Last tip - if you're planning to use Claimyr or try calling Washington ESD directly, Tuesday through Thursday mornings seem to be the best times to get through. Avoid Mondays and Fridays if possible!

I went through this same situation about 3 years ago and can confirm everything others have said about PFML being the right program, not unemployment. One thing I'd add is to start gathering your documentation early - you'll need medical certification from your doctor and employment verification from HR. Also, if you're planning to take leave before the baby arrives (like if you have complications), that can also qualify for PFML under the medical leave portion. The whole process took about 2-3 weeks from application to first payment for me, so definitely don't wait until the last minute to apply!

Update: I went ahead with the password reset following everyone's advice here. Cleared my cache first, made sure I was on the official site, and created a password that met all their requirements. The process went smoothly and I was able to log back in without any issues! Thanks everyone for your help!

Glad to hear everything worked out smoothly for you! Your experience will definitely help other members who might be hesitant about doing the password reset. It's always nerve-wracking when these security prompts come up at critical times, but it sounds like following the proper precautions (clearing cache, verifying the official site, meeting password requirements) really makes the difference. Thanks for coming back to update us with the positive outcome!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this process recently. You absolutely can file for a new unemployment claim after your previous benefits ended, especially since you've been working since then. The key thing that helped me was having all my documentation ready before I started the online application - pay stubs, employer contact information, and exact dates of employment. Washington ESD's system will walk you through everything step by step. Since you were making $800/week part-time, you should qualify for a much better weekly benefit amount than your previous claim. Don't stress too much about it - the process is pretty straightforward once you get started!

I was in almost the exact same situation last year! Filed a new claim in March after my previous benefits ended in September and I had worked temp jobs through the winter. The process was actually smoother the second time around since I knew what to expect. One thing I'd recommend is to file your claim early in the week (like Monday or Tuesday) - I noticed they seem to process new claims faster at the beginning of the week. Also, since you mentioned your part-time job paid well, you'll probably be pleasantly surprised by your new weekly benefit amount. The system calculates it based on your highest earning quarter in the base period, so those higher wages should really help. Good luck with everything!

Just saw this thread and had to add - I work for a company that regularly does layoffs and we've never contested a single legitimate unemployment claim. Any employer who tries to block benefits after a layoff is just being vindictive. Washington ESD will see through it.

I went through a similar situation about 6 months ago when my company did layoffs. My manager made some threatening comments too, but here's what I learned: Washington ESD has pretty strict guidelines about what constitutes valid grounds for contesting a claim. For layoffs specifically, employers need to prove either that it wasn't actually a layoff (like you quit or were fired for cause) or that you don't meet other eligibility requirements. Since you mentioned your whole department was eliminated, that's pretty clear evidence it was a legitimate workforce reduction. The worst case scenario is they contest it and cause some delays, but if you have documentation showing it was truly a layoff, you should be fine. I'd recommend keeping any emails about the layoffs, your termination letter, or anything else that shows the business reason for letting people go.

Hang in there - I know it's incredibly stressful. Try to take care of your mental health during this process too. The uncertainty is really tough to deal with.

I went through this exact same situation last year - 7 weeks in adjudication hell. What finally broke it loose for me was getting my state representative's office involved. I called their constituent services line and explained how the delay was causing financial hardship. They have a direct line to Washington ESD and can sometimes get cases escalated. It took about 2 weeks after I contacted them, but my claim finally moved forward. Worth a shot if all else fails - most rep offices are pretty responsive to unemployment issues since they're affecting so many constituents.