Final tip: if your claim gets denied for any reason, don't give up. You have the right to appeal, and many initial denials get overturned on appeal. The process can be slow but it's worth fighting for if you believe you qualify.

Good luck with your application, Jeremiah! From everything I've read here, it sounds like you have a solid case since you were employed when you were incarcerated and lost your job through no fault of your own. The most important things seem to be: 1) File as soon as possible online, 2) Be honest about your situation, 3) Keep detailed records of all your job search activities, and 4) Have your employment documentation ready from your previous job. Don't get discouraged if it takes longer than usual to process - that seems pretty normal for cases with employment gaps. You've got this!

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice! Just to update - I called ESD this morning after trying for THREE DAYS to get through. The agent said that virtual interviews should be marked as "not in-person" even if they're on video. She said the system was designed before Zoom interviews were common and they haven't updated it yet. She noted my account about the mistake and said it shouldn't affect my claim. For anyone else dealing with this, definitely select "no" for in-person on video interviews!

Thanks for sharing your experience with calling ESD! I'm glad you got it sorted out. This is such a common issue - I've seen this exact question come up multiple times in the past few months. The fact that their system hasn't been updated for virtual interviews really shows how behind they are with modern job search methods. For anyone else reading this thread, I'd also recommend documenting your virtual interviews the same way you would in-person ones. Keep screenshots of the interview invitation emails, calendar appointments, and any follow-up communications. If ESD ever does a job search review, having this backup documentation makes everything much smoother. The key takeaway seems to be: Virtual = Not In-Person, even if you're on camera. Simple rule to remember!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel a lot more prepared to file my claim now. Sounds like I can expect somewhere in the $600-700 range based on my salary, which would definitely help while I'm job hunting.

Based on your $52k salary, you should expect around $600-650 per week in benefits. The calculation uses your highest earning quarter during the base period (typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). Washington's benefit formula is roughly 50% of your average weekly wage from that quarter, but there are minimum and maximum caps. Since you're filing for the first time, make sure to have all your employment dates, employer info, and reason for separation ready. The online application is pretty straightforward once you gather everything. Good luck!

Final thought on reasonable assurance - even if Washington ESD initially denies your claim, you can still file weekly claims and appeal the decision. If you win the appeal, they'll pay you retroactively for all the weeks you were eligible. Don't just give up after the first denial.

I'm a substitute teacher too and went through this exact situation last year. The "reasonable assurance" rule is really tricky - what matters is whether your district gave you a definitive commitment about returning, not just a casual "we hope you'll be back." Since your principal only said there's a "good chance" but nothing guaranteed, you might actually have a strong case for benefits. I'd recommend documenting everything - save any emails or texts from the school, and when you talk to Washington ESD, emphasize that you have no written guarantee and that substitute positions are inherently uncertain. Don't let them brush you off with generic responses. You deserve those benefits to get through the summer!

Based on everything you've shared, here's what I recommend: 1. Have your husband document all safety issues and schedule discrepancies 2. Have him quit formally, in writing, citing the specific issues 3. Report the quit accurately on his next weekly claim 4. Continue doing 3 job search activities every week 5. Prepare for 4-8 weeks of adjudication (have financial backup if possible) 6. Answer all ESD communications promptly With proper documentation of unsafe conditions and the misrepresented schedule, he has a good chance of maintaining eligibility from his original claim. The key is documentation and prompt communication with ESD.

Just wanted to add - if your husband does decide to quit, make sure he gets any final documentation from the temp agency too, not just the worksite. Sometimes temp agencies have their own records of complaints or issues that could support his case. Also, if there are any OSHA violations happening, he could potentially file a complaint with L&I (Washington State Department of Labor & Industries) which would create an official record. That kind of government documentation really strengthens a "good cause" argument with ESD. Good luck to you both - sounds like he's in a really tough spot but you're handling it smart by getting advice first!