This thread is gold for anyone going through the determination process. Bookmarking for future reference!

I went through this exact same process last year after being laid off from my office job. The "qualifying separation determination" basically means Washington ESD is verifying that your job separation qualifies you for benefits. Since you were laid off due to company downsizing (not fired for cause or voluntarily quit), you should definitely be approved. The process took about 3 weeks for me, but that was during a less busy time. Just keep filing your weekly claims while you wait - don't stop doing that even though it's pending! The anxiety is real but layoffs are pretty much the most straightforward approvals they handle.

hey did u do ur weekly claims even tho ur appealing? my friend didnt and lost all his backpay when he won his appeal

I'm going through something similar right now - my employer is claiming I abandoned my job when they actually terminated me for "restructuring." It's so frustrating when they can just lie like that! One thing that helped me was thinking about WHY my employer might be lying. In my case, I think they don't want their unemployment insurance rates to go up from having to pay out benefits. That could be worth mentioning at your hearing - give the judge a reason to understand your employer's motivation to misrepresent what happened. Also, make sure you keep filing your weekly claims! I almost made that mistake early on. Even though you're disqualified right now, you need to keep certifying so you can get backpay if you win your appeal. The fact that you applied immediately after being let go is definitely in your favor. I did the same thing and my lawyer said that's one of the strongest pieces of evidence that I didn't voluntarily quit. People who quit usually take time before filing because they know they might not qualify. Stay strong and stick to the truth! The system isn't perfect but it's not completely rigged either.

Based on everything in this thread, I think your best approach is to: 1. Document the offer completely 2. Report it accurately on your weekly claim 3. Be prepared to explain specifically why it doesn't meet the 80% threshold at your current stage 4. Try to speak directly with an ESD representative for clarity (using Claimyr or other means to get through) 5. Continue your job search efforts at the same or increased intensity The system is designed to help people find suitable employment, not force them into jobs that represent a major regression in their career or financial stability. Just make sure you follow all the proper procedures so your benefits remain protected.

I went through something similar about 8 months ago. The key thing that saved me was getting everything in writing and being very specific about WHY the job wasn't suitable when I reported it. Don't just say "low pay" - calculate the exact percentage difference and mention other factors like the increased work days. In my case, I declined a job that was 40% less than my previous wage at the 14-week mark. ESD initially flagged it for review, but because I had documented everything properly and could show it was well below the 80% threshold for my timeframe, they approved my continued benefits without any issues. Also, if this employer is pressuring you for a quick answer, remember that you have the right to reasonable time to consider any job offer. Don't let them rush you into a decision before you've had time to calculate all the financial implications and document everything properly.

This has been a really informative thread. I had no idea churches could opt out of unemployment taxes. Learn something new every day I guess.

I work in payroll for a mid-sized company and we deal with various types of employers. One thing to keep in mind is that even if your church was exempt from unemployment taxes, you should still file the claim because Washington ESD needs to make the official determination. Sometimes organizations think they're exempt when they're actually not, or they may have changed their election status at some point. The worst that can happen is you get denied, but at least you'll know for sure. In the meantime, definitely look into other support programs through DSHS as others have mentioned - there are often temporary assistance options available while you're job searching.

One more thing to consider - even if your claim isn't in full adjudication, there might be a mandatory waiting week. In Washington, the first week you're eligible is usually a waiting week where you don't get paid. But you still need to file a claim for that week! This is separate from adjudication issues.

Update on your "pending issue" status - that definitely means something is flagged in your claim that needs resolution. It could be anything from identity verification to employer response issues. Unfortunately, these can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to resolve, depending on the complexity and current ESD workload. Your best option is to speak directly with an ESD representative to find out what specifically is causing the pending issue and if there's anything you can do to help resolve it faster. Keep filing those weekly claims in the meantime!