mine is working now btw. just filed my claim. try again. i think they fixed whatever was wrong

I've been dealing with similar issues all morning! What worked for me was switching to mobile data instead of WiFi - seems like the security system might be flagging certain IP ranges. Also, if you're still having trouble, try accessing the site through the mobile app if you have it downloaded. The app seems to handle their server load better than the web version. Hope this helps and glad to see others were able to get through!

One more thing - if your plant closure involves more than 50 employees, ESD might have a specialized rapid response team to help everyone. Ask your union rep if ESD has been notified of the mass layoff. Sometimes they set up special processes for large closures.

I'm going through a similar situation right now with my company's closure. From what I've learned talking to others who've been through this, the key is being completely transparent with ESD about everything you receive and when. My approach has been to report ALL payments when I file my weekly claims, but include detailed notes about what each payment represents (severance vs vacation vs WARN compensation). This way there's a clear paper trail showing I'm not trying to hide anything. Also, don't stress too much about the phone situation - I've found that ESD's online chat feature during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening) sometimes gets you through faster than calling. You can also try calling right when they open at 8am on weekdays. The most important thing is documenting your attempts to get clarification and being honest about what you received. Good luck with everything!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I'm feeling much more confident about taking this part-time job and still collecting partial benefits. This thread has been super helpful.

I've been in a similar situation and can share what I learned from experience. In Washington state, there's no specific hour limit - it's all about your weekly earnings compared to your weekly benefit amount. You can work part-time and still receive partial unemployment benefits as long as your gross weekly earnings don't exceed your weekly benefit amount plus $5. So if your weekly benefit is $350, you could earn up to $355 before losing benefits completely. With your offer of 15 hours at $18/hour ($270 per week), you should still qualify for partial benefits. The key is to report ALL your work hours and gross earnings accurately on your weekly claim - even if it's just one hour. Washington ESD will automatically calculate your partial benefit amount. Also remember you still need to be available for full-time work and continue your job search activities. Don't let fear of losing benefits prevent you from taking work - the system is designed to encourage part-time employment while you search for full-time work.

Washington ESD should really make this clearer on their website. I was confused about the payment methods too when I first filed.

Just wanted to add that if you're still waiting for your first payment to process, you can check the status in your eServices account under "Payment Information." The debit card usually ships within a few days of your first payment being issued, not when you're approved. So there might be a bit of a delay between approval and actually getting the card. Also, if you move during this time, make sure to update your address with both Washington ESD AND KeyBank separately - they handle different parts of the process.

just want to say good luck with the coding bootcamp! my cousin did one last year and now makes like $95k at Amazon. totally worth it even if ESD gives you a hard time about CATS

I actually got approved for CATS for a data analytics bootcamp back in December! Took about 6 weeks to hear back, which was nerve-wracking but worth the wait. A few things that I think helped my application: 1) I included documentation showing the bootcamp was accredited and had partnerships with local employers, 2) I wrote a detailed explanation of how the skills would help me find work in my previous field (marketing) plus open up new opportunities, and 3) I made sure to emphasize that data analysis is listed as a high-demand occupation in Washington. The waiting period was stressful but my benefits continued normally while they reviewed everything. Once approved, not having to do job searches was such a relief since the bootcamp is pretty intensive. One thing to note - they do check in periodically to make sure you're making satisfactory progress, so keep your grades/completion records handy. Really hoping it works out for you too! The tech field definitely qualifies as in-demand so you should have a good shot.