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I'm dealing with this same issue right now! Just got my first unemployment payment on the ReliaCard and had no idea about all these daily limits. Reading through everyone's suggestions has been super helpful. I'm definitely going to set up direct deposit to my regular bank account ASAP to avoid this headache in the future. It's really frustrating that they don't clearly explain these limits when you first get the card - seems like basic information people would need to know when planning their expenses. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and workarounds!
You're absolutely right about them not explaining the limits clearly! I wish someone had warned me about all this when I first got my ReliaCard. Setting up direct deposit is definitely the way to go - I'm going to do the same thing after this whole mess. It's frustrating that we have to learn about these restrictions the hard way when we're already dealing with enough stress from being unemployed. At least this thread will hopefully help other people avoid the same surprise we all went through!
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm new to unemployment and just got my first ReliaCard payment last week. Had no idea about these daily limits and was planning to pay my rent the same way you tried. After reading everyone's experiences, I'm definitely going to switch to direct deposit ASAP and maybe try splitting larger payments across multiple days if I'm stuck with the card. It's really unfortunate that ESD doesn't make these limitations more transparent upfront - seems like basic info they should provide when issuing the cards. Thanks to everyone for sharing your workarounds and experiences, this is exactly the kind of practical advice newcomers like me need!
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Also worth mentioning - if you're really struggling while waiting, some utility companies in Washington have hardship programs or payment plans you can set up. I called my electric company when I was waiting for my unemployment and they let me defer my bill for 60 days with no late fees. Many landlords are also understanding if you explain the situation and show them documentation of your pending unemployment claim. It's definitely stressful but there are options to help get through those first few weeks.
This is all really great advice! I had no idea there were so many resources available while waiting for unemployment to process. The utility company payment plan idea is especially helpful - I was worried about my gas bill but didn't think to just call and explain the situation. It's good to know that most companies and even landlords can be understanding when you're transparent about temporary unemployment. Thanks for sharing these practical tips for getting through the waiting period!
Don't forget that Washington state also has a WorkFirst program that can provide temporary cash assistance while you're waiting for unemployment benefits to kick in. It's administered through DSHS and can sometimes be processed faster than unemployment. You'd need to apply through Washington Connection, but it might help cover basic needs during those first few weeks. Also, if you have dependents, the timeline for WorkFirst can be even quicker. Just another option to consider while navigating this waiting period!
That's really useful information about WorkFirst! I hadn't heard of that program before. It sounds like it could be a lifesaver for people with kids especially. Do you know if there are income limits or other eligibility requirements for WorkFirst? I'm trying to figure out all my options while I wait for my unemployment claim to get processed, and every bit of assistance could help right now.
WorkFirst does have eligibility requirements - you need to have very low income and assets, and there are work requirements similar to unemployment. The income limits vary based on family size, but it's designed for families with children primarily. You can check your eligibility and apply online through Washington Connection, same portal as for Basic Food benefits. Even if you don't qualify, it's worth checking out the other emergency assistance programs they list on the DSHS website. Sometimes there are one-time emergency grants available for utilities or rent that don't have the same ongoing eligibility requirements.
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Good luck with this. It's a tough situation to navigate but there might be options available to you.
Thanks everyone for all the advice. At least now I know what questions to ask.
I went through something similar a few years ago. The key thing I learned is that Washington ESD looks at your "able and available" status very carefully when you have any kind of disability benefits. They'll want documentation showing exactly what kind of work you can do, how many hours, and proof that you're actively searching for jobs within those parameters. I had to provide letters from my doctors, keep detailed job search logs, and be prepared for a longer adjudication process. It's definitely worth exploring if you can truly work part-time - just be very thorough with your documentation from the start.
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I went through a similar situation about 6 months ago as a graphic designer. Washington ESD's determination really comes down to the specific details of your working relationship. The non-compete agreement you mentioned is actually a strong indicator that you might have been misclassified - true independent contractors typically shouldn't be restricted from working with competitors. Also, if they provided training specific to their processes (not just general industry training), that's another factor in your favor. Document everything you can find - emails where they directed your work methods, any company policies you had to follow, whether you had set work hours, etc. The adjudication process took about 6 weeks for me, but I was ultimately approved after they determined I was functioning more like an employee than a contractor.
This is really helpful! I'm curious about the training aspect - my client did provide specific training on their internal systems and project management tools. They also had me follow their coding standards and review processes. Would those count as factors supporting employee classification? Also, did you have to appeal the decision or did they approve you on the initial determination?
I'm in a similar boat as a freelance software developer - been working primarily for one client for about 18 months and they just terminated our contract. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like the key is really in the details of how they controlled your work. In my case, they required me to use their project management software, attend daily standup meetings, and follow their specific development workflows. I also had to get approval for any time off, which seems more like an employee relationship. Has anyone dealt with Washington ESD's adjudication process recently? I'm wondering if they're being more strict about these determinations given all the misclassification issues that have come up in the gig economy.
Your situation sounds very similar to mine! The daily standups and approval for time off are definitely red flags that suggest employee treatment. From what I've gathered talking to others who've gone through this process recently, Washington ESD seems to be taking a closer look at these cases, especially in tech where misclassification is common. The fact that you had to use their specific workflows and get approval for time off could work in your favor. I'd definitely document all those requirements they had for you - meeting attendance records, emails about their development processes, anything showing they controlled when and how you worked. The adjudication might take a while, but it sounds like you have some solid evidence of employee-like treatment.
Mei-Ling Chen
I just want to echo what everyone else has said - you're definitely overthinking this! I was in almost the exact same situation about 6 months ago when I needed a loan to cover utilities while job hunting. The way I understood it from ESD's perspective is that they only care about money you EARN, not money you RECEIVE. Since you'll have to pay the loan back, it's not earnings or income in their eyes. I kept filing my weekly claims the whole time and never had any issues. The important thing is to stay consistent with your filing schedule and keep up with your job search requirements. Don't let financial stress make you second-guess the basics - you've got this! And honestly, taking care of your housing situation with a loan is probably going to help your job search anyway since you'll have more stability and less stress. Just make sure to document your job search activities as usual and you'll be fine.
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NeonNova
•This is such a helpful way to frame it - focusing on what you EARN vs what you RECEIVE really clarifies the distinction! I love how you pointed out that taking care of housing with the loan will actually help with job searching by reducing stress. That's so true - it's hard to focus on interviews and applications when you're worried about basic needs like rent. Your point about staying consistent with filing is spot on too. It sounds like as long as I keep doing everything else right (job search activities, filing weekly, staying available for work), the loan is just a non-factor in the ESD system. Really appreciate the encouragement and practical perspective!
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GalaxyGlider
I'm really glad you asked this question because I was wondering the same thing! I'm currently receiving unemployment benefits and my car broke down last week. I've been considering getting a small personal loan to fix it since I need reliable transportation for job interviews. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful - it's clear that loans don't count as reportable income for ESD purposes since they're not earnings from work. The distinction everyone's making between money you EARN versus money you BORROW really makes sense. I was also worried about potentially skipping a week of filing, but now I understand that would be a huge mistake that could mess up my entire claim. It's reassuring to know that I can handle this car repair situation without it affecting my unemployment benefits, as long as I keep filing my weekly claims and doing my job search activities. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating these confusing situations!
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