Reading through all these stories really hits home for me. I just went through something similar last month - got fired for "attitude problems" right after I started asking questions about unpaid overtime and meal break violations. Been with the company for 2.5 years and suddenly I'm a "problem employee"? The whole thing felt like retaliation but I was scared to file for unemployment because I thought being fired automatically disqualified me. After seeing everyone's experiences here, I finally filed my claim and just heard back from Washington ESD - they approved it! My former employer tried to contest it claiming I was insubordinate, but ESD saw right through it when they looked at the timeline of my questions about wage violations versus when I suddenly became a "poor performer." For anyone hesitating about filing - just do it! The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised. Document everything and be honest about any workplace issues you reported. Washington ESD really does investigate fairly and they know how to spot employer retaliation patterns.

I'm in a really similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Got terminated two days ago for what they called "failure to meet productivity standards" but it happened exactly one week after I submitted a formal complaint to management about broken safety guards on our machinery. I've been there for 20 months with solid performance reviews until suddenly last month they started documenting every tiny mistake I made. The timing feels like obvious retaliation but I was terrified to file for unemployment because I thought getting fired meant automatic disqualification. After reading everyone's experiences here though, I'm definitely filing my claim tomorrow morning. It's so encouraging to see that Washington ESD actually investigates these cases thoroughly and recognizes retaliation patterns. I have emails documenting the safety issues I reported, so hopefully that will help my case. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - you've given me the confidence to fight for what I deserve instead of just accepting their bogus termination excuse!

DONT SKIP entering the job search info online!!! My cousin did that and got audited and they disqualified 3 weeks of benefits because his paper log didn't match exactly what the employer said when ESD called to verify!!! The online form makes you enter all the right info they need!!!

One clarification on the job search documentation: When you check "Yes" that you completed job search activities but don't enter the details online, your claim will still process. However, this does flag your account in the ESD system as having "minimal documentation." While this doesn't guarantee you'll be selected for review, accounts with this flag are statistically more likely to be chosen for job search review audits. If you're concerned about the time it takes to enter everything online, consider using the WorkSource WA job search tools which can automatically link to your unemployment claim and count as documented activities.

Just wanted to add one more important tip - make sure to take a screenshot of your final weekly claim submission showing that you reported your return to work. It's good backup documentation in case there are ever any questions about when and how you properly closed your claim. I always save screenshots of important ESD submissions just in case their system has issues or records get mixed up somehow.

Great advice about taking screenshots! I learned this the hard way when I had an issue with a previous claim and had no way to prove what I had submitted. Now I screenshot everything important - claim submissions, confirmation pages, determination letters, the works. Washington ESD's online system isn't perfect and having your own digital paper trail can be a lifesaver if you ever need to prove you followed proper procedures. It takes two seconds but could save hours of hassle later.

If anyone is still having trouble getting through to Washington ESD for specific questions about their benefit duration, that Claimyr service mentioned earlier really does work. I used it twice - once to ask about my remaining weeks and once to resolve an issue with my weekly claim. Both times got connected within 30 minutes instead of wasting whole days calling.

Just wanted to share my experience since I went through this whole process last year. I ended up using all 26 weeks and it was actually enough time to find something good, but I had to really stay organized about it. The key things that helped me were: 1) Setting up a spreadsheet to track all my applications and follow-ups, 2) Treating job searching like a full-time job with set hours, and 3) Making sure I always did my 3 required job search activities each week (I learned the hard way that they do check). The stress is real, especially around week 20, but don't give up hope. Also, if you're struggling to get through to Washington ESD with questions, definitely look into that Claimyr service people mentioned - I wish I had known about it when I was dealing with a claim issue that took forever to resolve through normal channels.

I'm in a very similar situation - my hours just got reduced from 38 to 25 per week and I wasn't sure if I qualified for anything. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about the Shared Work program or that there were alternatives to just applying for jobs to meet the search requirements. One question I have after reading everything: If I file my initial claim now but my hours reduction doesn't start for another two weeks, do I still need to file weekly claims during those two weeks when I'm still working full time? Or do I wait until my hours actually get cut to start the weekly filing process? Also, has anyone had experience with how long the adjudication process typically takes for partial unemployment claims? I'm trying to plan my budget around when I might actually start receiving benefits.

I went through partial unemployment when my hours were reduced from 40 to 24 per week about 6 months ago. A few tips that might help: First, definitely file your initial claim as soon as you know about the reduction - don't wait until it actually happens. The effective date matters for when benefits can start. Second, the weekly benefit calculation can be tricky to estimate beforehand. I was making about $18/hour and thought I wouldn't qualify for much, but between the partial benefit and the new $25 weekly supplement, I was getting around $180/week which really helped cover my rent shortfall. Third, keep really good records of everything - your old schedule, new schedule, pay stubs, any documentation from your employer about the hours reduction being involuntary. ESD may ask for proof that this wasn't your choice. The job search requirement was annoying but manageable. I mostly did online workshops and updated my resume/LinkedIn rather than actually applying places since I wanted to keep my current job. Just document everything properly. One last thing - if you have any issues with your claim getting stuck, don't waste weeks trying to call ESD. Use one of those callback services or try contacting your local WorkSource office for help navigating the system. The sooner you get it resolved, the better.