Just wanted to add my experience - I was in a similar situation last year and also used Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD. The agent I spoke with emphasized that the timing of when you report the 401k withdrawal matters. Make sure you report it in the week you actually receive the funds, not when you initiate the withdrawal. Also, keep in mind that even though it won't affect your weekly benefit amount, Washington ESD may still ask follow-up questions about large lump sum payments, so having all your documentation ready helps speed up the process.

Just to add another perspective - I'm a financial advisor and see this situation a lot. Before cashing out your 401k, consider if your plan offers hardship withdrawals instead of a full distribution. Many plans allow hardship withdrawals for preventing eviction or foreclosure, and while you still pay the 10% penalty, you can often withdraw just what you need rather than the full balance. This preserves more of your retirement savings. Also, some plans have provisions for unemployment-related hardships that might have more favorable terms. It's worth calling your 401k provider directly to ask about all available options before doing a standard early withdrawal.

Good luck with your appeal! Based on what you found in eServices, it sounds like you have a really strong case since they clearly missed one of your employers. Just wanted to add - when you submit your appeal, also include a brief cover letter explaining that ESD failed to count wages from your previous employer and attach copies of ALL your wage documentation (W-2s, final paystubs, etc.). The more documentation you provide upfront, the faster they can process your appeal. Also, about that mysterious CAT approval - I've seen this happen when people have similar names or SSNs get mixed up in their system. Definitely worth asking about when you get through to them. Keep us posted on how it goes!

This happened to my coworker too! She got denied for hours but approved for CAT on the same day. Turns out ESD's system processes different types of applications separately, so you can get approved for training eligibility even if your main UI claim is denied. The CAT approval basically just sits there waiting until/if you qualify for regular benefits. Definitely appeal that denial since you found they missed your previous employer - that's exactly the kind of mistake that gets overturned. And yeah, keep filing weekly claims during the appeal process! The whole system is confusing but you're on the right track now.

Bottom line - 26 weeks maximum, file weekly, keep detailed job search records, and use the time wisely. That's the reality of the system in Washington state right now.

Just wanted to add that you should also be aware of the "waiting week" - in Washington, you typically don't get paid for your first week of unemployment. So even though you can claim for up to 26 weeks, you'll usually only receive payment for 25 weeks unless there are special circumstances. This caught me off guard when I first filed my claim a few months ago. Make sure to factor this into your financial planning!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! This thread answered way more questions than I even knew I had.

This is super helpful! I'm in a similar boat making around $1,400/week and was worried about what would happen if I got laid off. So if I understand correctly, even though we make good money, we're still capped at that $844 maximum? That's a pretty big drop from what we're used to earning. Does anyone know if there are any other programs or assistance available in Washington to help bridge that gap?

Congratulations Emily! It's so great to see someone finally get clarity on their WBA after all the confusion. Your $847 weekly amount is actually pretty solid - that should definitely help while you're job searching. Just wanted to add that once you start receiving payments, keep all your paperwork organized for tax time since unemployment benefits are taxable income. Also, if you haven't already, consider setting up direct deposit if Washington ESD offers it - saves time compared to waiting for checks in the mail. Best of luck with your job search!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this same confusion a few months ago! Emily, you're definitely not alone in being confused about WBA - Washington ESD really doesn't explain these acronyms well at all. The good news is that $847 is a solid weekly amount and will make a real difference while you're job hunting. One thing I learned the hard way is to screenshot or print your benefit determination letter that shows how they calculated your WBA - it's helpful to have for your records and if you ever need to reference it later. Also, since you mentioned you're new to this, make sure you understand the difference between your claim effective date and when you can actually start filing weekly claims. Sometimes there's a waiting period. Good luck with everything!