Best of luck with everything! Filing for unemployment can be stressful but you've got this. The benefits really help while you're looking for your next job.

Don't forget to also have your reason for separation clearly documented! If you were laid off, get any paperwork from your employer about the layoff if possible. This can help speed up processing and avoid potential delays. Also, when you create your SecureAccess Washington account, write down your username and password somewhere safe - you'll need to log in regularly for weekly claims and checking your benefit status.

Just want to add that the Board of Appeals decision is final at the state level. After that your only option is federal court, which almost never happens for unemployment cases unless there are major constitutional issues.

I went through a similar situation about two years ago. Got denied initially, lost at the administrative law judge level, but then won at the Board of Appeals. The key for me was really focusing on the specific legal requirements for misconduct in Washington - they have to prove it was willful or wanton disregard of your employer's interests. Just making mistakes or poor performance usually isn't enough. Also, make sure you submit your Board appeal within that 30-day window - they're super strict about deadlines. I'd recommend gathering any documentation you have that contradicts what your employer claimed at the first hearing. Good luck with your appeal!

I've been working part-time while on unemployment for about 3 months now and wanted to share some practical tips. First, set up a simple spreadsheet to track your hours and earnings each week - it makes filling out the weekly claims so much easier and gives you backup documentation. Second, I'd recommend staying well under 32 hours per week, not just for the full-time threshold but because it gives you flexibility for job interviews and networking events. I usually aim for 20-25 hours max. Third, don't forget that your part-time work can actually help your job search - I've gotten several full-time job leads through my part-time employer's network. The key is treating the part-time work as a stepping stone, not a permanent solution. And yes, definitely report every penny you earn - Washington ESD will find out eventually through wage matching, so it's not worth the risk of being accused of fraud over a few unreported dollars.

I've been dealing with this exact situation for the past few months and wanted to add some insight about the job search requirement that's often overlooked. While everyone's focused on the earnings formula (which is super important), remember that you also need to complete your required work search activities each week. In Washington, that's typically 3 job contacts per week. The tricky part is balancing your part-time work schedule with actively applying and interviewing for full-time positions. I've found it helpful to schedule my part-time shifts consistently (same days each week) so I can block out specific times for job searching and interviews. Also, don't underestimate how exhausting it can be to work part-time, job search, and manage all the unemployment paperwork - pace yourself and stay organized. The good news is that having recent work experience, even part-time, often makes you more attractive to potential full-time employers. Just make sure you're genuinely pursuing full-time work and not getting too comfortable with the part-time + benefits arrangement, because Washington ESD does review claims for continued eligibility.

Bottom line: you need wages in at least 2 quarters during your base period, meet the minimum wage thresholds, and be unemployed through no fault of your own. Everything else is just details.

Just wanted to add that the wage requirements can vary year to year, so make sure you're looking at the current year's thresholds. I made the mistake of using outdated information from an old forum post and thought I didn't qualify when I actually did. The Washington ESD website should have the most up-to-date minimum wage amounts for each year. Also, don't forget that some types of income like severance pay or vacation payout might affect your benefits timing even if you qualify based on quarters worked.

I just wanted to add another perspective from someone who travels frequently for family reasons while on unemployment. The advice here about continuing to file and marking unavailable days is spot-on, but I'd also suggest calling ESD before your trip if possible to document your plans. I know their phone lines are terrible, but when I called before my last out-of-state trip, the representative made a note in my file about my planned travel dates. This actually helped later when they had questions during a routine review - they could see I'd been proactive about reporting my unavailability. Also, for the job search requirements, remember that if you're marked unavailable for the entire benefit week, you don't need to complete job search activities for that week since you won't be receiving benefits anyway. But if you're only unavailable for part of the week (like your travel days), you still need to meet the job search requirements for the days you were available. Arizona is beautiful this time of year - enjoy your visit with your sister!

I'm in a similar situation planning a trip to visit family next month! This thread has been incredibly helpful. Just wanted to add that I called the ESD customer service line yesterday (took 2 hours of redialing) and the representative confirmed everything folks have said here - continue filing weekly claims but mark yourself unavailable for the specific dates you're traveling. She also mentioned that if you're going to be gone for more than 2 consecutive weeks, they recommend calling ahead to put a note in your file, but for shorter trips like yours (9 days), just being accurate on your weekly claims is sufficient. One more tip she gave me: if your trip spans partial weeks (like leaving on a Wednesday and returning the following Thursday), be extra careful to only mark yourself unavailable for the actual travel days, not the full weeks. You can still claim benefits for the days before you leave and after you return within those weeks. Hope your Arizona trip goes smoothly!