Bottom line is you need to be prepared for them to take up to 50% of your weekly benefit amount. It's not fun but it's manageable if you adjust your budget accordingly. Good luck!

I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful. Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone about your garnishment situation, I had success using Claimyr at claimyr.com. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. I was able to speak with an ESD representative within 20 minutes instead of being on hold for hours. The agent explained exactly when my garnishment would start and how it would appear in my payment history. Worth checking out if you need specific answers about your account.

OP, keep us updated on what happens! It's helpful for others to know how these situations typically resolve. Based on everyone's experiences here, sounds like you'll most likely be fine in a few days.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my weekly claim on Sunday and it's showing "pending payment" for the first time in months. Reading through all these responses is really helpful - sounds like it's usually just a processing delay that resolves itself within a few days. The anxiety is real though when you're counting on that money. Thanks for posting this question because I was wondering if I was the only one dealing with this.

lot of people think theres something wrong with there claim BUT its nromal part of the process. ESD always says waiting for info when they checking with employer. just be patient and dont miss any weekly claims

UPDATE: My claim just got approved today! It took exactly 11 business days from when I first applied. Looks like my employer responded right at the end of their 10-day window. Thanks everyone for the advice and support!

You handled this perfectly, Molly! 92 miles each way is absolutely unreasonable by any standard. I went through something similar about 8 months ago - ESD referred me to a job that was 85 miles away and I was terrified to decline it. But I documented everything just like you did and referenced the same WAC code. They approved my refusal within about 10 days without even putting my claim on hold. The key things you did right: 1) You were polite with the employer, 2) You have specific documentation with exact distances and times, 3) You explained the hardship clearly, and 4) You cited the relevant regulation. That's exactly what ESD wants to see. One tip - when you file your weekly claim and they ask about refusing work, be very detailed in that text box. Don't just say "commute too far" - include the mileage, time, and reference to WAC 192-150-112. The more specific you are upfront, the less likely they'll need to investigate further.

I'm in a very similar situation right now - just got referred to a job that's 78 miles away and would take me about 2.5 hours with Seattle traffic! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I was panicking thinking I'd have to choose between accepting an impossible commute or losing my benefits. Reading about WAC 192-150-112 and seeing everyone's experiences gives me confidence that I can decline this referral without penalty. It's crazy that they even suggest jobs that far away - do they not consider basic geography when making these matches through WorkSource? Molly, please keep us updated on how your case goes! I'll probably be filing my refusal in the next day or two and will follow the same documentation approach you outlined.

This is really helpful! I was feeling so overwhelmed when I first started filing claims. One thing I learned is to take screenshots of job postings before applying since some companies remove them quickly. Also, if you attend virtual job fairs or webinars, make sure to save the registration confirmations and any follow-up emails - those count as networking activities. I keep everything in a Google Drive folder organized by week so I can find it easily if needed. The system seems intimidating at first but once you get into a routine it becomes much more manageable.

One thing that really helped me stay organized was creating a simple template for each job search activity. I include: Date, Company/Organization, Contact Person (if applicable), Type of Activity (application, networking, training, etc.), Position/Event Details, Method of Contact, and Follow-up Notes. I also save confirmation emails and take screenshots right away. The key is being consistent - I update my log immediately after each activity so I don't forget important details. It only takes a few extra minutes but saves so much stress later if you get audited. Also, don't forget that informational interviews and career-related LinkedIn conversations can count as networking activities if you document them properly!