Just wanted to add my experience as someone who's been lurking and learning from this amazing thread! I'm about 4 weeks into my unemployment claim after being laid off from a digital marketing role, and I'm working on starting a social media consulting business. Like many others here, I didn't get the SEAP notification and honestly didn't even know it existed until finding this discussion. But reading everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful for figuring out how to build a business while on regular unemployment. One thing I've found useful is using LinkedIn strategically - I can do "job searching" activities like connecting with potential employers while simultaneously building my professional network for consulting opportunities. It's amazing how much overlap there is between legitimate job search activities and business development when you think creatively about it. I'm definitely planning to look into the SCORE mentoring program that @GalacticGladiator mentioned, especially since the free version sounds like a great starting point. Even without SEAP, it seems like there are still plenty of resources available for those of us determined to make this entrepreneurship thing work. Thanks to everyone who's shared their stories - this thread has honestly been more helpful than anything I've found on the official ESD website! Would love to hear updates from @Elijah Knight and others as your journeys progress.

I'm about 2 weeks into my unemployment claim after being laid off from a data analyst position, and this thread has been absolutely incredible to discover! Like so many others here, I had no idea SEAP even existed until reading through all these experiences. I've been considering starting a freelance data consulting business, and while I'm still within the window where I might potentially get the "likely to exhaust benefits" notification, reading everyone's experiences has shown me there are viable paths forward either way. What strikes me most is how this thread has evolved into such a supportive community of people in similar situations. The practical advice about balancing job search requirements with business development, the candid experiences with SEAP (both positive and negative), and the creative approaches to networking and client development have been invaluable. For those who've been building businesses alongside regular unemployment - how do you stay motivated when you're essentially pursuing two different paths simultaneously? Some days I feel energized about my business ideas, other days the job application process just drains all my entrepreneurial enthusiasm. Also, I'm definitely going to look into that free SCORE mentoring program several people mentioned. Even if I don't qualify for SEAP, it sounds like there are still great resources available for getting structured guidance on business planning. Thanks to everyone who's shared their stories - this has become the most helpful resource I've found for navigating unemployment while exploring entrepreneurship!

I went through a very similar situation about 6 months ago - got fired for attendance issues that were mostly due to public transit delays and some family medical emergencies I was dealing with. I was usually about 10-20 minutes late a few times per month, nothing excessive. Washington ESD approved my claim after about 2.5 weeks of review. The adjudicator I spoke with during the phone interview was really understanding when I explained that the tardiness was due to circumstances largely outside my control. She asked if I had communicated with my employer about the transportation issues and if I had tried to find solutions, which I had. The key things that seemed to help my case were: 1) The tardiness wasn't extreme (not hours late), 2) There were legitimate external factors causing it, and 3) I had been a good employee otherwise. Your situation with bus delays and personal issues sounds very similar to mine. Definitely file your claim right away - even if your employer contests it, Washington ESD will give you a fair hearing to explain your side. Don't let the stress get to you too much, most people in situations like ours do get approved once they can tell their story.

I just went through this exact situation about 4 months ago - fired for tardiness due to a combination of unreliable public transit and caring for my sick father. I was typically 5-20 minutes late maybe 2-3 times per week over about 6 weeks. Washington ESD approved my claim after a thorough review that took about 3 weeks. During the phone interview, the adjudicator was very thorough but fair - they asked about the specific reasons for my lateness, whether I had communicated with my employer about the issues, and what steps I had taken to try to resolve them. What really helped my case was being completely honest about the circumstances and showing that the tardiness wasn't due to laziness or disregard for my job, but genuine life challenges that were largely outside my control. Your situation with bus delays and personal issues sounds very similar to mine, and the fact that you were only 10-15 minutes late (not hours) works in your favor. File your claim immediately and don't get discouraged if it goes into adjudication - that's normal for terminations. Be prepared to explain your situation clearly and honestly when they call for the interview. Most importantly, keep filing your weekly claims even during the review period so you don't miss out on any benefits you're entitled to. You've got a really good chance of getting approved based on what you've described.

Thanks everyone for all this advice! I feel way more confident about managing my work search requirements now. Going to start a spreadsheet today and be more systematic about everything.

I just wanted to share what's been working for me - I created a simple template in Google Docs that I fill out each time I do a work search activity. It has fields for date, company name, position title, method of contact, and a notes section. Then I just copy and paste the info when I file my weekly claim. Having a consistent format makes it so much easier to stay organized and I never forget important details. Plus Google Docs saves everything automatically so I don't have to worry about losing my records.

I'm currently going through my first unemployment audit with Washington ESD and this thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding what to expect. Like many others here, I wasn't as thorough with my record-keeping as I should have been, but reading about people successfully reconstructing documentation from browser history and email confirmations gives me hope. The stress of potentially owing money back is really getting to me, especially since I was genuinely looking for work but just didn't understand how detailed the documentation needed to be. Has anyone found that Washington ESD auditors are generally reasonable when you can show you were making legitimate efforts to find employment, even if your paperwork isn't perfect? I'm trying to gather as much information as I can before I submit my response to make sure I handle this the right way.

I'm going through my first Washington ESD audit right now and this whole thread has been a lifesaver - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I got my audit notice about 10 days ago and initially panicked, but reading about how others have successfully navigated this process has really helped calm my nerves. I've been following the advice here about reconstructing documentation from browser history and email confirmations, and I'm amazed at how much I was actually able to recover. Found old job application confirmations in my email trash folder, LinkedIn message threads with recruiters, and even some screenshots I took of interesting job postings. My biggest takeaway from all these stories is that being honest and proactive seems to be the key - the auditors appear to be looking for evidence of good faith effort rather than perfect documentation. I'm putting together a comprehensive response packet with everything I can find plus a cover letter explaining any gaps, and I feel much more confident about the outcome now. For anyone else facing this situation, don't give up hope and start gathering documentation immediately!

One last tip from someone who's been through this - be patient with the process but persistent if something seems wrong. Per diem workers have valid claims, but sometimes you need to educate the system about your specific situation.

I'm also a per diem worker (CNA at a few different facilities) and just wanted to add that when you file, make sure you have all your employer information ready - names, addresses, dates you worked there, etc. The application asks for a lot of detail about each job. Also, don't be discouraged if your claim takes a while to process. Mine took about 4 weeks but I did get approved and received back pay for the waiting period. The key is showing that your hours dropped significantly due to circumstances beyond your control. Good luck with your application!