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one more thing nobody mentioned - make sure ur checking ur mail too not just online messages. ESD sent me a paper form asking for more info and i almost missed it cuz i never check my mailbox lol
Oh that's a good point! I hardly ever check my physical mail either. I'll make sure to keep an eye on it. Thanks!
As someone who just went through this process a few months ago, I wanted to share what worked for me. I created a simple spreadsheet to track my job search activities with columns for date, company, position, method of application, and any follow-up actions. This made it super easy to stay organized and detailed. Also, don't stress too much about the adjudication - mine took about 3 weeks and was approved with full backpay. The waiting is the hardest part but just keep doing everything you're supposed to do (weekly claims, job searches) and it usually works out. You're asking all the right questions which shows you're taking it seriously!
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If your standby request gets denied, you'd receive a determination letter explaining why. The most common reasons are: 1. Return date too far in the future without employer verification 2. Employer failed to submit their portion of the request 3. You've exceeded the maximum standby period allowable If denied, you would immediately become subject to job search requirements (3 activities per week) retroactive to when you requested standby. This means you could potentially be disqualified for those weeks if you haven't been doing job searches while waiting for approval. As a precaution, some people continue doing and documenting job searches even while waiting for standby approval, just in case.
THIS!!! This is exactly what happened to me! Do your job searches anyway just to be safe until you get that approval letter!!!
Update: I talked to my employer and they're submitting the form today. I'm going to do my weekly claim tomorrow and select standby as my reason. I'll also document some job searches just in case something goes wrong with the standby approval. Thanks everyone for your help! This whole system is so complicated and the website really doesn't explain any of this clearly.
Good plan! Hope it all works out smoothly for you.
Smart move doing the job searches as backup! I learned that lesson the hard way when my first standby request got delayed. Keep us posted on how it goes - your situation will probably help other people who run into the same confusion.
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One last thought - consider consulting with an employment attorney before you quit. Many offer free consultations and they can help you understand if your situation truly qualifies for good cause under Washington law.
That's actually a really good idea. I hadn't thought about getting legal advice first.
It's worth the peace of mind, especially since you're dealing with potential financial hardship. They can also help you understand what documentation will be most effective.
I've been through this exact situation and want to share some practical tips. First, make sure you keep a detailed log with dates, times, and specific incidents - not just general statements about toxicity. Washington ESD looks for patterns of behavior that would make any reasonable person quit. Second, save any text messages or voicemails if your boss contacts you outside work hours with abusive language. Third, if you have coworkers who witnessed the behavior, get their contact info as potential witnesses. The adjudication process is thorough but fair if you have solid documentation. Also, start job hunting before you quit so you can show ESD you're actively seeking work immediately after leaving. Your mental health matters, and Washington does protect workers in genuinely hostile situations.
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when i was on unemployment it was like this the whole time. first payment took like 4 weeks after approval, then after that it was pretty regular. hang in there!
THIS!!! First payment is ALWAYS delayed! They never tell you this when you apply but ask ANYONE who's been on unemployment and they'll tell you the same thing. It's like they have to manually approve your first payment or something. Complete garbage system!!!
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Got approved two weeks ago but all my payments are still showing "pending" with no explanation. It's so stressful not knowing if there's an issue or if it's just their normal slow process. Reading everyone's experiences here is actually really helpful - at least I know I'm not the only one dealing with this. Going to try calling again tomorrow morning right when they open, maybe I'll have better luck getting through then. Thanks for posting about this!
Muhammad Hobbs
Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I learned a lot from this thread. Going to apply and hope for the best with my role change situation.
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Elin Robinson
•Good luck! Hope it works out for you.
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Noland Curtis
•Keep us posted on what Washington ESD says!
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Mateo Perez
Just want to add another perspective - I'm a substitute teacher in Washington and I was actually able to collect unemployment last summer because subs typically don't have that "reasonable assurance" of work. So the rules definitely vary depending on your exact employment situation. Since you're switching from teaching to librarian, that role change might work in your favor. The key is that it's a different job classification with different duties, even though it's in the same district. I'd definitely encourage you to apply - worst case they say no, but you might be surprised!
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Chris Elmeda
•That's really encouraging to hear from a substitute's perspective! The fact that you were able to collect as a sub gives me hope that my situation might be different enough. You're right that the job classification change from classroom teacher to librarian could be the key factor. Even though it's the same district, the daily responsibilities and requirements are completely different. I'm definitely going to apply first thing tomorrow and emphasize how substantially different the librarian role is from teaching English. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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Lilah Brooks
•This is really helpful! I didn't realize substitutes had different rules. Makes sense that the "reasonable assurance" doesn't apply when you don't know if you'll get called in. Your point about job classification is spot on - librarian positions require different certifications and have completely different daily duties than classroom teaching. I'm feeling more optimistic about applying now. Did you have any trouble with the application process, or was it pretty straightforward once you got through to someone?
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