I'm so glad I found this thread! I was panicking when I couldn't find the job search section during my weekly claim filing yesterday. I thought maybe my browser was glitching or something. It's frustrating that they made such a big change without making it super obvious WHERE the new section is located. For anyone else looking for it - when you log into eServices, it's under the "Unemployment Services" menu, then "Job Search Log." It took me forever to find it! I wish they had put up a banner or something during the transition period to let people know about the change.

I'm a new claimant and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I just started filing unemployment claims last week and was confused when I didn't see the job search section during my second weekly filing. I was worried I had done something wrong or missed a step. It's reassuring to know this is a recent system change and not user error on my part. I found the separate Job Search Log section thanks to the navigation instructions here - it's definitely more detailed than I expected. One question though: if I've already been doing job searches but haven't logged them in the system yet, how far back should I go to enter them? Should I just start fresh from this week or try to backfill previous weeks?

I just wanted to jump in here since I went through this exact same nightmare about 3 months ago! The "Separation from job" upload is absolutely critical - don't ignore it like I did for the first month. My hours got cut from 32/week down to 6-8 hours at my retail job, and I was so confused about what to upload since I didn't have any formal paperwork. What finally worked for me was creating a comprehensive document that included: 1) A detailed timeline of when my hours started getting reduced, 2) Screenshots of my work schedules showing the decline, 3) My last few paystubs clearly showing the dramatic drop in pay, and 4) A written statement explaining how the hour reduction made it impossible to pay rent and basic expenses. The most important thing I learned is that ESD needs to see you had "good cause" for leaving - and significant hour reductions absolutely qualify! They call it "constructive discharge" which basically means your employer made working conditions so bad that any reasonable person would quit. After I uploaded everything, my adjudication was resolved in about 12 days and I was approved. Don't wait like I did - get that documentation uploaded ASAP! The system is frustrating but they really do process claims once they have what they need to make a decision.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! My manufacturing job cut my hours from 40/week down to maybe 15-20 hours over the course of a few months, and I finally had to quit because I couldn't afford my car payment anymore. Like everyone else here, I was totally confused about what to upload for the "Separation from job" requirement. After reading through all these responses, I'm feeling way more confident about what I need to do. I've got my old timesheets saved, some emails with my supervisor about the reduced schedule, and a few text messages where I complained about not getting enough hours. Sounds like creating a detailed timeline with specific dates and including all of this as supporting evidence is the way to go. The "constructive discharge" concept makes so much sense - they basically forced me out by making the job financially unviable. I had no idea that was actually a legitimate reason that ESD recognizes for unemployment eligibility. I've been beating myself up thinking they'd automatically deny me for "voluntarily quitting" but clearly that's not how it works when you can document that your employer made continued employment impossible. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and timelines - it's incredibly helpful to see real examples of what worked for other people in similar situations!

Wednesday gang checking in! Set up alerts on your bank app so you know exactly when it hits. My credit union sends me a text the second any deposit comes through.

Just wanted to add that if you're switching from paper checks to direct deposit, there might be a one-time delay while they update your payment method in the system. When I made the switch, my first direct deposit came on Thursday instead of Wednesday, but after that it was back to the normal Wednesday schedule. Washington ESD customer service told me this is pretty common when changing payment methods.

Bottom line: file your claim if you're eligible. Don't let worry about your former employer stop you from getting benefits you've earned through your work history. The system is designed to be fair to both sides.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago. Yes, your employer will be notified, but honestly it turned out to be much less dramatic than I expected. I was terrified my former manager would make things difficult, but Washington ESD handled everything professionally. The key thing is to be truthful in your application and keep any documentation about your termination. Even if your employer does respond to the notification, it doesn't automatically mean they'll contest your claim. Most of the time they just acknowledge receipt and that's it. Don't let fear keep you from filing - you've paid into this system and deserve the support while you're looking for new work.

I went through something similar with a $2,100 overpayment from Washington ESD about 6 months ago. Initially I was terrified and considered ignoring it too, but after reading horror stories online about wage garnishments and credit damage, I decided to be proactive. The hardest part was actually getting through to speak with someone - their phone system is absolutely terrible. I probably called 50+ times over two weeks before finally connecting with an agent. Once I did get through, they were actually pretty reasonable about setting up a payment plan. I'm now paying $65/month which is manageable for my budget. The key is contacting them before they start collection actions - once that process begins, you have much less negotiating power. Don't make this harder on yourself by waiting.

I was in almost the exact same situation with Washington ESD last year - $2,400 overpayment that I initially thought about ignoring because I was broke. Big mistake to even consider it. They have serious collection powers and will absolutely use them. I ended up having my tax refund intercepted before I could get a payment plan set up, which really hurt since I was counting on that money. The interest they charge (1% per month) also adds up fast. My advice is to contact them immediately and be completely honest about your financial situation. Most agents will work with you on a reasonable payment plan if you're proactive about it. Just don't wait - every month you delay makes it more expensive and limits your options.