This whole thread is incredibly helpful - I wish I had found this information months ago! I'm currently stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and my spouse just got out of the Air Force in January. We're staying in Washington for now, but seeing all these stories about military spouses getting denied benefits is concerning since we might get orders to move soon. One thing I'm wondering about - does the military spouse provision work both ways? Like if I (active duty) get PCS orders and my civilian spouse has to quit their job to move with me, they're covered. But what if my spouse gets a great job offer in another state and I have to request a compassionate reassignment or something? Would that still qualify under the same provision, or is it specifically only for PCS orders? Also, thank you to everyone sharing the specific RCW citation and practical tips about continuing to file weekly claims during appeals. This is exactly the kind of real-world advice that you can't find in the official ESD documentation!

As someone who works in military family services, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help others going through this process: 1. **Documentation is key** - In addition to PCS orders, keep copies of your resignation letter/separation paperwork that specifically mentions the military move. This helps establish the direct connection between your job separation and the PCS. 2. **State-specific variations** - While Washington has strong military spouse protections, each state handles this differently. If you're moving TO Washington from another state, you might need to file in your previous state of employment initially. 3. **Base resources** - Most bases have Family Readiness Group coordinators or Military Family Life Counselors who have dealt with this exact situation. They often have contacts at state unemployment offices and can provide guidance on the process. 4. **Timeline expectations** - Even with perfect documentation, allow 4-6 weeks for the entire process. The interstate coordination between unemployment systems adds complexity and time. For anyone currently dealing with this: don't let initial denials discourage you. The military spouse provision exists specifically because lawmakers recognized that military families shouldn't be penalized for serving our country. Persistence pays off!

my cousin works for the militarey and he said they have a special number u can call for this stuff. did u try the military support line?

I just went through this exact same issue last month! As a veteran myself, I can confirm that using 12/31/2099 is absolutely the right approach. I was initially hesitant too because it felt weird entering a "fake" date, but when I finally got through to ESD (took forever), the representative assured me this is their standard procedure for military IDs. One tip - take a screenshot of your completed application showing that date, just in case you need to reference it later if they ask any questions during processing. My claim went through without any issues and I never heard anything more about the expiration date. Also, if you're a military spouse like me, make sure you have both your military ID and your spouse's military documentation handy in case they need additional verification. Sometimes they ask for proof of your spouse's service status to confirm your dependent ID is valid. Good luck with your claim! The 2099 date trick definitely works.

This whole thread has been super helpful. I submitted my documents yesterday and now I know to expect 2-3 weeks and to keep filing weekly claims. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and timelines.

I went through identity verification about 6 months ago and it took exactly 2 weeks. One tip I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you have a passport, that can sometimes be processed faster than driver's license + social security card combo since it's a single federal document. Also, make sure you're checking your account at least once a day because sometimes they'll request additional documents and the notification isn't super obvious. The key is really just being patient and staying on top of your weekly claims like everyone said!

I just completed my WorkSource appointment yesterday and wanted to share since I see lots of mixed experiences here! Mine was virtual and the counselor was really professional and understanding. She actually helped me realize I was underselling myself in applications - we spent time going through job descriptions and matching my experience to what employers are looking for. The job search log review was thorough but fair - she acknowledged that some weeks are harder than others and gave tips for tracking activities more efficiently going forward. One thing that surprised me was they have access to job openings that aren't posted on the usual sites, and she sent me three relevant positions after our meeting. The whole appointment felt collaborative rather than punitive. For anyone still waiting for theirs - come prepared but don't overthink it. They really do want to help you succeed!

I had my WorkSource appointment about 3 weeks ago and wanted to share my experience since I was in a similar boat - hadn't claimed since 2018 and was really nervous about the changes. The good news is they've definitely streamlined the process! I chose virtual which worked great, and my counselor was actually really knowledgeable about my field (IT). She helped me identify some skills I hadn't thought to highlight and even suggested a free certification course through their partnership with local colleges. The job search log review wasn't as intimidating as I expected - she was more interested in the quality of my search strategy than nitpicking every detail. One tip: they have industry-specific workshops now that are actually worth attending, not just generic resume writing. The whole appointment felt more like career coaching than compliance checking. Definitely go in with an open mind - you might be surprised at how helpful it actually is!

I went through this exact same situation last year! ESD made a misconduct determination without ever contacting my employer too. It's incredibly frustrating but definitely fixable. Here's what saved me time: 1. File your appeal ONLINE immediately - don't mail it, the online system is faster 2. In the appeal, be very specific that your employer disputes the misconduct finding 3. Have your HR manager write a detailed letter explaining the actual reason for separation (layoff, position elimination, etc.) 4. Request your complete personnel file from HR - this shows your work history and any disciplinary actions (or lack thereof) The good news is that having your HR manager willing to represent you puts you in a much stronger position than most people. Most employers don't want to deal with unemployment hearings, so having someone from your company actively supporting your case is huge. One thing I learned: ESD sometimes defaults to "misconduct" when they don't receive employer information within their timeframe, even if that's not what actually happened. Your appeal hearing will be much more thorough than their initial determination process. Keep filing your weekly claims while you appeal - this is crucial for getting backpay if you win!

I had this exact same issue happen to me in December! ESD denied me for "misconduct" when I was actually laid off due to budget cuts. My employer never even got contacted by ESD either - it's like they just pick random reasons sometimes. Here's what worked for me: I filed my appeal online the same day I got the denial letter, and I had my former supervisor write a letter on company letterhead stating I was laid off, not fired for misconduct. The letter specifically said "This employee was not terminated for misconduct" and explained the actual reason (workforce reduction in my case). The appeal hearing was scheduled about a month later, and it was pretty straightforward. The judge asked my supervisor a few questions, looked at the documentation, and overturned ESD's decision immediately. I got all my backpay for the weeks I had filed claims during the appeal process. Having your HR manager willing to represent you is amazing - most people don't have that kind of support. Make sure she has all the details about your separation and can speak to your work performance. You're in a really good position to win this appeal! Also, definitely keep filing those weekly claims. I almost stopped filing because I thought there was no point, but thankfully someone on here told me to keep going. Would have lost thousands in backpay otherwise.