every bit of help you can get!
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QuantumQuasar
•You've summarized it perfectly! I was in the same boat a few months ago - really nervous about doing anything that might jeopardize my benefits. But after reading threads like this and talking to people who've actually done it, I realized I was overthinking it. The plasma donation process is pretty straightforward too - just make sure you have all your documents ready for the first visit and don't be afraid to ask questions. The staff at these centers are used to dealing with people in tough financial situations and they're generally pretty understanding. Hope it works out for you!
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Emma Garcia
Just wanted to add my experience - I've been donating plasma for about 3 months while on unemployment and it's been a lifesaver. The extra $300-400 per month has really helped with bills and groceries. What I found helpful was calling ahead to different centers to compare their compensation rates and new donor bonuses. Some places offer up to $100 for your first few donations. Also, if you have any medical conditions or take medications, make sure to ask about eligibility during the screening - they're pretty thorough about what disqualifies you. The actual donation process is pretty relaxing once you get used to it, and most centers have wifi so you can catch up on shows or job searching while you're there. Definitely recommend keeping a simple log of dates and amounts like others mentioned - I use a notes app on my phone. Good luck with your job search and hope this helps bridge the gap financially!
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LunarEclipse
•This is exactly the kind of detailed info I was looking for! The tip about calling different centers to compare rates is brilliant - I hadn't thought of that. I'm curious about the screening process - how long did it take for your first visit? And did they ask any questions about your employment status or income sources? I'm planning to go next week but want to be prepared for what to expect. Also really appreciate the reminder about using the time productively for job searching - that's actually a great way to think about it!
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