State of the Sub & Unemployment Benefits in WA

###-----Opening Statement-----

Our sub passed 2k members 5 days ago, and is the largest state-specific sub on Reddit, by almost a factor of 2. r/Seattle has a pinned post directing people to our sub. The ESD Facebook support groups and Twitter responses have all been awash with the same concerns and questions our users have: as such, I have reached out to all subs that deal with unemployment, and the FB support group, offering our Archive as a source or template.

####----------Our subReddit----------

The Archive was introduced 8 days ago and has since more than doubled. Alternate user flair is available, and new post flair, which helps users find insightful posts/comments faster.

####----------Most Notable Issue----------

The vast majority of chatter on all subs and platforms is...

"What's going on with EB and the new PEUC?"

Edit 1/22, 2pm: ESD finally released guidance. See their FB, twitter, or website, or this comment

We know what the legislation says. We know what should happen. We have work-arounds. And experience-driven guidance. And yet anomalies remain, like how some users' weekly benefits from the end of December are still stuck as "Processing", but they are reporting hopeful details from ESD

####EDIT 1/19, 10:20pm. Resolved for EB only, by u/jenniferfullofhate

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Generally, we all expected this to be fully resolved and implemented by some imaginary deadline long past.

####----------Current Post Trends----------

• As benefit types are drawn down, questions about "Final Payment", and Benefit Year, and basics about how Benefits and Claim types work

• As people go back to work, questions about earnings deductions.

• As people are called back to work, they ask about Refusal.

• As people get 1099s, questions about summation and possible corrections

• Lastly, users in dire straights are terrifyingly underutilizing The Hardship Request, to have their issue expedited

#####----------Notable Stories/Users---------- Highlighted post goes to this heart-warming story, also about success using Hardship Request+Identity+OSI. from u/EarProgrammatically4

I challenge all users, if the advice in this sub has helped you, pay it forward to any future user in their situation.

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####----------Closing Statement---------- Our state, its people, and economy can be rescued by

1. Wearing Masks and social distancing

2. Vaccination

3. Recovering a demand-shocked economy by giving aid and money to those who need it and will spend it.

Well, they're having a hell-of-a-time on number 1 and number 2, but (policy uncertainty notwithstanding) we have #3 locked.down.for.WA.

Thank You!