I went through something similar last year when I had to travel for a family emergency. Here's what worked for me: I called WorkSource about 3 weeks before my trip and explained the situation. They were actually pretty understanding and let me reschedule my RESEA appointment for after I returned. The key is calling them well in advance and having a legitimate reason. Don't just no-show! Also, when you reopen your claim after travel, make sure to document the exact dates you were unavailable for work. I kept receipts from my trip just in case they asked for proof later. The waiting week when you restart is annoying but it's standard procedure. Good luck!

I've been through a similar situation and want to emphasize what others have said - definitely contact WorkSource ASAP! I had to travel unexpectedly last summer and called them about 4 weeks before my scheduled RESEA appointment. They were able to reschedule it without any issues. The agent I spoke with said they get requests like this fairly often and can accommodate them as long as you call in advance rather than just not showing up. When I called, I just explained that I had pre-planned travel and wouldn't be available, and they rescheduled me for about a week after I returned. No documentation was required over the phone, just a clear explanation of why I couldn't make the original date. For the weekly claims, you're absolutely right not to file while you're unavailable for work - that would be fraud. The inactive claim situation is manageable, just budget for that gap in payments when you return. The whole process of reopening took me about a week once I was back and ready to job search again.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! This is really reassuring to know that Washington ESD has most employment records in their system already. I'm feeling much better about filing my claim now. I'll gather up my recent pay stubs and W-2 just in case, and make sure to use my full legal name on the application. Really appreciate all the detailed responses - this community is so helpful!

I just went through this process a few months ago and wanted to add that if you have any gaps in employment, Washington ESD might ask for additional documentation to explain those periods. In my case, I had a 2-month gap between jobs and they wanted to verify I wasn't working during that time. I had to provide a brief written explanation and show that I wasn't receiving any unreported income. It didn't delay my claim much, but it's something to be prepared for. Also, keep digital copies of all your employment documents stored somewhere safe - you never know when you might need them again for future claims or other purposes.

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I've decided to: 1. Stop filing UI claims during my recovery 2. Apply for PFML (already checked and I have enough hours) 3. Use Claimyr to reach ESD before my surgery to confirm everything 4. Reopen my UI claim once I'm cleared to work Really appreciate all the guidance - this community is amazing!

Just wanted to add something important that I learned the hard way - if you're planning to apply for PFML, make sure you get all your medical documentation ready BEFORE your surgery. You'll need forms filled out by your doctor, and it's much easier to get these done during your pre-op appointment than trying to chase down paperwork while you're recovering. Also, PFML benefits are only about 90% of your average weekly wage (with caps), so it might be less than your UI benefits depending on your situation. Budget accordingly! The good news is that stopping and restarting UI claims is pretty straightforward once you know the process.

mine is working now btw. just filed my claim. try again. i think they fixed whatever was wrong

I've been dealing with similar issues all morning! What worked for me was switching to mobile data instead of WiFi - seems like the security system might be flagging certain IP ranges. Also, if you're still having trouble, try accessing the site through the mobile app if you have it downloaded. The app seems to handle their server load better than the web version. Hope this helps and glad to see others were able to get through!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I'm feeling much more confident about taking this part-time job and still collecting partial benefits. This thread has been super helpful.

I've been in a similar situation and can share what I learned from experience. In Washington state, there's no specific hour limit - it's all about your weekly earnings compared to your weekly benefit amount. You can work part-time and still receive partial unemployment benefits as long as your gross weekly earnings don't exceed your weekly benefit amount plus $5. So if your weekly benefit is $350, you could earn up to $355 before losing benefits completely. With your offer of 15 hours at $18/hour ($270 per week), you should still qualify for partial benefits. The key is to report ALL your work hours and gross earnings accurately on your weekly claim - even if it's just one hour. Washington ESD will automatically calculate your partial benefit amount. Also remember you still need to be available for full-time work and continue your job search activities. Don't let fear of losing benefits prevent you from taking work - the system is designed to encourage part-time employment while you search for full-time work.