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!

Thanks everyone for all the advice. This thread convinced me to stop procrastinating and just file. Hopefully I can get approved for backdating and minimize the damage from waiting two weeks.

I'm in a very similar boat - lost my job three weeks ago and kept putting off filing because I was optimistic about some leads that didn't pan out. Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening. I had no idea about the waiting week or how long the processing actually takes. Sounds like we both need to get our applications in ASAP. The backdating option gives me some hope that we haven't completely screwed ourselves by waiting. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't get from the official websites.

It si weird but I think they want you to keep filling out the wekly claim forms even with $0 bennefits left. When mine ran out the lady on the fone told me to keep doing it for the "oficcial record" even tho I wouldn't get any more money. Made no sense to me but I did it for a while cause I was scared of messing something up.

I'm in the exact same situation! Just exhausted my benefits two weeks ago and keep getting those weekly claim notices. Reading through everyone's responses here is really helpful - sounds like there's mixed opinions but the consensus seems to be that continuing to file is probably the safer option even if it feels pointless. Has anyone had luck with the WorkSource services mentioned? I'm wondering if they have any programs specifically for people who've exhausted UI benefits or if it's just general job search help. Also curious about that Training Benefits Program someone mentioned - does anyone know what the qualifications are for that? Thanks for posting this question Carmen - I was literally about to ask the same thing!

Bottom line - report your work honestly on your weekly claims. If you earn too much to qualify for benefits, you simply won't receive payment for that week. Your claim stays active in case you need it later. Don't overthink it!

I went through this exact same situation last year! The key is to keep filing your weekly claims and just be completely honest about your work hours and wages. When I started my new job, I was nervous about making mistakes too, but Washington ESD's system is actually pretty forgiving if you're transparent. Even if you earn over the weekly benefit amount and get $0 that week, filing keeps your claim active. That way if something happens with the job (which hopefully it won't!), you can easily restart getting benefits without having to reapply. Congrats on the new position and don't stress too much about this part!