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I went through something similar when my husband got a job offer in Colorado. One thing that really helped my case was getting a letter from HR at my company stating that they had no remote work options or transfer opportunities available. ESD wants to see that you explored all reasonable alternatives before quitting. Since your situation involves family caregiving, you might also want to get documentation from Montana's caregiver program showing that your wife is in the approval process - even if she doesn't have the job yet, it demonstrates this isn't just a casual move. Also, keep in mind that Montana has a lower cost of living than Washington, so if you do get approved, your benefit amount might go further there than it would here.
That's really smart about getting the HR letter! I hadn't thought about documenting that there were no alternatives. My company doesn't offer remote work or transfers either, so I'll definitely request a letter stating that. And you're right about getting documentation from Montana's caregiver program - even if it's just showing she's in the approval process, it proves we're not making this move on a whim. Thanks for the tip about the cost of living difference too - that's actually encouraging to hear!
I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that might help. I work in HR and have dealt with several employees who needed to quit for family caregiving situations. From what I've seen with ESD cases, the timing of your wife's employment status is crucial, but don't overlook the caregiving aspect itself. Washington does recognize family caregiving responsibilities as potential "good cause" for quitting, especially when it involves relocating to care for an elderly parent or in-law who needs assistance. My suggestion would be to gather documentation on multiple fronts: 1) Medical documentation of your mother-in-law's need for care, 2) Official correspondence from Montana's caregiver program showing your wife is in the approval process, 3) A letter from your current employer confirming no remote work or transfer options, and 4) Any timeline information from the Montana program about when approval is expected. Even if your wife doesn't have the job "secured" yet, if you can demonstrate this is a legitimate family caregiving situation with a high likelihood of employment (not just speculation), you might have a stronger case than initially thought. The key is showing ESD this isn't just a voluntary move but a necessary one for family care responsibilities.
This is incredibly helpful - thank you for the HR perspective! I really appreciate you breaking down the different types of documentation I should gather. The point about family caregiving being recognized as potential "good cause" even beyond just spousal employment is something I hadn't fully considered. I'm going to start collecting all four types of documentation you mentioned right away. Do you happen to know if there's a specific way ESD prefers to receive medical documentation - like does it need to come directly from the doctor, or can it be something we provide? Also, when you've seen similar cases, how detailed do the medical records need to be about the level of care required?
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Just wanted to say you're not alone in this. There are so many of us dealing with the same fear about benefits running out. Keep us posted on how things go!
Thank you so much. It really helps to know I'm not the only one going through this. I'll definitely update if I find something or learn more about extensions.
Have you considered looking into QuickBooks certification or other accounting software certifications? Many are available online and relatively affordable. With so many businesses switching to cloud-based accounting, having current certifications in popular software might help you stand out. Plus, if you're doing this while still receiving benefits, it shows continued professional development in your job search activities.
That's a great suggestion! I do have some QuickBooks experience but it's been a while since I updated my certification. With everything moving to cloud-based systems, getting current certifications could definitely make me more competitive. Do you know if there are any specific certifications that employers are looking for most right now?
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One more tip: if Washington ESD does contact you about job search verification, respond quickly and provide all requested documentation. The faster you respond, the faster they can process your case.
Good advice. I'll make sure to check my mail and messages regularly.
They usually give you about 10 days to respond to verification requests, but sooner is better
This thread has been really helpful - I was panicking about this exact same thing! I've been keeping basic records but after reading everyone's advice, I'm definitely going to step up my documentation game. Going to start taking screenshots of confirmation pages and keeping more detailed notes about each application. It's reassuring to know that as long as you're being honest and can back up your job search efforts, the verification process isn't something to lose sleep over. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
I'm in the same boat as you - this whole conversation has been a huge relief! I was getting really anxious about whether my online applications would hold up if they checked. Seeing everyone's practical advice about screenshots and detailed record-keeping makes me feel much more prepared. I think I'm going to create that spreadsheet system someone mentioned too. It's good to know we're all dealing with the same worries and looking out for each other.
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Yeah what everyone else said is correct. Salaried, hourly, doesn't matter to Washington ESD. I was making $70k salary when I got laid off and had no problems getting approved. The weekly benefit calculation is actually pretty generous for higher earners.
Great to hear from someone in a similar salary range. Really helps put my mind at ease.
Just don't delay filing like I did. Cost me a week of benefits that I could never get back.
Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation recently. I was a salaried project manager making $62k and got laid off during restructuring. Filed for unemployment immediately and had zero issues - Washington ESD processed my claim just like any other employee. The key is not to overthink it - if you paid into the system through payroll taxes and were laid off through no fault of your own, you qualify regardless of salary vs hourly status. The online application took me about 15 minutes and I got my first payment within 3 weeks. Don't let anyone tell you differently about salaried employees not being eligible - that's completely false information.
Thanks for sharing your experience! It's really helpful to hear from someone who went through almost the exact same situation. Your salary range is so close to mine that this gives me a lot of confidence. I'm definitely going to file tonight - seems like everyone here is saying the same thing about not waiting. Really appreciate you taking the time to reassure folks like me who are new to this process!
Alina Rosenthal
This has been super informative. I'm going to create a detailed spreadsheet for all my job search activities going forward and make sure I'm taking screenshots of everything. Thanks for all the advice everyone!
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Oliver Cheng
•You're welcome! Having good documentation gives you peace of mind and makes the whole unemployment process less stressful.
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Savannah Glover
•Exactly right. A little extra effort upfront can save you a lot of headaches later if you get selected for verification.
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Cole Roush
I just went through a work search verification last month and wanted to share my experience. They requested documentation for 6 weeks of job search activities and gave me 14 days to respond. The key things they wanted were: detailed job search log with dates, company names, positions applied for, and method of contact. They also asked for proof of 3 specific applications - I had to provide screenshots of application confirmations and contact info for the employers. The whole process took about 2 weeks after I submitted everything, but my benefits weren't interrupted. My advice is to treat every application like it might be audited - keep detailed records, take screenshots, and save any confirmation emails. It's way easier to be over-prepared than scrambling to recreate your job search history weeks later.
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StormChaser
•Thanks for sharing your actual verification experience! That's really helpful to know they give you 14 days to respond and don't interrupt benefits during the process. The specific documentation you mentioned - job search log plus proof of 3 applications - gives me a good benchmark for what to prepare. I'm curious, did they randomly select you for verification or was there something that triggered it?
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