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Just wanted to add that the Spokane office is open 8:30-4:30 and they were actually pretty helpful when I went there for help filing my initial claim. But they were clear that they couldn't help with anything related to adjudication or appeals.
This is exactly why the system is so frustrating. Simple cases sitting in queues for weeks while people can't get through to get them resolved.
That's really encouraging to hear! I've been stuck in adjudication limbo for over a month too and getting nowhere with the phone system. Definitely going to check out Claimyr - sounds like it's worth trying if it actually gets results. Thanks for sharing your experience!
This whole thread has been really informative. I'm in a similar situation with freelance work plus some W-2 income, so I'm going to look into filing too. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and knowledge!
I've been following this discussion and wanted to add that Washington State also has some vocational rehabilitation services that might be worth looking into while you're navigating the unemployment system. If your consulting business has been struggling due to economic changes in your industry, WorkSource offices sometimes have retraining programs or career transition assistance that could help you pivot or enhance your skills. These services are separate from UI benefits but could complement whatever assistance you're able to get. It might be worth scheduling an appointment with a WorkSource counselor to discuss your options - they can often provide a more comprehensive view of available resources beyond just unemployment insurance.
That's a really good point about vocational rehabilitation services! I hadn't considered that angle at all. Since my consulting business has been slow partly due to changes in my industry, it might make sense to look into skill enhancement or even pivoting to related areas where there's more demand. Do you know if WorkSource counselors can help you figure out what skills are most in-demand locally? I'm wondering if I could use this slow period to actually strengthen my position for the future, whether that's through better consulting opportunities or finding a good W-2 position that complements my business.
So glad it worked out quickly for you! It's amazing how such a small detail can hold up the entire process.
That's such great news! Thanks for coming back to update everyone - it really helps when people share their results. It's frustrating that something so simple can cause weeks of delays, but at least now others will know exactly what to do. The fact that it only took one day after uploading the back side really shows that was the missing piece. Glad you can finally get your benefits sorted out!
This is exactly why this community is so valuable! I've been lurking here for weeks trying to figure out my own ESD issues, and seeing real people share their actual experiences and solutions is so much more helpful than trying to decode ESD's confusing website. @Royal_GM_Mark thanks for following up with the results - that gives me hope that my situation might resolve quickly too once I figure out what's missing from my case.
I went through something similar when I was on unemployment last year. The retail manager who called me was really aggressive about it too, saying I "had to" take their offer or face consequences. I ended up calling Washington ESD directly (took forever to get through) and they confirmed that a $13/hour part-time job is definitely not suitable work for someone who was making $24/hour full-time. The wage difference alone - that's almost a 50% pay cut - gives you clear grounds to refuse. Don't let them intimidate you. Your benefits are there to give you time to find appropriate work that matches your skills and experience level.
That's exactly what I was worried about - the intimidation tactics! It's so frustrating that employers try to use scare tactics like that. A 50% pay cut is definitely not reasonable, especially after only 6 weeks. I'm glad you were able to get confirmation directly from Washington ESD. I'm feeling much more confident about declining this offer now and focusing on finding something that actually matches my background and salary expectations.
Exactly! These aggressive tactics are unfortunately pretty common. I had a similar experience where a telemarketing company called and basically demanded I show up or they'd "report me for refusing work." It's really just a bluff most of the time - they're desperate to fill positions quickly and think they can pressure unemployed people into accepting whatever they offer. The truth is, Washington ESD actually wants you to find sustainable employment that makes sense for your situation, not just take the first low-paying job that comes along. A 50% pay cut after only 6 weeks unemployed is absolutely unreasonable. You're smart to stand your ground!
I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation right now! Got a call from a fast food place offering $12/hour when I was making $26/hour as a project coordinator. They used the same threatening language about reporting me to Washington ESD if I didn't accept. It's really stressful when you're already worried about money and someone tries to scare you like that. Reading everyone's responses here is so reassuring - I had no idea there were actual protections in place for situations like this. The suitable work standards make total sense when you think about it. Why would the state want skilled workers to take jobs that don't utilize their experience and pay poverty wages? That would just create more problems in the long run. Thanks for asking this question - you've helped more people than just yourself!
Diego Mendoza
Just to add one more detail - when you report your training hours, you'll report them for the week they're worked, not when you get paid for them. So if your training is this week but you don't get your first paycheck until next week, you still report the hours and earnings for this week's claim.
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Isabella Silva
•Thank you! That's really helpful - my company pays bi-weekly so I won't see the money for a couple weeks, but I'll report it now. Appreciate everyone's help with this!
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Taylor To
Great question! I went through something similar when I started my current job. Just want to emphasize what others have said - definitely report ALL paid training hours as work. ESD doesn't care if you're filing paperwork, watching training videos, or doing hands-on work - if you're getting paid, it's reportable income and hours. I learned this the hard way when I forgot to report some orientation hours and had to deal with their overpayment process later. Better to be completely transparent from the start!
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