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My sister got audited and lost benefits because she couldn't prove she did her job searches!!! Just putting that out there!!
To summarize for clarity: 1. You must begin job searching immediately after filing your initial claim 2. You report these activities when you file your first weekly claim 3. You need 3 qualifying activities per week 4. Keep detailed records of all activities 5. Various activities count beyond just applications This pattern continues for the duration of your claim period. Each week you'll report the previous week's activities when filing your weekly claim.
Thank you all for the responses! This is really helpful. I'll keep my logs organized and make sure I'm documenting everything properly. I might scan them too just to be safe - good suggestion. Feeling much better about this now!
one more thing make sure ur still doing the right TYPE of activities each week. my buddy got in trouble cuz he was only doing job applications but ESD wants you to mix it up with things like workshops at WorkSource and informational interviews too. the rules say you need 'varied activities' or something like that
Just to confirm what's been said - the current requirement is 3 job search activities per week, and you need to keep your own records but don't submit unless asked. ESD moved away from requiring weekly submission to reduce their administrative burden, but they still expect you to maintain detailed logs. And yes, mixing up your activity types is wise - applications, interviews, WorkSource workshops, networking events, etc. all count.
wait im confused... are you trying to get regular unemployment or is this for disability? because they're different systems. if u cant work for medical reasons u should apply for disability not unemployment. unemployment is for when ur able to work but cant find a job.
You're raising an important point, but there's some nuance here. While unemployment is generally for those able to work but can't find jobs, there are situations where someone initially qualifies for UI, then develops a medical condition that temporarily prevents them from working. In Washington state, if someone becomes temporarily disabled after establishing a UI claim, they may still qualify for UI benefits under certain circumstances, especially if they're expected to recover and return to work. This is different from long-term disability benefits.
btw when is ur hearing date? make sure u prepare like CRAZY for it. i bombed my first hearing cuz i wasnt ready for all their questions. write down EVERYTHING u wanna say before u go in!!!
It's scheduled for August 18th, so I have two weeks to prepare. I'm definitely going to write everything down. Did they ask you really specific questions about your medical condition?
oh yeah they asked super specific stuff. like exactly what symptoms i had on which days, how it affected specific job duties, if i could have done ANY kind of work even part time, why i couldnt just take medication and keep working, all kinds of detailed questions. they were respectful but really thorough.
I had a similar experience back in 2023 when I was working seasonal jobs. Had to reopen my claim twice and never had to do another waiting week. Just make sure all your info is up to date when you reopen. Good luck!
UPDATE: I reopened my claim yesterday and confirmed with an ESD agent (after way too many attempts calling) that I do NOT need to serve another waiting week! They said I can file my weekly claim this Sunday for this week. Thanks everyone for your help!
Jabari-Jo
I tried using that Claimyr service that someone mentioned earlier and it actually worked really well. Got through to ESD in about 15 minutes when I'd been trying for days. The agent confirmed my waiver was approved and explained the whole refund process. Just wanted to update in case anyone else is struggling to get answers from ESD.
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Seraphina Delan
•They're probably charging an arm and a leg though. It's ridiculous we have to PAY just to talk to a government agency we already fund with our taxes! The whole system needs to be completely overhauled.
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Anna Kerber
I'd recommend checking your spam folder for emails from ESD as well. They sometimes send electronic notifications about important account changes that get filtered out. Also, when you do receive your official determination letter, make sure to keep it in a safe place indefinitely. Overpayment waivers can sometimes be revisited years later during audits, so having documentation of the approval is important for your records.
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Derek Olson
•That's excellent advice about keeping the documentation. I'll definitely file it safely once it arrives. I've checked my spam folder and don't see anything from ESD, but I'll keep an eye on it.
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