Final reminder - start your job search immediately even while waiting for benefits to kick in. Washington takes the work search requirement seriously and you want to have a good record from day one.

Just wanted to add that it's really important to be completely honest on your application about the reason for separation from your job. Even though it's a layoff, make sure you have documentation from your employer (like a layoff notice or termination letter) that clearly states it wasn't due to misconduct. This can help prevent your claim from going into adjudication unnecessarily. Also, if you have any union involvement or severance pay, make sure to report that accurately as it can affect your benefit timing and amount.

Bottom line - you probably don't qualify for unemployment while on approved leave, but PFML might be exactly what you need for your caregiving situation. That program is specifically designed for people who need to take time off to care for family members.

I went through something very similar when I had to take care of my grandmother last year. You're right that you can't get regular unemployment while on approved leave - I learned that the hard way. But definitely pursue PFML! The application process was pretty straightforward once I got the medical documentation together. You'll need your parent's doctor to fill out forms certifying the serious health condition, but it's worth it. PFML gave me about 90% of my regular pay during the leave. The Washington State PFML website has a good eligibility tool that can help you figure out if you qualify and estimate your benefits. Don't give up - there is help available, just not through the unemployment system.

I went through a similar disqualification last year for what my employer called "poor attitude" - which was really just me asking questions about overtime policies. The whole process is intimidating but you definitely have options. Here's what I learned: 1) Appeal immediately - you have nothing to lose and everything to gain, 2) Keep filing your weekly claims during the appeal (this is crucial for getting back pay if you win), 3) Document everything about the incident while it's fresh in your memory, and 4) Don't let the scary-sounding letter discourage you. Most misconduct disqualifications in Washington are temporary penalties, not permanent bans. The adjudicators during appeals actually listen to your side of the story, unlike the initial determination which is often based only on what your employer reports. Stay strong and fight it!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said - don't panic! I was in almost the exact same situation about 8 months ago. Got disqualified for "misconduct" after what I felt was a completely unfair termination. The disqualification notice is intentionally scary and confusing, but it's not the end of the world. Here's what helped me: First, I appealed within the 30-day window (this is critical - don't miss that deadline). Second, I gathered every piece of documentation I could find - text messages, emails, witness contact info, company policies, everything. Third, I kept filing my weekly claims religiously even though I wasn't getting paid - this saved me when I eventually won my appeal and got 12 weeks of back pay. The hearing itself was actually pretty fair - the judge let me tell my whole story and really listened. Your case about defending yourself from an abusive customer sounds like it has real merit. Customer service workers have rights too, and employers can't just label any response to harassment as "misconduct." Fight this - you've got more support and options than you realize right now.

One final piece of advice - document everything. Keep a log of all your weekly claims with confirmation numbers, take screenshots of your claim status showing the adjudication date, and note any attempts to contact ESD. If there are any issues with backpay once your claim is processed, this documentation will be crucial for proving you did everything correctly on your end.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My claim has been in adjudication since July 15th with absolutely no communication from ESD. It's so frustrating to see that portal just sitting there showing "pending" day after day. I've been filing my weekly claims religiously too but zero payments. Reading through all these responses is both reassuring and terrifying - reassuring that I'm not alone in this mess, but terrifying that some people have waited 12+ weeks! I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service that Brady mentioned because I've called ESD probably 15 times and can never get through to a human. @Daniel Rivera - please keep us updated on how your interviews go and whether you end up getting your backpay sorted out. We're all in this together and it helps to know we're not going crazy dealing with this broken system.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much better prepared to deal with my taxes now. Going to file early and see what happens.

One thing I learned the hard way - if you're planning to be on unemployment again in the future, definitely set up the tax withholding from the start. Even though it reduces your weekly benefit amount, it's so much better than getting hit with a huge tax bill later. You can change the withholding setting in your Washington ESD online account under preferences. I wish I had known this when I first filed - would have saved me so much financial stress during tax season.