Just want to echo what everyone else said - timing matters a LOT with unemployment claims. File the week you become unemployed, not before and definitely not weeks later. You've got this!

Just wanted to add one more important detail - when you file your initial claim, Washington ESD will send you a monetary determination letter that shows your weekly benefit amount and how long your benefits will last. Keep this letter safe because you'll need it if any issues come up later. Also, if you disagree with the benefit amount or qualification decision, you have a limited time to appeal (I think it's 30 days), so don't ignore that paperwork when it arrives!

Good luck with your job search! The documentation requirements might seem overwhelming at first but once you get into a routine it becomes second nature. And remember, Claimyr is there if you need to clarify anything with ESD directly.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that career counseling sessions with WorkSource or other approved providers count as work search activities too. I've been doing monthly sessions with a career counselor and it's helped me refine my job search strategy while meeting the requirement. Also, don't forget that updating your LinkedIn profile or other professional networking profiles can count - just make sure to document the date and what changes you made. The key is really diversifying your activities so you're not just applying to jobs but also building your professional network and skills.

Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here! As someone who's been through the ESD system twice (once in 2022 and again last year), I wanted to add that keeping detailed records is absolutely crucial - not just for job searches but for any interactions with potential employers about salary negotiations. One thing I learned the hard way: if you do decide to negotiate on salary before declining, make sure to document those conversations too. ESD may ask about any efforts you made to make the position "suitable" before turning it down. In my case, I was able to show that I tried to negotiate the employer up from their initial offer but they weren't willing to budge, which supported my decision to decline. Also, for anyone reading this thread later - the WorkSource offices can be really helpful for reviewing your job search documentation and giving guidance on what constitutes "suitable work" in your specific field. They're often easier to reach than the main ESD line and the counselors there understand the local job market really well. @Mateo Rodriguez - glad you got clarity from ESD directly! That documentation you kept will serve you well if any questions come up later in your claim period.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm also dealing with unemployment for the first time and had no idea that interviews counted toward job search requirements even when you don't get the job. That's such a relief because I've had several interviews over the past two weeks but haven't landed anything yet. The suitable work discussion is eye-opening too. I've been so worried about potentially losing benefits that I was considering taking any offer that came my way, but it sounds like there's more nuance to it than I realized. The budget breakdown approach that @Kelsey Chin mentioned seems like a really smart way to document why a lower wage wouldn't work financially. One question for the group - has anyone had experience with how ESD handles part-time job offers while you're collecting benefits? I might get offered some contract work that's only 15-20 hours per week, and I'm not sure if accepting that would affect my ability to continue receiving partial benefits while I search for full-time work.

Unfortunately, quarterly reviews are standard for all unemployment claims, so you might experience the same issue at the start of April (beginning of Q2 2025). The good news is that now you know what's happening and how to address it. I recommend calling ESD proactively in the last week of March to see if they can prevent the hold from occurring again. Also, because you've contacted them about this issue already, there should be notes in your file that might help avoid the same problem.

Congratulations on finally getting your payments! This thread should be pinned as a resource for others dealing with the same issue. The quarterly review flag seems to be a huge problem that ESD doesn't communicate about at all. For anyone else reading this - it sounds like the key steps are: 1) Use Claimyr or similar service to actually reach an agent, 2) Contact your state representative's office, and 3) Be proactive about future quarterly reviews. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops for benefits we're entitled to, but at least now there's a clear path forward. Thanks for sharing the step-by-step process!

That's exactly what happened to me - there was some missing paperwork I had no idea about. Claimyr definitely earned their fee by getting me connected.

For anyone still waiting on payments, I just wanted to share that mine finally hit my account this morning - exactly 48 hours after showing "paid" status. So the 2-3 business day timeline seems pretty accurate for direct deposit. Also got the missing week payment too after calling Washington ESD yesterday (used that Claimyr service everyone mentioned and it really does work). Hang in there everyone!