Just wanted to jump in here as someone who went through this exact same terrifying experience about 8 months ago! When I saw "Disqualified" on my first week, I literally thought I was going to lose my house because I was convinced they'd denied my entire claim. Spent the whole weekend in a panic before my coworker explained it was just the waiting week. It's absolutely insane that ESD continues to use this terminology when it clearly traumatizes people who are already dealing with the stress of unemployment. The waiting week is mandated by state law and applies to everyone - you haven't done anything wrong! Just keep filing your weekly claims and make sure you're doing your 3 job search activities each week. You should start getting paid from week 2 onward assuming everything else checks out. Hang in there - the system is confusing but you're doing everything right!

I just went through this exact same experience two weeks ago! Filed my first unemployment claim and when I saw "Disqualified" on week one, I literally had a panic attack thinking I'd been completely denied. I must have refreshed the page 20 times hoping it would change to something less terrifying. The terminology ESD uses is honestly cruel - imagine using the word "Disqualified" to describe what's basically just a standard waiting period that EVERYONE has to go through! I ended up finding this community while frantically googling at 3am, and reading similar stories was the only thing that calmed me down. It's such a relief to know this is completely normal, but also infuriating that ESD puts so many people through this unnecessary emotional roller coaster. For anyone else reading this who's currently panicking about seeing "Disqualified" - you're okay, you didn't mess up, it's just their awful way of labeling the mandatory one-week waiting period. Keep filing your weekly claims and you should start getting paid from week two onwards!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. My benefits exhausted but I kept filing weekly claims for about 8 weeks afterward while job hunting. It was definitely worth it because when I had a brief part-time job that ended after 3 weeks, I was able to restart my benefits immediately without any hassle. The job search reporting does feel redundant when you're not getting paid, but it only takes a few minutes each week and could save you major headaches later. Plus, some employers actually check unemployment records during hiring, so having continuous filing shows you've been consistently looking for work. Just think of it as insurance for your claim status.

I'm in a similar situation - my benefits are running low and I've been wondering about this too. From reading everyone's responses, it sounds like continuing to file is the smart move even without payments. I had no idea that stopping for 4+ weeks makes your claim inactive! That's definitely something ESD should make clearer in their communications. The job search requirement staying at 3 activities seems reasonable since you're maintaining your claim status. Has anyone here actually experienced one of those rare benefit extensions that Jamal mentioned? I'm curious how that process works if it ever happens again.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you apply for Training Benefits, make sure you also submit a detailed career plan explaining how this training connects to your previous work experience and future career goals. I think this really helped my application get approved faster. Since you have healthcare admin experience, you can emphasize how medical coding builds on that background and how it's a logical career progression. ESD wants to see that you're not just randomly picking a training program but that it makes sense for your career path. Also, once you do get approved, you'll get a letter with specific requirements you need to follow (like maintaining satisfactory progress, reporting any changes, etc.). Keep that letter handy because you'll need to reference it throughout your training! Good luck with your application! Medical coding is definitely a smart choice given the demand in healthcare.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also check if your chosen medical coding program offers any financial aid or scholarships. Even if Training Benefits gets approved, there might be program costs that aren't fully covered. I went through a similar situation last year and found that some community colleges have specific grants for displaced workers that can help with books, certification exam fees, and other expenses that Training Benefits doesn't cover. Also, just a heads up - the medical coding field often requires passing certification exams (like CPC or CCS) after completing your program. Make sure the training program you choose prepares you for these exams and includes exam prep, because employers almost always require certification. Some programs even include the exam fee in their tuition, which is definitely worth considering when comparing options. The job market for medical coders is really strong right now, especially with remote work options, so you're making a smart choice! Just make sure you understand all the costs upfront so there aren't any surprises later.

For anyone still reading this thread, I wanted to add that timing really matters when you're dealing with Washington ESD garnishment. I made the mistake of waiting until the last minute to call them, and by then they had already processed the garnishment order to my employer. Even though I was able to eventually get on a payment plan, it took an extra month to stop the garnishment because of the paperwork involved. If you get that initial overpayment notice, don't wait - call them within the first week if possible. Also, if you do end up with garnishment starting before you can negotiate, don't give up. You can still call and potentially reduce future garnishments or switch to a voluntary payment plan. The system is definitely frustrating but there are options if you stay persistent.

Just went through this process myself last month and wanted to share what worked for me. I got a garnishment notice for $3,100 and was terrified they'd take 25% of my pay. Here's what I learned: call them at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - I got through in under 30 minutes on my third try. The agent was actually understanding and set me up on a $175/month payment plan instead of the $650+ they could have garnished. Make sure to ask about hardship considerations if you're supporting dependents or have high medical expenses. Also, get everything in writing via email if possible - don't just rely on verbal agreements. The key is being proactive and polite but persistent. Don't let them intimidate you into accepting terms you can't afford. Most agents seem willing to work with you if you're genuine about wanting to resolve the debt.

UPDATE: Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions! I found my first paystub in my email (it was sent as a PDF when they first set up direct deposit). For my end date, I checked my bank statements and found the last deposit, then counted back to what would have been my last day based on their pay schedule. I submitted this info to ESD with a note explaining how I determined the dates. The adjudicator called me today and said it matched their records from the employer! My claim has been approved and I should see my first payment next week. Really appreciate all the help from this group!

Congrats on getting it resolved! Your approach of combining the paystub info with bank statement analysis was really smart. It's great that you documented your methodology for ESD too - that probably helped show you were being thorough rather than just guessing. For anyone else reading this thread in the future, this is a perfect example of why it's worth taking the extra time to piece together accurate information rather than estimating. The detective work pays off in the end!