MAKE SURE you keep doing your job search activities during the severance period!!! I messed this up and lost weeks of benefits because I thought I didn't need to do job search until my benefits actually started. You need 3 job search activities each week even during the severance period if you want to claim those weeks later.

One more thing to be aware of: When you report your severance on your initial application, make sure you select the correct classification. There's a difference between "severance pay" and "continuation of wages" in how ESD treats them. Since you're staying on payroll with benefits for 8 weeks, this sounds like continuation of wages. Be very specific when reporting this to avoid adjudication delays.

Summary for anyone else in this situation: You can't collect unemployment while medically unable to work, but once you're cleared by your doctor you can file if you meet all other eligibility requirements. Make sure you have childcare arranged and are genuinely available for work. Document everything and be prepared for potential delays in processing.

I went through something similar with my second baby. One thing that really helped was getting familiar with WorkSource Washington's online resources before I was ready to file. They have career assessment tools and job search workshops that you can access from home. I did some of their online modules during maternity leave so I'd be better prepared when I was ready to actively job search. Also, if you're in a rural area, remember that you can apply for jobs anywhere in the state - remote work options have really expanded since the pandemic. The key is showing Washington ESD that you're serious about finding work once you're physically able. Good luck mama!

Pro tip from someone who's been through this multiple times - keep detailed records of EVERYTHING. Every phone call, every document you submit, every email. You'll thank yourself later if issues come up.

Based on my experience, the timeline really depends on whether your claim goes into adjudication or not. I filed in November after a layoff from a manufacturing plant and got my first payment exactly 17 days later. The one-week waiting period is mandatory, then you file your first weekly claim, and if everything processes smoothly you should see payment within 7-10 business days after that. Make sure you have your direct deposit set up and keep filing those weekly claims even while your initial claim is still pending - that's crucial. Also, since you mentioned the layoff was due to reduced orders, that should be a straightforward separation reason that won't trigger any red flags. Just be patient and keep checking your online account for updates.

This thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with something similar right now - my weekly claim from last week is showing "pending" instead of "paid" with no explanation. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm wondering if this might be related to the same system glitch that caused the disqualification issues. Has anyone else noticed claims getting stuck in "pending" status longer than usual? I'm going to try reaching out through that Claimyr service if it doesn't resolve in the next day or two. It's such a relief to know there are actual solutions and that these technical issues can be fixed quickly once you get through to the right person!

I just want to thank everyone in this thread for sharing their experiences! I'm new to dealing with ESD issues and was completely panicking when I saw "disqualified" on my claim yesterday with zero explanation. Reading through all your responses - especially Lucy's successful resolution - has been incredibly reassuring. It's so frustrating that these system glitches happen, but knowing that others have gone through the same thing and found solutions makes me feel less alone. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service if my determination letter doesn't show up by Friday. This community is such a lifesaver for navigating these confusing ESD problems!

File online if possible - it's faster than calling and you don't have to wait on hold. The online system is available 24/7 too so you can do it right now if you want.

Just wanted to follow up and say I successfully filed my claim online about an hour ago! The process was actually much easier than I expected - took maybe 20 minutes to complete. Now I just need to wait for them to process it and start doing my weekly claims. Really appreciate everyone's advice and encouragement. For anyone else in a similar situation, don't wait like I did - just file as soon as you can!