One last thought - keep documenting everything during this waiting period. Save emails, take screenshots of your account status, keep records of when you file weekly claims. It's all useful if you need to appeal or if there are any issues later.

I'm in a similar situation - been waiting 3 weeks for a determination on a contested separation issue. One thing that's helped me stay sane is setting up a simple spreadsheet to track my weekly claim filings and any status changes. Also, make sure you have all your documentation ready (termination notices, emails, etc.) because if they do contact you for additional info, you want to respond quickly to avoid further delays. The waiting is brutal but at least we're not alone in this process!

Had a friend who thought benefits lasted longer and didn't start seriously job hunting until week 20. Big mistake - barely found something before benefits ran out and had to take a job paying way less than what he was hoping for.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is that Washington also has a SharedWork program that can help extend your benefits if your employer participates. Instead of being fully laid off, you work reduced hours and get partial unemployment benefits to make up some of the difference. This can help your regular benefits last longer since you're not using full weekly benefit amounts. Not all employers participate, but it's worth asking about if you're facing hour reductions rather than a full layoff.

The Washington ESD system has so many quirks and outdated elements. I wouldn't be surprised if 'days opt' is just a leftover from an old system that they never fully cleaned up when they did updates. The important numbers are your weekly benefit amount and your remaining balance - everything else is just noise.

I've been dealing with Washington ESD for a while now and I think I might know what you're seeing. Sometimes the system displays legacy field names that don't really apply anymore. The 'days opt' reference could be from an older version of the interface that tracked optional work search activities or something similar. Like others have mentioned, the key thing is your remaining benefit balance divided by your weekly benefit amount - that gives you your remaining weeks. Don't stress too much about obscure terminology in the system, focus on keeping your weekly claims filed on time and meeting your work search requirements. The Washington ESD interface isn't the most user-friendly but the core functionality works if you stick to the basics.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about filing my weekly claims now. This community is so much more helpful than trying to navigate the Washington ESD website on my own.

I went through this same confusion when I first started filing! One thing that really helped me was printing out the weekly claim confirmation page each time I submitted. That way I had a record of exactly what I reported and when I filed. Also, if you're ever unsure about how to answer a specific question, there are usually little help icons next to each question that explain what they're looking for. Don't rush through it - take your time to read everything carefully since you can't edit once you submit.

I went through this exact situation last year when my company did layoffs. A few things that really helped me that I don't see mentioned yet: 1. **Get your final paystub ASAP** - You'll need it for the application and it shows your exact last day worked. Don't rely on memory for dates. 2. **Check if your company offers any severance** - Even a week or two can help bridge the gap. If they do, make sure you understand how it affects your unemployment timing. 3. **Apply for emergency assistance programs NOW** - Many counties have emergency rental assistance that can help while you wait for unemployment. Don't wait until you're behind on bills. 4. **Start networking immediately** - The job search requirement is real, so get ahead of it. Update your LinkedIn, reach out to contacts, etc. The anxiety is totally normal - I barely slept the week before my layoff. But following the advice here (especially about getting that separation letter and being super careful with dates) really does help things go smoother. You've got this!

Just wanted to add one more thing that saved me a lot of headache - if you're using direct deposit (which I highly recommend), make sure your bank account information is 100% correct. Double and triple check the routing and account numbers. A friend of mine had ONE digit wrong in her routing number and it took an extra 3 weeks to get sorted out because the payment bounced back and then had to go through their whole correction process. She had to wait for a paper check to be mailed, which added even more delay. Also, if you have any old unemployment claims from years past (even if you never received benefits), make sure you know that information. Sometimes the system pulls up old claims and it can cause confusion during the application process. You're asking all the right questions and preparing well - that's going to help a lot. The unknown is always the scariest part, but you're being proactive about it which puts you ahead of many people who just wing it.