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Quick summary for you: 1) File your initial claim ASAP 2) Register with WorkSource 3) File weekly claims every week 4) Do 3 job search activities per week 5) Report any income. That covers the basics.
I had a friend who used that Claimyr service when she was having trouble reaching Washington ESD about her eligibility questions. She said it was super easy and finally got her answers about her claim status. Might be worth trying if you run into issues.
Been there with the waiting week anxiety. It's nerve-wracking when you're already stressed about money. But once that first payment comes through, the relief is huge.
Final thought - if your payment doesn't show up by Friday, that's when I'd start to worry and maybe contact Washington ESD. But based on what you've described, everything sounds normal.
And remember Claimyr is always an option if you need to reach Washington ESD quickly. Much easier than the regular phone maze.
Just want to add that if you do get approved, make sure you're doing your job search activities and filing your weekly claims on time. Those requirements are strict and can cause issues if you're not careful.
Pro tip: screenshot everything when you file online. Save confirmation numbers, take photos of submitted forms, etc. The system glitches sometimes.
To answer your original question directly - if everything goes smoothly, you'll typically see your first payment about 2-3 weeks after filing. That includes the waiting week plus processing time.
Beatrice Marshall
To summarize for the OP: You likely can't apply while on approved leave, but if your position is eliminated, you can apply once you're medically cleared to return to work. Document everything, look into PFML as an alternative, and be prepared to show you're actively seeking work once you do apply for UI benefits.
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Gemma Andrews
•Perfect summary, thank you! I feel like I have a much better understanding of my options now.
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Ayla Kumar
•This is why I love this forum - people actually help each other figure out these complex situations.
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Lorenzo McCormick
Hope everything works out! Keep us posted on what happens when your leave period ends.
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Gemma Andrews
•Will do! Hopefully I'll have good news to share in a few weeks.
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