


Ask the community...
One last thing - if you do decide to apply, don't wait. File as soon as possible after your last day of work because there's usually a processing time before benefits start, and you can't backdate your claim very far.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that your unemployment benefits might affect your eligibility for certain other programs or benefits. For example, if you're getting health insurance through Washington state programs, the unemployment income could potentially impact your qualification levels. Also, if you have student loans, unemployment benefits count as income for income-driven repayment plans, which might increase your monthly payments. It's worth checking how unemployment benefits interact with any other financial assistance you might be receiving.
Thanks everyone for all the advice and information. This has been really helpful and honestly makes me feel less alone in this situation. I'm going to start applying for assistance programs this week and reach out to some of the resources mentioned. Hopefully I'll find something before my benefits run out but at least now I have backup plans.
Hey Malik, I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago and I know how scary it feels. One thing that really helped me was contacting 211 (just dial 2-1-1) - they have a database of local resources and can help you find assistance programs in your specific area that you might not know about. They helped me find a local nonprofit that had emergency utility assistance and even some job placement services. Also, if you're struggling with food costs, don't overlook the food banks - many of them also have connections to other community resources and job opportunities. The key is to start reaching out now while you still have those 3 weeks of benefits coming in. You're not alone in this and there are more resources available than you might realize.
Bottom line: no waiting period in Washington, file immediately, be honest on your application, and start doing your job search activities right away. Most claims go through without issues if you follow the rules and report everything correctly.
Hey Cameron! I just went through this same situation a few months ago. You're getting some conflicting info in the comments, so let me clarify - Washington State eliminated the one-week waiting period back in 2019. You can file your initial claim right away and start collecting benefits from your first week of unemployment if you're approved. Don't wait! File today and make sure to also file your weekly claim for the week you became unemployed. The sooner you get everything submitted, the sooner you'll see your first payment (usually takes about 10 days after filing if there are no issues with your claim).
Don't give up! I know it's incredibly frustrating but most active issues do eventually get resolved. The system is slow and communication is terrible, but keep filing your weekly claims and keep trying to get through to someone who can give you specifics about your case.
I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim 3 weeks ago and it's been showing "active issues" ever since with zero explanation. I've tried calling dozens of times but can never get through. The most frustrating part is not knowing if it's something simple I could fix myself or if it's completely out of my hands. I'm going to try some of the suggestions here like checking at different times of day and looking more carefully through all the message sections. Really hoping this gets resolved soon because I'm running out of savings.
Myles Regis
Thread summary for anyone scrolling: You can't check someone else's UI status directly, but you can report suspected fraud through Washington ESD's online portal or phone line. Make sure you have real evidence, not just suspicions. And if you need to actually talk to Washington ESD, apparently claimyr.com is the way to go since their phones are impossible.
0 coins
Laila Fury
•Thanks for putting that together. Really helpful thread overall.
0 coins
Brian Downey
•yep that covers it, good info for anyone dealing with similar situations
0 coins
Freya Larsen
Just wanted to add that if you do decide to report suspected fraud, keep in mind that Washington ESD investigators are pretty thorough. They'll cross-reference employment records, tax filings, and other data sources to verify claims. So if your ex-partner is legitimately reporting his side work income while collecting partial benefits (which is allowed), the investigation will show that. The system is designed to catch both unreported income AND to protect people who are following the rules correctly.
0 coins