This whole discussion shows how complicated unemployment can be for school employees. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge!

I'm a cafeteria worker too and just went through this exact situation last month! I ended up calling Washington ESD using that Claimyr service someone mentioned - it really does work. The agent told me that even with a contract, if your hours can change significantly or if there's any uncertainty about your actual position (like budget cuts, enrollment changes, etc.), you might still qualify. She said the "reasonable assurance" rule isn't as black and white as it seems. Definitely worth applying even if you think you might get denied initially. The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised! Also keep all your employment paperwork - contract, job description, anything showing how your hours might vary.

Just want to add that you should also have your bank routing and account numbers ready for direct deposit setup - it's much faster than waiting for a debit card to arrive in the mail. And don't worry if the system seems slow or glitchy, especially during peak hours. Just be patient and save your progress frequently. The Washington ESD website can be finicky but it will get you through the process. You're doing the right thing by filing quickly after your job loss!

Just to add to all the great advice here - make sure you understand the difference between your "date last worked" and your "date of separation." Sometimes people get confused because their last day of work might be different from when they were actually notified about the layoff. Use your actual last day of work for the application. Also, if you're eligible for any severance pay, that might affect when your benefits can start, so be upfront about that too. The Washington ESD system will walk you through these questions, but it helps to think about them beforehand. Good luck with your filing!

I'm in a similar situation - filed about 3 weeks ago and been in adjudication for 2 weeks now. The waiting is awful when you're worried about bills! One thing I learned from calling ESD (took me 47 tries to get through) is that you can check if there are any outstanding issues by logging into your eServices account and looking under "Issues and Determinations." Sometimes there are action items you need to complete that aren't obvious from the main dashboard. Also, make sure your contact info is current because they sometimes try to reach you and if they can't, it delays everything even more. Hang in there - from what I'm reading here it sounds like most people do eventually get approved, it's just the waiting that's brutal.

Just wanted to add that if you're really struggling financially while waiting, you might also want to look into your local food banks and see if your utility companies have hardship programs. Most major utilities in Washington will work with you on payment plans if you explain you're waiting on unemployment benefits. I had to do this when my claim took 5 weeks - called Puget Sound Energy and they gave me a 60-day extension on my bill with no fees. Also, if you have any credit cards, call them too - many will defer payments if you're temporarily unemployed. It's not ideal but can help bridge the gap until ESD gets their act together. The stress of waiting is bad enough without worrying about getting your power shut off!

Just wanted to add that the timing of when suitable work requirements change can vary based on your individual circumstances too. While 13 weeks is a common milestone, factors like your occupation, local job market conditions, and even seasonal employment patterns can affect when Washington ESD expects you to expand your search criteria. I learned this the hard way when I assumed I had more time to be selective. It's really worth getting personalized guidance about your specific situation rather than relying on general timelines.

Reading through all this has been really enlightening! I'm in a similar situation to the original poster - been unemployed for about 8 weeks now from a project management role. The 80% wage rule for the first 13 weeks gives me some relief that I don't have to jump at every minimum wage offer right away. I've been keeping detailed records in both a personal spreadsheet and WorkSourceWA, but I'm still nervous about potentially making the wrong decision if I get a job offer that's borderline suitable. The advice about getting personalized guidance really resonates - it seems like there are so many individual factors that could affect what's considered suitable work for each person's specific situation.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much more confident about filling out my work search activities now. This thread has been super useful.

I've been dealing with this same confusion! One thing that really helped me was setting up a dedicated folder on my phone to screenshot every online application confirmation page right after I submit. I also keep a simple notes app entry for each activity with the basic details - makes it so much easier to transfer everything to WorkSourceWA later. The key is being consistent and not overthinking it. As long as you're genuinely looking for work and documenting your efforts, you should be fine. The 3 activities per week is really manageable once you get into a routine.