I've been dealing with recruiters a lot lately and wanted to share something I learned - when documenting recruiter calls for ESD, I always ask the recruiter for their direct contact info and the specific job req number if they have one. Most recruiters are happy to provide this since they want to maintain the relationship. It makes your documentation much stronger and shows ESD that these were legitimate business contacts, not just casual conversations. Also, if a recruiter mentions they'll keep you in mind for future openings, I note that as well since it shows ongoing networking value.

This thread is super helpful! I'm new to unemployment claims and had no idea that recruiter interactions counted as job search activities. I've been stressing about finding enough applications to submit each week, but I actually had two recruiter calls last month that I didn't even think to log. One was through LinkedIn where a recruiter reached out about a marketing coordinator position, and another was a cold call about temp-to-perm opportunities in my field. Based on what everyone's saying here, it sounds like I should have documented both of these. Going forward, I'll definitely keep better records and ask for all the contact details you've mentioned. Thanks for sharing your experiences - this has been way more informative than the official ESD resources!

The wait is brutal but try to stay positive. I know it's hard when bills are piling up but you'll get through this.

I'm in a similar situation - filed an appeal 4 weeks ago after being wrongfully denied for "voluntary quit" when I was actually laid off due to company restructuring. The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially with rent due soon. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like I need to brace myself for potentially 2-3 more months of waiting. Has anyone had success getting any kind of interim assistance while waiting for the appeal to go through?

So glad to hear you got it resolved quickly! This is exactly why I always recommend the messaging system through eServices as the first step. For anyone else reading this thread who might have similar issues - the key is being very specific and detailed in your message about what needs to be corrected. Include your claim number, clearly state what information is wrong, and provide the correct information. ESD agents are used to handling these types of corrections and they're usually pretty responsive through the messaging system. Much less stressful than trying to get through on the phone!

I had a very similar experience last year! I accidentally put my wage information from my previous job instead of my most recent one and was terrified it would mess everything up. Like others have mentioned, the messaging system through eServices really is the way to go. I sent a detailed message explaining the error and within 3 business days they had corrected it and sent me a confirmation message. The agent even thanked me for catching the mistake early since it helped prevent any payment delays later on. Don't stress too much - these kinds of honest mistakes happen all the time and ESD has processes in place to handle them efficiently. Just make sure to keep filing your weekly claims while you wait for the correction to be processed!

Last thing - make sure you keep copies of everything you submitted with your appeal. Sometimes documents get lost in the system and you need to resubmit them.

Just wanted to add that you should also prepare for the possibility that your employer might participate in the hearing to contest your appeal. They'll likely try to justify their "voluntary quit" classification, so be ready to counter their arguments with your layoff documentation. In my experience, having that official layoff notice and severance agreement should be more than enough evidence, but it helps to think through what they might say and how you'll respond. The administrative law judge will ask both sides questions, so stay calm and stick to the facts. You've got solid evidence on your side!

I went through an audit last year and it was nerve-wracking at first, but it turned out to be pretty routine. In my case, it was triggered because I had reported some odd jobs that I did for cash and the amounts seemed inconsistent to their system. The key thing is to be completely transparent and provide all the documentation they ask for. Keep detailed records of everything - job applications, responses from employers, any work you've done, and all communication with Washington ESD. Most audits are resolved in your favor if you've been honest on your claims. The process can take a while, but don't panic. Just be thorough in your responses and meet all their deadlines.

Based on all these responses, it sounds like audits can be triggered by a variety of things - some random, some due to data discrepancies, and some from employer reports. The most important thing seems to be staying organized and responsive. I'd recommend creating a folder with all your unemployment documentation including job search logs, correspondence, pay stubs from any work, and copies of all your weekly claims. If you do need to contact Washington ESD during the audit process, it sounds like their phone system is really difficult to get through, so having a service like Claimyr as a backup option could be helpful. Try not to stress too much - if you've been honest and following the rules, the audit should resolve in your favor even if it takes some time.