I went through something very similar about 6 months ago. Got fired for "excessive absences" when I had to miss work for a kidney stone, stomach flu, and my kid's emergency surgery. I was terrified I wouldn't qualify for unemployment, but Washington ESD approved my claim after about 2 weeks of review. The key things that helped my case were: 1) I had called in properly each time, 2) I kept text messages showing I notified my supervisor, and 3) I had some medical documentation. Even though I didn't have doctor's notes for everything, the fact that my absences were legitimate medical issues and I followed company protocol made all the difference. File your claim right away and don't worry - genuine illness absences are NOT considered misconduct in Washington state.

I work for a local advocacy group and see cases like this all the time. What happened to you is unfortunately common but you absolutely have grounds for unemployment benefits. Washington state specifically protects workers who miss work due to legitimate illness. The fact that you followed proper call-in procedures each time is crucial - that shows you weren't being negligent or trying to abuse the system. When you file your claim, emphasize that you always notified your supervisor in advance and that your absences were due to actual medical conditions, not personal choice. Don't let your employer's attendance policy scare you - those policies can't override state unemployment law when it comes to genuine illness. I'd recommend filing your claim this week and gathering any documentation you have (texts, pharmacy receipts, anything that shows you were actually sick). You've got a strong case here.

I'm about 8 days into waiting on my pending claim and this entire thread has been such a lifesaver! It's so reassuring to see Isabella's update that her claim moved to processing - gives me hope that mine will follow soon. I've been doing all the right things (weekly claims, job searches, checking messages) but was starting to second-guess myself wondering if I missed something. The insight about multiple employers potentially causing delays really helps explain things too, since I had three different W-2s last year. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and timelines - it's amazing how much better it feels knowing this waiting period is completely normal and that I'm not alone in this situation!

I'm in a very similar boat - filed my claim about 16 days ago and still sitting at pending status. This thread has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! I was getting really anxious thinking I'd done something wrong, but seeing that 2-3 weeks is normal processing time makes me feel so much better. I've been keeping up with my weekly claims and job search requirements, but like everyone else here, the financial stress while waiting is intense. Isabella, congrats on your claim moving to processing - that gives me hope! For anyone else reading this later, I think the key takeaway is to stay patient during those first 2-3 weeks while making sure you keep filing weekly claims and meeting all requirements. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and creating such a supportive discussion!

Just to add clarity on the waiting week: it applies to your first eligible week after filing. If your claim is in adjudication for ID verification, your waiting week hasn't technically started yet because you're not considered eligible until the ID verification is complete. Once your identity is verified, the first payable week will be your waiting week (no payment), then you'll receive benefits for subsequent weeks if you continue to qualify. This is why it's crucial to keep filing weekly claims during adjudication - the system will retroactively assign your waiting week and pay for eligible weeks once identity verification is complete.

Hey Hugh, I'm going through something similar right now! Filed 2 weeks ago and still stuck in ID verification limbo. One thing that helped me was creating a timeline of when I submitted everything - screenshot your document upload confirmations if you have them. Also, regarding the financial hardship fast-track that Eve mentioned - I called yesterday and they said you need to provide documentation like an eviction notice or utility shutoff warning to qualify for expedited processing. Might be worth gathering those docs if you have them since rent is due soon. Hang in there - this process is brutal but everyone here seems to eventually get through it!

I'm in a similar situation - week 23 and getting anxious about what happens next. Reading through all these responses is really eye-opening. I had no idea the pandemic extensions were completely gone. Has anyone looked into whether there are any state-specific programs or local resources that might help bridge the gap? I know it's not unemployment benefits, but maybe job training programs or other assistance that could provide some income while continuing to job search?

I'm currently at week 25 and this thread has been incredibly helpful, even though it's not the news I was hoping for. It's really frustrating that there's such a hard cutoff at 26 weeks regardless of individual circumstances or local job market conditions. I've been diligent about my job search activities but the market in my field is still pretty competitive. For those who mentioned other assistance programs like SNAP and WorkSource WA - do you know if there are income limits or other eligibility requirements I should be aware of? I want to start exploring these options now rather than waiting until after my benefits end. Also, has anyone had success with the training programs that might extend benefits that @Olivia Evans mentioned? I'd be interested in learning more about what types of programs qualify and how to get approved.

One more critical thing - if you decide to go the judicial review route, you must file within 30 days of receiving the Commissioner's decision! That deadline is absolute. The court filing requires: 1. A petition for review that names "Commissioner of the Employment Security Department" as respondent 2. Filing fees (around $240 but you can request a fee waiver if low income) 3. Serving a copy to both the Commissioner's office and Attorney General If you miss the 30-day window, you lose your right to judicial review forever. The court can reverse ESD's decision if they find it was legally incorrect or not supported by substantial evidence. Personally, I'd pursue both the pandemic waiver AND prep for judicial review as a backup plan.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - it sounds absolutely infuriating and stressful! Reading through all these responses, it seems like you have some really solid action steps to take. I wanted to add one thing that might help: when you contact your state representative's office, ask specifically if they can help you get an "executive escalation" at ESD. I've heard that sometimes when elected officials get involved, ESD will assign your case to a senior claims examiner who has more authority to actually make decisions rather than just following rigid computer-generated protocols. It might be worth mentioning that you have documented proof of employment during the entire period they claim you were "ignoring" their notices - that seems like pretty clear evidence this was a system error, not intentional fraud. Also, keep detailed records of every phone call, email, and form you submit going forward. If this does end up in court, having a timeline of your good faith efforts to resolve this will work in your favor. You've got this - don't let them intimidate you into giving up!