One more thing to consider - once you start your job, you'll file one more weekly claim for your last week of unemployment (the partial week before starting work). If you start mid-week, you can report your earnings for the days you worked, and potentially get partial benefits for the days you didn't work. Just be honest about your hours and earnings when you file that final claim.

Congrats on getting your job back! I went through something similar last year. Just wanted to emphasize what others have said - definitely report the job offer on your next weekly claim when it asks about accepting future work. I made the mistake of thinking I only needed to report it when I actually started, but ESD specifically wants to know about offers too. Also, if you're looking for job search activities that don't feel wasteful, you could do things like update your LinkedIn profile, attend virtual job fairs, or do online career assessments. Those all count toward your 3 required activities and might actually be useful for your career even though you already have this position lined up.

The bottom line is that Washington ESD takes work search requirements seriously. They have the technology and staff to verify compliance, so it's not worth risking your benefits by cutting corners. Keep detailed records of everything!

I've been documenting everything meticulously since day one - spreadsheet with dates, company names, positions, application methods, and follow-up notes. Even screenshot confirmations when I can. Reading about all these audits makes me glad I took it seriously from the start. One thing I'm curious about though - has anyone been audited more than once? Is it completely random or do they focus on certain types of claims?

I just went through this same process last month and it was definitely frustrating at first. Here's what worked for me: take photos in natural daylight near a window, use a plain white piece of paper as background, and make sure every corner of your documents is visible and flat. For the social security card especially, the numbers need to be crystal clear - that seems to be where a lot of people get stuck. Also double-check that your name is spelled exactly the same way across all documents and your original application. Even small differences like "Jr." vs "Junior" can cause delays. The whole process took about 10 days once I submitted good quality photos.

Just wanted to share my recent experience with Washington ESD identity verification since I see so many people struggling with this. I finally got approved after being stuck for almost 3 weeks! Here's what made the difference: I used my phone's document scanner app instead of just the regular camera - it automatically adjusts lighting and contrast which made my documents much clearer. Also, I learned that if you have any name variations (like maiden name, nicknames, etc.) anywhere in your work history, you might need additional documentation to prove they're all the same person. In my case, I had to submit my marriage certificate because my previous employer had my maiden name on file. The process is definitely a pain but hang in there - once you get the right documents submitted clearly, it goes through pretty quickly.

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm new to this community but facing a similar situation - I work part-time at a grocery store and just got notice that my hours are being cut from about 28 hours per week down to maybe 12-15 hours starting next month due to overstaffing. I had no idea that partial unemployment was even an option in Washington! Reading through everyone's experiences and advice has been so helpful. The breakdown of the earnings formula, the importance of accurate reporting, and all the practical tips about documentation and the application process are exactly what I needed to know. I'm feeling much more confident about filing when my hours actually get reduced. One question I have - for those who've been through this, how quickly did you typically see your first payment after filing? I'm trying to budget for the transition period. Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and making this feel much less overwhelming!

New member here but I've been reading through this entire thread and wow, what an incredibly helpful discussion! I'm actually facing almost the exact same situation as the OP - I work part-time at a retail clothing store and just found out my hours are getting slashed from around 25 hours per week down to maybe 10 hours starting in January due to post-holiday slowdown. I had absolutely no idea that partial unemployment benefits were even a thing in Washington state! This whole conversation has been so educational. The detailed explanations about the earnings formula, the importance of reporting gross wages accurately, keeping detailed documentation, and all the practical filing tips have given me a roadmap for when I need to navigate this process myself. I'm especially grateful for the advice about filing as soon as the hour reduction actually happens rather than waiting to see if things improve. It sounds like Washington ESD's system is actually designed to help people in situations like ours, which is reassuring. I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread and refer back to it when I file my claim next month. Thank you everyone for being so generous with sharing your experiences and knowledge - this community seems amazing for getting real-world advice about dealing with unemployment issues in Washington!

Bottom line: yes you have to search for work, 3 activities per week minimum, log everything in WorkSourceWA, keep detailed records. There's no getting around it unless you have a specific exemption like standby status. Better to overcomply than risk losing your benefits.

I just went through this exact situation last month! Yes, you absolutely must do job search activities - it's 3 per week minimum. I was also confused at first because there's so much conflicting information out there. What really helped me was setting up a simple routine: I spend Monday morning applying to jobs, Wednesday doing networking or attending virtual workshops, and Friday following up on applications or doing skills training. The key is logging EVERYTHING in WorkSourceWA immediately after you do it. Don't wait until the end of the week like I did initially - it's much harder to remember all the details. Also, keep a backup folder with screenshots and emails just in case. The system seems overwhelming at first but once you get into the habit, it becomes second nature.