I went through something similar last year. My sister missed work for 2 days without calling due to a mental health crisis and initially got denied benefits. But she appealed with documentation from her therapist and hospital records, and Washington ESD eventually approved her claim. The key was proving it wasn't willful misconduct but rather circumstances beyond her control. Your coworker should definitely file - even if it seems hopeless, stranger things have happened. The worst they can say is no, but if she doesn't try, the answer is automatically no.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my roommate got fired for no call no show but she had a legitimate medical emergency. From what I've learned reading through all these responses, it really comes down to whether there were circumstances beyond her control and if she has documentation to prove it. Even though the odds might not be great for typical no call no show cases, Washington ESD does evaluate each situation individually. The consensus here seems to be that she should definitely file anyway since there's nothing to lose by trying. If she gets denied, she can always appeal with any evidence she might have. The whole process might take a while but it's better than not trying at all.

Great question about the stock options! I went through something similar last year with my severance package that included both cash and accelerated stock vesting. Washington ESD typically only considers the cash portion of severance for UI benefit calculations - the stock option acceleration is usually treated separately since it's not immediate income. However, I'd strongly recommend being completely transparent about all components when you file your initial claim. When I spoke with Washington ESD (took a few tries to get through), they told me to report the cash amount for the severance calculation and note the stock component separately. The stock vesting didn't affect my weekly benefit reduction at all, but they appreciated having the full picture upfront. Better to over-disclose than have questions come up later during an audit or review.

I'm going through a similar severance situation right now and this thread has been incredibly valuable! One thing I wanted to add based on my research is that Washington ESD also distinguishes between "true severance" and "pay in lieu of notice." If your severance is specifically labeled as pay covering a certain time period (like "two weeks pay in lieu of notice"), it might be treated differently than a general separation payment. I'd recommend asking your HR department to clarify exactly how your $8,000 severance is categorized in their system. Also, I've found that printing out this entire discussion thread is actually helpful to bring with you if you end up having to visit a WorkSource office in person - the staff there often appreciate seeing real examples of how these calculations work in practice. The consistency of everyone's experiences here really shows that Washington ESD's proration method is pretty standardized once you get through to someone who knows the rules.

I'm going through this nightmare right now too! Got flagged for "able and available" for the last week of February. What's driving me crazy is that I was literally sitting by my phone every day hoping someone would call for an interview, and now they want me to PROVE I was ready to work? Based on what everyone's saying here, I'm putting together a statement that covers: - Exact hours I was available (I'm doing 6 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week) - Transportation details (my 2018 Honda Accord with valid license and insurance) - No medical issues, no travel, no other commitments - Reference to my work search log showing I applied to 8 jobs that week The thing that really gets me is how they make it sound like you did something wrong when really they're just doing random audits. I've been unemployed for 3 months and have applied to over 100 jobs - if that doesn't show I'm "available" I don't know what does! Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences. At least now I know this is normal ESD bureaucracy and not just them picking on me specifically. Going to submit my documentation tomorrow and keep my fingers crossed.

I just went through this exact situation two months ago and totally understand your frustration! The "able and available" review is actually pretty routine - they randomly audit claims to ensure compliance with federal requirements. Here's what worked for me: I wrote a detailed statement covering the specific weeks they questioned, including: - My exact availability hours (I put 7 AM to 8 PM, Monday-Saturday) - Transportation details (reliable vehicle with valid license) - Confirmation I had no medical restrictions, wasn't traveling, no school conflicts - Referenced my work search activities during those specific weeks The key is being very specific about the time period they're questioning. Don't just say "I was available" - give them concrete details about HOW you were available. I submitted it through the eServices portal under "Upload Document" and selected "Able and Available Issue." Got approved within 8 business days without needing to call. Your job search log showing 5 applications per week is actually great supporting evidence - make sure to reference that in your statement since it demonstrates you were actively seeking work during the questioned period. Hang in there, this usually resolves pretty quickly once you submit the documentation!

One more tip - if you do get contacted by ESD about the job refusal, don't panic. Answer their questions honestly and provide any documentation they ask for. Most of the time if you have legitimate reasons and you're actively job searching, they'll understand. The system is designed to help people find appropriate work, not force them into bad situations.

I just want to add that it's really important to keep track of your ongoing job search activities too. Even if you refuse a job for valid reasons, ESD will still want to see that you're actively looking for other work. Make sure you're applying to your required number of jobs each week and documenting everything. The job refusal becomes much less of an issue when you can show you're genuinely engaged in finding suitable employment. Also, don't let one unsuitable job offer discourage you from continuing your search - there are better opportunities out there that will be a proper fit for your skills and situation.

Just wanted to add that if you do run into any issues with your claim - like if it gets stuck in adjudication or you need to appeal a decision - Claimyr can also help with those situations. They're not just for initial questions but can help throughout the whole process.

As a fellow union member (IBEW Local 46), I can confirm everything that's been said here is accurate. I've collected unemployment benefits multiple times over the years during slow periods, and being union has never been an issue. One additional tip I'd add - keep good records of all your job search activities, including dates you checked in with your hall, jobs you applied for, and any networking you do with other tradespeople. Washington ESD can audit your work search activities, and having detailed records makes that process much smoother if it ever happens. Also, don't forget that attending union meetings or training classes can sometimes count toward your work search requirements too. Good luck with your claim!