@OP - You should keep your job search logs for at least one year after your benefit year ends. ESD can audit your job search activities for quite some time after you receive benefits, so it's better to be safe.

As someone who just started receiving benefits last month, this is really helpful information! I had no idea about this change and was wondering why the job search section disappeared from my weekly claim. I've been keeping my own informal notes but clearly need to switch to the official form. Does anyone know if there's a grace period for people who are new to the system and didn't know about this requirement? I'm worried I might have already messed up my first few weeks by not using the proper documentation format.

Wait I'm confused about one thing. If your husband is in a union, does he automatically get the job search requirements waived? My brother is a union ironworker and I thought he still had to do the job search stuff when he claimed last year? Or maybe he wasn't doing something right?

Just wanted to add from my experience - even though standby status doesn't eliminate the waiting week, it does make the whole process smoother once benefits start. I was on standby through my electrical union last winter and while I still had to serve the waiting week, I didn't have any of the usual hassles about proving I was looking for work. The key thing is making sure your union has submitted all the proper paperwork to ESD beforehand. Also, definitely keep filing those weekly claims even for partial work weeks - I made the mistake of skipping one thinking it wouldn't matter and it delayed my benefits by two weeks while they sorted it out.

Just wanted to add that when you're reporting your severance payments each week, make sure you're reporting the gross amount (before taxes) not the net amount you actually receive. Washington ESD bases their calculations on the gross severance amount. I made this mistake initially and had to correct it later, which caused some confusion in my claim. The weekly claim form should be pretty clear about this, but it's worth mentioning since tax withholdings can make the amounts look quite different.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation but with a twist - my company is paying my severance through their regular payroll system over 8 weeks, but they're also continuing my health insurance during that time. Does anyone know if the continued health insurance coverage affects how Washington ESD views the severance payments? I want to make sure I understand the full picture before I file my claim. From everything I've read here, it sounds like I should still file immediately and report the weekly severance amounts, but I'm wondering if the insurance continuation adds any complications to the process.

Quick update on the rules: For 2025, ESD updated their guidelines a bit. After the first 10 weeks of unemployment, you're expected to consider jobs paying at least 80% of your previous wage. After 15 weeks, this drops to 75%. Only after 20+ weeks are you expected to consider positions below 70% of your previous wage. Since you're only at week 6 and the offer is 50% of your previous wage, you're well within your rights to decline. The requirement to pay for your own training strengthens your case further. Keep up with your job search activities (minimum 3 per week) and document everything carefully!

I went through something very similar last year - was making $78K in marketing and got offered a $35K retail management position that required me to complete unpaid training for 2 weeks before starting. I was terrified about declining it, but after consulting with an ESD agent, I learned that the unpaid training requirement alone made it "unsuitable work." Key things that helped my case: - The job required personal financial investment (your $750 certification) - Salary was less than 50% of previous wage - Completely different career field - I had only been unemployed for 7 weeks I reported it honestly on my weekly claim, attached the job offer email, and included a brief explanation. ESD approved my decision within a week with no issues. The agent even told me that employers who require workers to pay upfront costs are often trying to take advantage of desperate job seekers. You made the right call declining this offer. Keep documenting your job search efforts and applying for positions in your field. The fact that you're only 6 weeks in and they offered you something requiring out-of-pocket expenses makes this a pretty clear-cut case of unsuitable work.

I'm sorry this happened to you - it's such a frustrating and stressful situation when you're trying to do the right thing by giving proper notice! Based on everything I've read here, you definitely have a strong case for unemployment benefits. The fact that they used the word "terminated" and escorted you out creates a clear paper trail that this was their decision, not yours. Make sure when you file to emphasize that you gave written notice with the intention of working your full two weeks, but they chose to end your employment immediately instead. This is a textbook case of employer-initiated separation. Good luck with your move to Spokane and your claim!

What a terrible way to treat someone after 3.5 years of loyal service! I'm really sorry this happened to you. The silver lining here is that your employer actually did you a favor legally - by terminating you instead of accepting your resignation, they've made you eligible for unemployment benefits. I went through something similar a few years back (gave notice for a new job, got walked out the same day) and ESD approved my claim without any issues. The key things that helped me: 1) I had documentation of my resignation letter, 2) I had their termination notice in writing, and 3) I was very clear in my application that THEY ended my employment, not me. It sounds like you have all of this covered. Don't let their unprofessional behavior discourage you - file that claim tonight and get the benefits you're entitled to!