Remember you have to file your weekly claim every week even if you haven't received your first payment yet. Miss a week and you lose those benefits permanently.

I was in a similar situation last year - part-time restaurant work and wondering if unemployment was worth the hassle. For someone making $18/hour part-time, you'll probably get somewhere between $250-400 weekly depending on your highest earning quarter. The application process is actually pretty straightforward online, and even if it seems like a lot of work upfront, the benefits can really help while you're looking for something better. Just make sure you have all your employment dates and employer info ready before you start the application. The job search requirements aren't too bad either - 3 activities per week which can include applying for jobs, updating your resume, or even networking. Definitely worth applying if you qualify!

This is such a comprehensive and helpful breakdown! I'm about 6 weeks into filing and can definitely confirm the patterns you've described. I always file online Sunday mornings around 9am and consistently see processing until Tuesday evening, then paid by Wednesday morning, with money hitting my account Thursday afternoon (I use a credit union). What I've found most valuable is tracking my personal timeline like you suggested. I keep a simple spreadsheet with filing time, when it switched to paid, and deposit time. After the first month, I stopped checking eServices obsessively because I knew exactly what to expect. One additional tip for newcomers - if you're worried about a delay, check if there are any alerts or messages in your eServices account before panicking. The system will flag actual issues that need attention, but the standard processing→paid timeline is just normal operations, not a problem with your specific claim. The predictability really does help with financial planning during unemployment. Thanks for taking the time to document these patterns - this kind of real-world data is so much more helpful than ESD's generic timelines!

As someone who's been filing for about 12 weeks now, I can absolutely confirm these timing patterns! I've been keeping detailed notes since week 3 and here's what I've consistently observed: **My personal timeline (filing online Sunday 6pm):** - Processing until Wednesday morning - Paid status by Wednesday afternoon - Funds in account Thursday evening (regional bank) The key insight that took me weeks to figure out is that ESD processes claims in overnight batches, not continuously throughout the day. So whether your claim switches to "paid" at 6am or 6pm on Wednesday doesn't actually affect when the payment gets sent to your bank - they all go out in the same batch that night. **For newcomers stressing about timing:** The first 3-4 weeks are definitely the worst because you don't know what's normal. I was checking eServices literally every hour those first few weeks! Now I only check Thursday evening for my deposit and completely ignore the status updates. **Pro tip:** If you're really anxious about a specific claim, the automated phone status line (dial the main number and follow prompts) updates about 2-3 hours before eServices shows the change. Not that it speeds anything up, but it can ease anxiety when you're waiting for that "paid" status. This thread should honestly be required reading for new filers - the real-world timelines are so much more helpful than ESD's vague "2-3 business days" guidance!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! Adjudication is absolutely nerve-wracking when you're already dealing with financial anxiety. From what you've described, you actually have multiple strong arguments for your case. The 40% hour reduction is huge - that's textbook constructive dismissal, which ESD typically treats more favorably than a standard "quit." Combined with your documented HR complaints about the hostile work environment, you have solid evidence for "good cause" to quit. Don't panic about missing that response deadline! When you call ESD tomorrow at 8 AM (best time to get through), explain you just discovered the message and ask them to reopen your response period. Most agents will work with you if you're honest about the timing. Make sure you emphasize BOTH the hour cuts AND the hostile environment - having multiple valid reasons strengthens your case significantly. Keep all that documentation ready: HR emails, pay stubs showing the reduction, any incident records. Most importantly, KEEP FILING your weekly claims during adjudication! You'll receive backpay for all eligible weeks once it's resolved. I know the waiting is excruciating, but based on your documentation and the constructive dismissal angle, you're in a much stronger position than you think. Hang in there! 💪

I'm going through adjudication right now too (week 2) and this entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea that hour reductions could be considered constructive dismissal - my former employer cut my hours from 40 to 20 per week and then eliminated my health benefits, claiming it was due to "budget constraints." But reading everyone's experiences here makes me realize I might have a stronger case than I thought. The stress of watching your savings disappear while ESD takes their sweet time is absolutely brutal. I've been calling every morning at 8 AM like everyone suggests but haven't gotten through yet. That automated system is seriously maddening! One thing I wanted to add that might help others - I started keeping a detailed log of every phone call attempt (date, time, how far I got in the system, any reference numbers). It's probably overkill but at least it makes me feel like I'm doing something productive instead of just sitting here panicking about my dwindling bank account. Thank you to everyone sharing their stories and advice in this thread - knowing that people with similar situations have successfully made it through adjudication is honestly the only thing keeping me sane right now. This community support has been invaluable during such an isolating and stressful time! 💪

I was in a similar situation as a UW student a couple years ago! One thing that really helped my case was keeping a detailed log of my class schedule alongside my availability for work. I created a weekly calendar showing exactly when I could work (mornings before 10am classes, afternoons between classes, evenings after 6pm, weekends, etc.) and brought that to my phone interview. The adjudicator appreciated seeing that I had genuinely thought through how to balance both school and work. Also, since you worked at the restaurant for 2 years while in school, that's perfect evidence that you can manage both successfully. Make sure to emphasize that track record when you apply!

This is such valuable information! As a current UW student who just lost my work-study position, I had no idea that full-time students could potentially qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington. The detailed calendar idea is genius - I'm going to create one showing my availability around my class schedule. It's reassuring to hear from other students who've successfully navigated this process. Does anyone know if work-study positions count the same as regular employment for meeting the earnings requirements? I worked in the library for about 18 months before budget cuts eliminated my position.

I'm new to this community but came across this thread while searching for info about RESEA appointments. I just received my first notification email and after reading everyone's experiences here, I'm so glad I found this discussion! The email really is vague - it just says "reemployment services appointment" without clearly explaining that it's mandatory or what happens if you miss it. It's really helpful to see how common it is to miss these and that WorkSource is generally understanding about rescheduling. I've already added the appointment to my calendar with multiple reminders and started organizing my job search log just in case. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is going to save a lot of people from the stress of not knowing what to expect!

I'm so glad this thread exists! I just got my RESEA notification last week and was completely confused by the vague language. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful - especially learning that these are handled by WorkSource and not ESD directly. I had no idea missing one would put benefits on hold immediately! For anyone else who's nervous about their upcoming appointment, it sounds like the key things are: bring your job search log with at least 3 activities per week documented, be prepared to discuss your job search strategy, and don't stress too much because the counselors are generally helpful rather than intimidating. The fact that so many people have successfully rescheduled after missing appointments is really reassuring too. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this community is amazing for helping people navigate these confusing government processes!