Regarding your question about the pension - yes, definitely address both issues in your appeal hearing. Start by acknowledging the pension and explaining that you disclosed it from the beginning and understood it would reduce (not eliminate) your benefits. Then move on to the documentation issue as the main reason for the improper denial. Also, check if the denial letter specifies exactly which documents they claim are missing. Sometimes they'll list specific items, which helps you focus your appeal on those particular documents.

I'm going through something very similar right now! ESD denied my claim twice saying they never received my bank statements, even though I have confirmation emails showing successful uploads. What's really helped me is keeping a detailed log of every interaction - dates, times, representative names, and exactly what they told me. One thing that might help while you're waiting for your appeal: contact your local WorkSource office. They have staff who specialize in ESD issues and can sometimes escalate cases directly. The one near me actually called ESD on my behalf and got through to someone with more authority than the regular phone agents. Also, if you haven't already, try uploading your documents in PDF format instead of images. I read somewhere that their system processes PDFs more reliably. Worth a shot while you're preparing for the hearing! Hang in there - you're not alone in this mess. The system is definitely broken but people do eventually get through it.

Been working part-time while on UI for 6 months now. The key is understanding that formula: WBA minus (gross wages minus $5). Once you get that, it's straightforward.

Thanks for asking this question! I was in a similar situation last year working part-time retail while collecting benefits. The earnings calculation can be confusing at first, but once you understand the formula (WBA minus gross wages minus $5), it becomes much clearer. I found it helpful to calculate my expected benefit amount before each weekly claim so there were no surprises. Just make sure you're reporting your exact hours worked and gross wages - don't try to estimate or round. The system is actually pretty fair about allowing part-time work while you search for full-time employment. Good luck with your job search!

Final thought - if anyone runs into issues with their Washington ESD claim or has questions that need direct answers from an agent, don't forget about services like Claimyr that can help you get through their phone system. Sometimes talking to a real person is the only way to get definitive answers.

I went through something similar when I got laid off from my software engineering position making around $85K. I was so worried that Washington ESD would think I made "too much money" to qualify for benefits, but it turns out that's not how the system works at all. Your previous earnings actually help you get a higher weekly benefit amount, not disqualify you. The eligibility is based on having sufficient work history and earnings in your base period, plus meeting the ongoing requirements like job searching. Don't stress about your salary level - focus on filing your claims on time and documenting your job search activities properly.

this thread should be pinned, super useful info about payment timing that everyone needs to know

Just wanted to add my experience - I'm a newcomer to Washington unemployment and was also confused about payment timing at first. I've been filing every Sunday morning and consistently getting paid on Tuesday (I have Bank of America). The key thing I learned is to file as early as possible on Sunday and make sure all your work search activities are logged properly. Also, the ESD website payment calendar that Marcus mentioned is really helpful for planning - it shows you exactly which Tuesday or Wednesday your payment will come based on your filing week. Hope this helps other newcomers!

Bottom line - take the severance, file for unemployment, be honest about both. Washington state is generally pretty reasonable about this stuff compared to some other states. You're dealing with a layoff situation which is exactly what unemployment benefits are designed for.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when my company did layoffs. I was so worried about messing something up, but it turned out to be much more straightforward than I expected. I received a $12,000 severance package and was still able to collect full unemployment benefits from Washington ESD. The key thing that helped me was calling them directly (eventually got through after many attempts) and just being completely upfront about the severance during my initial interview. The representative told me that as long as it's a true severance payment and not wages for a specific notice period, it doesn't affect eligibility. I'd recommend documenting everything about your severance agreement and being prepared to explain the details when you file. Washington ESD seems to handle these situations pretty routinely - you're definitely not the first person to be in this spot!