Last thought - check if you answered any questions differently on your recent weekly claims. Sometimes even small changes in how you answer can trigger a disqualification review.

I'm going through something similar right now! My claim got disqualified last week out of nowhere too. From what I've learned reading through all these responses, it sounds like reporting work income for the first time often triggers an automatic review that can lead to temporary disqualification. The key things seem to be: 1) Keep filing your weekly claims even while disqualified to preserve backpay rights, 2) Look for any determination letters in your account or mail, 3) Check your job search log to make sure all contacts are properly recorded, and 4) Be prepared to appeal if needed. The 30-day appeal window is crucial! Hope you get answers soon when you call tomorrow morning.

Hey everyone! Just wanted to update after talking to my adjudicator directly. She confirmed that yes, my employer will see most documents I submit, but she also said I can request certain sensitive items be marked for "adjudicator review only" if they contain personal information beyond what's needed for the claim decision. I ended up submitting everything including the texts since they directly relate to why I left. The adjudicator actually thanked me for being thorough with my evidence. Still waiting on the decision, but feeling better about the process now. Thanks for all the advice!

Wait, I'm confused - are you the same person as William Schwarz who originally posted this question? Your username shows as Zoey Bianchi but you're saying "my adjudicator" and "I ended up submitting everything" like you're the OP. Just want to make sure I understand who's giving this update! Either way, thanks for sharing the info about the "adjudicator review only" option. That seems like a good middle ground for sensitive documents that are relevant to the case but might cause problems if shared with the employer.

My friend got in BIG trouble because she stopped claiming as soon as she got hired, then got laid off during her probation period and tried to restart benefits. ESD flagged her account and she had to go through this whole investigation thing. Just keep filing and be honest about hours!!

Congrats on landing the job! I went through this exact situation last year. Definitely keep filing your weekly claims and report every single hour you work, even before getting paid. I made the mistake of thinking I could claim partial benefits during my first week since I only worked 3 days, but ESD calculates it based on total hours worked in that week, not days. Also, don't forget to report any orientation or training hours too - those count as work hours. The transition period can feel confusing but being completely transparent with ESD is always the safest route. Good luck with the new position!

The ESD website is super misleading about this. On my account it showed I had a "benefit balance" of like $8k remaining but then just cut me off at 26 weeks with no warning. I ended up getting a random customer service job just to pay bills even though I'm an accountant. The whole system feels designed to confuse people!

I'm dealing with this exact same frustration right now! My benefit year ends next month and I still have around $5,200 left in my account that will just disappear. It's so counterintuitive - you'd think the system would let you use the full amount you qualified for, especially when you're actively working part-time and job searching. One thing I learned from my WorkSource counselor is that you can potentially qualify for state food assistance (Basic Food) and emergency rental assistance through DSHS while you transition off unemployment. The income limits are pretty reasonable if you're only working part-time. Might be worth looking into those programs to bridge the gap while you're still interviewing. The application process can take a few weeks though, so don't wait until your benefits actually end. Also, keep detailed records of all your job search activities during these last few weeks - if you do end up requalifying later, they sometimes audit your work search compliance retroactively.

Hope your friend gets this sorted out. Unemployment fraud is no joke and Washington ESD takes it very seriously. The sooner he contacts them, the better his chances of avoiding criminal charges.

As someone who works in the legal field, I can confirm that Washington ESD absolutely has access to incarceration data through their data-sharing agreements with law enforcement agencies. Your friend needs to understand this isn't just about stopping benefits - continued filing while incarcerated can result in felony fraud charges if the amount exceeds certain thresholds. The best course of action is immediate disclosure to Washington ESD, preferably with documentation of the arrest date and expected release. They may allow him to resume benefits once released if he's otherwise eligible, but only if he handles this transparently from the start.