Also remember that if you disagree with your benefit amount calculation, you have the right to appeal. Sometimes Washington ESD makes mistakes or doesn't have complete wage information. The appeal deadline is pretty short though so don't wait if something looks wrong.

Based on your $65k salary, you should expect around $650-750 per week in Washington unemployment benefits. The calculation uses your highest earning quarter from your base period (typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters) at roughly 3.85% of those quarterly wages. The 2025 maximum is $999/week and minimum is $295/week. I'd recommend using the benefit calculator on Washington ESD's website - it's pretty accurate for estimating your exact amount before you file. Also remember benefits are taxable, so consider having the 10% federal tax withheld to avoid a surprise at tax time.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about taking this contract work now. I'll report everything properly and keep good records. Sounds like as long as I'm honest about it, I should be fine.

Just wanted to add my experience - I've been doing occasional freelance web development while on unemployment for the past few months. The key thing I learned is to be super precise about the dates when you actually performed the work vs when you got paid. I had one project where I worked 3 days in one week and 2 days the following week, but got paid in a lump sum later. I reported the earnings proportionally across those specific days I worked ($300 for week 1, $200 for week 2) and it went smoothly. Also keep detailed time logs if possible - Washington ESD appreciates when you can show exactly how you calculated your weekly earnings breakdown.

Don't forget to check if your hearing is scheduled during regular business hours or if they offer evening/weekend slots. I had to request a different time because of work conflicts, and they were accommodating. Also, make sure you have a backup phone number in case they can't reach you on your primary line - missing the call means you automatically lose. Write down the hearing number and keep it handy during the call so you can reference it if needed.

I've been through the Washington ESD appeal process and wanted to add a few more tips that really helped me. First, if you're feeling overwhelmed by the legal aspects, many local legal aid organizations offer free consultations for unemployment cases - even just 30 minutes can help you understand your rights better. Second, practice staying calm if your former employer says things that aren't true during their testimony. You'll get your chance to respond, so don't interrupt. Third, if you have any documentation showing you looked for other solutions before quitting (like requesting a transfer, asking for mediation, etc.), make sure to include that. It strengthens your case that quitting was truly your last resort. The judges really want to see that you tried everything possible before leaving. You've got this - having evidence of hostile behavior and complaints to HR puts you in a good position!

I'm also dealing with identity verification adjudication right now - filed about 2 weeks ago after my seasonal job ended and got the same "adjudication in progress" status. This thread has been a lifesaver! I was convinced I'd somehow messed up my application, but hearing from so many people who went through the exact same thing is incredibly reassuring. I've been filing my weekly claims but honestly hadn't started the job search activities yet because I thought "what's the point if I'm not approved?" - clearly I need to get on that ASAP! It's encouraging to hear about people getting substantial back pay once everything gets sorted out. The waiting is definitely stressful when you're watching your savings dwindle, but at least now I know this is normal and I just need to be patient and keep following the process. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and advice - it really helps to know there's light at the end of this tunnel!

I'm also going through identity verification adjudication right now - been waiting about 2.5 weeks since I filed after my call center job was eliminated. This entire thread has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! I was starting to panic thinking I'd done something wrong with my documents, but seeing how common this is for first-time filers like myself really puts my mind at ease. I've been faithfully filing my weekly claims and just started doing the job search activities after reading everyone's advice here (wish I'd known to start those immediately!). The stories about people getting their back pay in lump sums once approved definitely give me hope that this waiting period will be worth it. It's amazing how many of us are in the same boat right now - makes me feel less alone in this stressful process. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and timelines - it really helps to know there's light at the end of this tunnel!

Glad everything worked out for you! This is actually a really common concern, especially for first-time claimants. For anyone else reading this thread - it's also worth noting that some banks will show pending deposits earlier than others, so don't panic if you don't see it pending right away. The one-day delay for federal holidays is pretty standard across all government benefit programs. Setting up those calendar reminders is definitely the way to go!

So relieved to see your update that the payment came through! I'm actually bookmarking this thread because I'm sure I'll be in the same situation at some point. The advice about checking your claim status on eServices to see if it shows "paid" is really helpful - that way you know it's just a banking delay and not something wrong with your claim. Also didn't know about the text alerts for holidays, definitely signing up for those. Thanks everyone for being so helpful to a fellow claimant! 🙏