Bottom line: 3 job search activities per week, keep detailed records, make sure your activities are relevant to your field and experience level. Don't overthink it but don't slack off either. Washington ESD is pretty reasonable if you're making a genuine effort.

Just wanted to add that if you're in a specialized field with limited openings, Washington ESD does understand that finding 3 relevant positions to apply for each week can be challenging. In those cases, you can mix in other activities like reaching out to recruiters, attending industry meetups, or doing informational interviews as others mentioned. I work in a niche tech area and my caseworker was understanding when I explained my situation and showed that I was being proactive in other ways. The key is documenting everything and being able to show you're making a genuine effort to find work in your field.

Just want to add that Washington state also has a waiting week requirement - you won't receive benefits for your first week of unemployment even if you're eligible. This is something to factor into your financial planning. Also, if you do part-time or temporary work while collecting benefits, you need to report ALL earnings, even if it's just a few hours. They'll reduce your weekly benefit amount based on what you earn, but you can still receive partial benefits as long as you earn less than 1.5 times your weekly benefit amount.

One thing I'd add about Washington's eligibility requirements is that timing matters a lot for your base period calculation. Since you worked March through November 2024, your base period when you file now (in 2025) would likely be Q2 2023 through Q1 2024 - which might not include much or any of your recent retail job earnings. This is called a "lag quarter" situation and it's really common for newer workers. The good news is that Washington allows you to request an alternate base period that includes more recent quarters if the standard one doesn't give you enough wages to qualify. When you file your claim, make sure to ask about this option if your initial monetary determination comes back as insufficient. It could make the difference between qualifying or not!

Last thing I'll add - if you end up needing to appeal or have complex issues, consider getting help from a legal aid organization. Many offer free assistance for unemployment cases involving disabilities.

I'm going through something very similar right now with anxiety and PTSD. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the modified job search requirements or that therapy appointments counted as valid unavailability reasons. It's reassuring to know that Washington ESD does have accommodations for mental health conditions, even though the process seems overwhelming. I'm planning to get documentation from my psychiatrist and contact WorkSource based on the advice here. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - it makes me feel less alone in dealing with this.

Thanks for posting this question OP. I've been wondering the same thing but was too embarrassed to ask. Mental health struggles are so isolating.

I'm going through something similar right now with panic disorder. One thing that helped me was getting my psychiatrist to write a very detailed letter that specifically mentioned how my condition affects my ability to handle customer interactions, concentrate on tasks, and maintain regular attendance. Washington ESD seems to want concrete examples of how your mental health impacts your specific job duties, not just a general diagnosis. Also, make sure to document any attempts you made to get workplace accommodations before you had to quit. The process is definitely stressful but there are people who do get approved for anxiety-related claims. Hang in there!

Hey Mateo, glad to hear you finally got through to someone! That discrepancy with the last work date is such a common issue but it's frustrating how it can hold up everything for weeks. I went through something similar last year where my employer reported my termination date wrong by just 3 days and it caused a 5-week delay. One thing to keep in mind - even though the agent said 5-7 business days, adjudication can sometimes take a bit longer depending on their backlog. Don't panic if it goes to day 8 or 9. But definitely keep an eye on your claim status and if it hits the 2-week mark with no movement, use Claimyr again to follow up. Also make sure you save all the documentation about this issue (claim numbers, dates you called, what the agent told you) in case you need to reference it later. Hope you get your backpay soon and can catch up on those bills!

This thread is really helpful for understanding the ESD claim process! I'm new to unemployment benefits and just filed my claim last week after being laid off from my retail job. Reading about everyone's experiences with pending claims is both concerning and reassuring - concerning that delays can happen, but reassuring that there are actual solutions like Claimyr and visiting WorkSource in person. I'm going to bookmark this thread and keep these tips in mind if my claim runs into issues. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and advice!