i got so confusd by all this when i filed!!! the esd website is THE WORST. they dont explain anything clearly. i kept thinking my waiting week meant i did something wrong on my claim lol. but yeah you get 26 actual payment weeks and then your done. also make sure u do your work search activities every week or theyll cut you off!!!

One final clarification that might help: When people refer to "maximum benefits," they're talking about two different limits: 1. Time limit: Up to 26 weeks of payments within your 52-week benefit year 2. Monetary limit: The maximum total dollar amount you can receive (shown on your monetary determination letter) You'll reach the end of your benefits when you hit EITHER of these limits, whichever comes first. Most people hit the time limit first, but if you consistently receive partial payments due to part-time work, you might reach the full 52 weeks before exhausting your monetary maximum.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about filing my claim now. I'll make sure to report the employer issue and keep good documentation. Really appreciate this community.

This is really helpful information for anyone dealing with employer compliance issues. I'm a former HR manager and can confirm that Washington ESD takes non-payment of unemployment insurance premiums very seriously. The investigation process Katherine is going through is standard procedure, and the system is designed to protect workers. One tip I'd add is to also check if your employer was properly classifying you as an employee vs. contractor - misclassification is another common issue that can affect unemployment claims. The good news is that Washington ESD has dedicated staff who handle these complex cases and they're experienced at sorting out employer violations.

Congratulations on your new job! I just went through this same process a few weeks ago. The key is to log into your SecureAccess Washington account and file one final weekly claim for the week you started work - but only claim benefits for the days BEFORE you began working. Make sure to answer "yes" when it asks if you returned to work and provide your start date. After that, don't file any more weekly claims and your claim will close automatically. I'd also recommend taking screenshots of your final submission for your records, just in case there are any questions later. The whole process was actually much easier than I expected!

I went through this exact same situation last year when I landed a new position! The process is actually pretty straightforward once you know what to do. Here's what worked for me: Log into your SecureAccess Washington account and file your final weekly claim for the week you started your new job. The key is to only claim unemployment benefits for the days BEFORE your first day of work. So if you started on a Wednesday, you'd claim Monday and Tuesday of that week. When you're filling out the weekly claim, there will be a question asking if you returned to work - make sure to answer yes and provide your actual start date. After you submit that final claim, you're done! Don't file any more weekly claims and your unemployment claim will automatically close. I also highly recommend taking screenshots of your final submission and keeping records of your start date, just in case there are any questions down the road. The whole thing took me maybe 10 minutes online, way easier than trying to call their busy phone lines. Good luck with the new job!

Best of luck with everything! Being laid off close to retirement is stressful, but at least you have options and some financial support while you figure things out.

I went through something similar when I was laid off from Microsoft at 63. One thing I discovered that might help is that Washington state also has the SharedWork program - it's basically partial unemployment if you find part-time work. This could be perfect for your situation since you're planning to retire in a few years anyway. You can work reduced hours and still collect partial unemployment benefits to make up some of the difference. Might be worth looking into as an option between full unemployment and full-time work.

I'm going through a similar situation right now - had my appeal hearing two weeks ago for a "voluntary quit" determination that was completely wrong (I was actually constructively dismissed). The anxiety while waiting for the decision is absolutely brutal, especially when you're financially stretched thin like you are. From what I've gathered talking to others who've been through this, the timeline really varies but most people seem to get their decision within 2-3 weeks of the hearing. One thing that's helped me stay sane during the wait is knowing that even if there are delays, as long as you keep filing your weekly claims, you'll get backpay for all those weeks if the judge rules in your favor. Hang in there - it sounds like you were well-prepared for your hearing with documentation, which is huge. The fact that you felt it went well is a good sign. I know it's easier said than done, but try to stay positive while we both wait for our decisions!

I'm in a very similar boat - had my appeal hearing 6 days ago for a "job abandonment" determination that was completely bogus (I had to leave due to unsafe working conditions and documented everything). The waiting is absolutely killing me too, especially when you're running on financial fumes like we are. One thing my former coworker mentioned that might help with the anxiety - she said to think of it this way: if your hearing went well and you had good documentation, the judge probably already knows which way they're leaning. The delay is usually just administrative processing and getting the written decision properly formatted, not the judge still deliberating your case. I've been checking my mailbox obsessively every day since Thursday. Really hoping we both get some good news this week! The fact that you felt confident about how your hearing went is definitely encouraging. Stay strong! 💪