I totally understand your concern about not wanting to hurt your employer - it shows you're a thoughtful person! But honestly, you shouldn't feel guilty about this at all. When I filed after my hours were drastically reduced, I learned that unemployment insurance is literally designed for exactly these situations. Your employer has been paying unemployment taxes all along specifically to fund this system, so when you file a claim, the benefits don't come directly out of their pocket - they come from the state insurance fund. Think of it like any other insurance policy they carry. Yes, their rates might go up slightly in future years if they have multiple claims, but that's spread out over time and across their entire workforce, so your individual claim won't make a huge impact. Most employers understand this is just part of the cost of having employees, especially during slow periods when they need to reduce hours instead of doing layoffs. You've earned the right to these benefits through your work, and using them when your income drops significantly is exactly what the system is there for!

I just want to echo what everyone else is saying - you really don't need to worry about your employer! I was in almost the exact same situation about 6 months ago when my hours got cut from full-time to barely part-time. I was so anxious about filing that I put it off for weeks, but when I finally did, my old supervisor actually said "I was wondering when you were going to file for that!" Apparently they get these notices all the time and it's just routine paperwork for them. The benefits came from the state fund, not their budget, and while I know their unemployment tax rate might go up a tiny bit eventually, my supervisor said that's already factored into their business planning. Don't let worry about your employer keep you from getting the financial support you've earned and deserve. The system is working exactly as intended when someone like you, who lost income through no fault of their own, gets help while looking for better employment opportunities.

Wow, this thread has become an amazing resource! As someone who's been dealing with ReliaCard issues for months, I wish I had found this community sooner. The detailed breakdown of all the workarounds is incredibly helpful - especially the multiple grocery store money order strategy and the timing tips for maximizing ATM withdrawals. It's really frustrating how ESD provides such minimal information about these ReliaCard restrictions upfront. The one-transaction daily limit at US Bank branches should be clearly explained when they mail the card, not something people have to discover during stressful situations when they need to access their benefits for essential expenses. I made the switch to direct deposit about two months ago after dealing with similar withdrawal headaches, and it's been such a relief. The 7-10 day processing time felt long when I was in the middle of a crisis, but having that predictable direct access to funds has eliminated so much stress around payment timing and withdrawal limits. For anyone new to this thread - definitely save all these strategies! The community knowledge here is honestly more comprehensive and useful than any official ESD guidance I've received. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and solutions!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I just got my ReliaCard last week and had no idea about any of these withdrawal restrictions. It's pretty concerning that ESD doesn't clearly communicate these limitations upfront - the one-transaction-per-day rule at US Bank branches should definitely be prominently displayed when they send the card, not something you discover when you're stressed about paying rent or other essential expenses. I'm definitely going to bookmark all these workarounds (money orders at grocery stores, ATM + cash back combinations, etc.) just in case I run into similar issues. The detailed strategies everyone has shared here are honestly more useful than any official ESD documentation I've received. Based on all the positive feedback about direct deposit, I think I'm going to proactively make that switch before I encounter any withdrawal headaches. The 7-10 day processing time seems worth it to avoid these ReliaCard limitations entirely. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences - this community knowledge is invaluable for navigating all these ESD quirks!

This has been the most helpful unemployment thread I've read! Bookmarking this for future reference.

Just wanted to add one more tip based on my experience - when you file your weekly claims, be very precise about the severance amount you report. I made the mistake of rounding to the nearest dollar the first few weeks and Washington ESD flagged my account for review. They want the exact amount down to the cent, so keep your severance documentation handy when filing each week. It's a small detail but can save you a lot of headaches later.

just wondering...did they tell u how long ur claim would be in adjudication for? mines been in that status for 5 weeks now and idk what to do

I just went through this exact same thing two weeks ago! Got the scary voicemail and panicked just like you. Here's what I learned: the adjudicator is required to give you a reasonable opportunity to respond, but "reasonable" is subjective. In my case, I called back within 24 hours and had the interview the next day. During the call, be prepared to explain not just what happened, but WHY it happened. For performance issues, focus on specifics - were you given clear performance metrics? Did you receive proper training? Were the expectations communicated in writing? If your manager kept changing expectations without proper documentation or training, that actually works in your favor. Also, don't be afraid to ask the adjudicator questions during your call. They're supposed to be neutral fact-finders, not advocates for your employer. Ask them to clarify anything your employer claimed that doesn't match your experience. The whole process took about a week from my phone interview to getting the approval decision. You've got this - just call them back ASAP and be honest but thorough in explaining your side!

Congratulations on landing the new job! You're absolutely right to be careful about this - it shows you're thinking ahead and want to avoid any potential issues. Based on what everyone has shared here, the process is refreshingly simple: just file your final weekly claim for this current week (since you haven't started working yet), then stop filing completely once you begin work on Monday. No special cancellation forms or procedures needed - your claim will automatically become inactive but remain open for the full benefit year as a safety net. I'd definitely recommend taking screenshots of your final claim confirmation and keeping your job start documentation together, just for your own peace of mind. The key is being completely honest about your work status and not filing any claims once you're working full-time. Washington ESD's system is designed to handle this transition smoothly when people simply stop filing when they're no longer eligible. You're being smart to handle this properly from the start rather than risk any complications later. Best of luck with your new position!

Congratulations on the new job! You're definitely on the right track by being cautious about this. I just went through the exact same situation about 3 months ago and had all the same worries. The good news is that everyone here is absolutely right - you simply stop filing your weekly claims once you start working full-time. There's no special cancellation process or forms to fill out. Just file your final weekly claim for this current week (since you haven't started working yet), then don't file anymore once you begin Monday. Your claim will automatically go inactive but stay open for the full benefit year as a backup, which is actually really reassuring. I'd definitely recommend taking screenshots of your final claim confirmation and keeping your job offer letter - having that documentation saved me some anxiety later when I wondered if I'd handled everything correctly. The most important thing is just being honest about your work status and not filing any claims while you're employed full-time. You're being smart to get this right from the start rather than risk any overpayment issues down the road. Best of luck with your new position!