Had a friend who got fired and was told by her employer she couldn't get unemployment. She didn't apply for 3 months because she believed them. When she finally did apply, she lost out on all those weeks of benefits. Don't make the same mistake!

I went through something similar when I was terminated for "not meeting goals" even though I was never given clear performance metrics or coaching. The key thing is that Washington ESD distinguishes between misconduct (which disqualifies you) and just being a poor fit or not meeting expectations (which usually doesn't). Since you mentioned lack of proper training and feedback, that actually works in your favor - it shows the employer didn't give you adequate support to succeed. Apply immediately and be honest about the circumstances. The worst case is they deny you and you can appeal, but given what you've described, you'll likely be approved.

Wow, reading through this thread really highlights how frustrating ESD's system can be! @Ellie Lopez I'm so glad you were able to get your issue resolved through Claimyr. It's ridiculous that the system doesn't give any indication when there's an account flag - just silently blocking access leaves people completely in the dark. For anyone else dealing with similar login issues, it seems like the pattern is: silent refresh loop = account flag that requires calling ESD directly. The identity verification flags seem to trigger from things like logging in from different locations, which is pretty sensitive. Thanks to everyone who shared their troubleshooting steps and experiences - this thread will definitely help other people facing the same problem!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with the exact same silent refresh issue right now and was going crazy thinking it was just me. Based on what everyone's shared, it sounds like I probably have an account flag too. The fact that ESD's system doesn't provide ANY error message or notification is absolutely maddening - how are people supposed to know what's wrong? I've been trying the phone lines for days with no luck, so I'm definitely going to check out that Claimyr service that helped @Ellie Lopez. It's frustrating that we have to pay a third-party service to get through to our own state agency, but at this point I just need to file my claims. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least now I know I'm not alone in this struggle!

Bottom line: in your first 13 weeks, you can generally decline work that pays significantly less than your previous job (like the $15-16/hour offers you mentioned vs your $28/hour previous wage). After that, expectations become more flexible but there's still protection against having to accept inappropriate work. Document your job search thoroughly and don't hesitate to contact Washington ESD for guidance on specific situations.

I went through something similar a few months ago - was making $30/hour before layoff and getting offers around $18/hour. I documented each declined offer with reasons like "salary 40% below previous wage" and "would result in net income loss after work expenses." Washington ESD never questioned it during my first 3 months. The key is showing you're actively applying to appropriate positions while documenting legitimate reasons for declining unsuitable ones. Keep detailed records of everything - job applications, offers received, and reasons for any declines. This protects you if they ever review your claim.

after u get approved the weekly payments come super fast tho. like 2-3 days after filing each week

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - applied mid-December and still pending after 3+ weeks. It's so frustrating not knowing what's happening or how much longer it will take. Reading all these responses is both helpful and terrifying... 9 weeks?! I really hope mine doesn't take that long. Thanks for posting this question, at least now I know I'm not alone in this situation. Going to try calling again tomorrow and see if I can get through to someone who can give me an update on my claim status.

just wanted to say hang in there buddy. the waiting is the worst part, i know. it WILL get resolved eventually

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - been in adjudication for 4 weeks with all my weekly claims pending. The stress is unreal, especially when you're already dealing with job loss. What helped me cope a bit was setting up a daily routine to check my account at the same time, calling ESD first thing in the morning, and then trying to focus on job applications the rest of the day rather than constantly refreshing the page. One thing that might help while you wait - check if your county has emergency rental assistance programs. Many have funds specifically for people waiting on unemployment benefits. Also, some food banks don't require income verification and can help immediately. I know it doesn't solve the main problem but it might take some pressure off while you're waiting for ESD to get their act together. The waiting is absolutely brutal but from what I've read here, most people do eventually get approved and receive all their back pay. Try to hang in there - you're not alone in this mess.