I had this exact same issue a couple weeks ago and it was driving me crazy! Turns out I was overthinking it completely. Like others have mentioned, you only need the 4-digit PIN if you want to file your weekly claims by phone through their automated system. If you're comfortable using the online portal (which sounds like you are since you're trying to access your account online), you can just keep filing through your SAW account without ever needing that PIN. I ended up never even bothering to get my PIN reset because the online system works so much better anyway. Don't stress yourself out over it - just file online and you'll meet your deadline no problem!

I just want to echo what everyone else is saying here - you really don't need to stress about the PIN if you can file online! I made the same mistake a few weeks ago and spent way too much time worrying about it. The 4-digit PIN is only for the telephone filing system, which honestly isn't as convenient as the online portal anyway. As long as you can log into your SAW account on the website, you can file your weekly claims there without any PIN required. Save yourself the headache of trying to get through on those phone lines and just stick with online filing. The most important thing is meeting your deadline, and you can absolutely do that through the website!

Bottom line: severance can affect unemployment but it doesn't have to if it's structured right. Get clarification from Washington ESD, be completely honest when filing your claim, and keep good records. You'll get through this!

I went through something similar last year when my tech company did layoffs. The $8,000 severance amount is pretty typical, and the good news is that Washington state is generally more worker-friendly than some other states when it comes to severance and UI benefits. Here's what I learned: if your severance agreement doesn't specifically mention covering a certain number of weeks or acting as "pay in lieu of notice," you're probably in the clear to start collecting right away. The fact that yours just says it's "in appreciation of service" sounds promising. One tip I wish someone had told me - when you file your UI claim online, there's a section where you can upload documents. Include your severance agreement there from the start, even if they don't explicitly ask for it. It saved me from having to deal with follow-up requests later. Also, start your claim as soon as possible after your last day of work, regardless of the severance situation. Washington ESD can always adjust things retroactively if needed, but you don't want to lose out on potential benefit weeks while you're figuring everything out.

One more important point your friend should be aware of: When an employee's FMLA ends and the employer states they have no work available, this is generally considered a layoff, not a termination for cause or voluntary separation. This distinction is crucial for UI eligibility. Your friend should save any communications (emails, texts) where the employer stated no work was available. If the conversation was verbal, he should follow up with an email summarizing their conversation to create a paper trail. Something like: "As discussed on [date], I understand that when my FMLA leave ends on [date], there will be no position available for me to return to, and you've advised me to apply for unemployment benefits." This documentation will be invaluable if his claim gets flagged for adjudication, which happens frequently with FMLA-to-unemployment transitions.

I went through this exact situation when my FMLA ended last year. Your friend is smart to ask about timing - it really matters! Here's what I learned: Wait until the day AFTER his FMLA officially ends to file. Filing while still technically on leave can trigger red flags in the system. When he applies, he should select "laid off due to lack of work" as his separation reason since the employer specifically told him no positions are available. A few things that helped me: - I took screenshots of all my communications with HR about no work being available - I prepared a clear timeline of events for the application - I had my employment history ready (last 18 months of jobs, dates, wages) One thing to watch for - if his FMLA was unpaid, it might affect his benefit calculation since they look at your highest earning quarters. But ESD can sometimes use an alternative base year if the standard one doesn't work in your favor. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me to start getting benefits, so tell him to apply as soon as his FMLA ends. Good luck to your friend!

Reading through everyone's experiences here has been super helpful! I'm about 4 months into my unemployment claim and have been pretty diligent about my work search activities, but admittedly my record-keeping has been hit or miss. The audit stories are definitely motivating - especially hearing about James having to provide screenshots and documentation going back weeks. I've been mostly just jotting down company names and dates in a notebook, but it sounds like I need to be way more thorough. Going to start taking screenshots of every online application and keeping digital copies of everything. The randomness of the audits is what makes this so stressful - you never know when your number might come up. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences, it's way more valuable than just reading the official ESD guidelines!

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm about 6 weeks into my unemployment claim and honestly had no idea how seriously Washington ESD takes the work search verification. Reading about the actual audit experiences - especially the level of detail they require - has been both eye-opening and a bit nerve-wracking. I've been doing my three job contacts each week but my documentation has been pretty minimal, just basic notes. After seeing what James had to provide (screenshots, business cards, contact info) and hearing about the 10-day deadline for submitting everything, I realize I need to completely overhaul my record-keeping system. The randomness factor is what really gets me - knowing that some people go years without an audit while others get selected early on. I'm definitely going to start treating every application like I'll need to prove it later. Better to spend a few extra minutes each week organizing documentation than potentially owing back weeks of benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this kind of practical insight is so much more valuable than just reading the official requirements!

One more tip that hasn't been mentioned - if your new job is part-time or you're not sure about the hours yet, you might still be eligible for partial unemployment benefits. Don't automatically assume you need to close your claim completely if you're not working full-time hours. Washington ESD has provisions for people who are working reduced hours and can still receive some benefits to supplement their income. Just make sure to report all wages accurately on your weekly claims.

Great comprehensive advice in this thread! One additional detail worth mentioning - when you file your final weekly claim and report your return to work, make sure you also have your employer information ready including their full business name, address, and your supervisor's contact info. Sometimes Washington ESD will want to verify employment directly with your employer, so having all that information accurate and readily available can help speed up the process. Also, if you're eligible for any severance pay or vacation payout from your previous job, make sure you understand how that might affect your benefits timeline. Good luck with the new position!