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One more denial reason people forget about - if you're still technically employed but just had your hours reduced, you might be eligible for partial benefits. But if Washington ESD finds out you turned down available hours at your current job, that could disqualify you.
Bottom line: even if you think you might get denied, it's usually worth applying anyway. The worst they can say is no, and you might be surprised. I thought I'd get denied for voluntary quit but they approved me because I had good cause (unsafe working conditions).
Thanks everyone for all the detailed info! I think I'll apply and see what happens. Sounds like there are more exceptions and appeals options than I realized.
One more thing - if you do file and get approved, don't forget to report any part-time work or odd jobs. Even small amounts of income need to be reported on your weekly claims or you could get hit with an overpayment later.
If you do need to call Washington ESD about anything, definitely check out that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. I finally got through to an agent last week after trying for a month on my own. Sometimes you just need that extra help to navigate their phone system.
This is all really good information. I think the key takeaway is that unemployment and PFML serve different purposes and you can't use them at the same time.
The reality check here is that extended unemployment benefits are rare and only happen during major economic downturns. The regular unemployment program is what most people get, and when that's done, you're on your own. It's not ideal but that's the current system.
I guess I was hoping there might be some state-specific programs or something I didn't know about. Thanks for the reality check though.
Just want to echo what others have said - start planning now for when your benefits end. Look into other assistance programs, consider temporary work, maybe even reach out to family or friends who might know about job opportunities. The transition can be really tough if you're not prepared.
Thanks for the advice. I'll start looking into other assistance programs this week. Better to be prepared than caught off guard.
Leila Haddad
I tried calling Washington ESD last week about reactivating an old claim and couldn't get through after trying for 3 days. Finally used Claimyr and got connected to an agent within an hour. Worth every penny when you need to actually talk to someone.
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Zainab Mahmoud
•That's the third person who's mentioned that service. Might be worth looking into if I have any issues with my claim.
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Leila Haddad
•Definitely check out their demo video if you're curious. Shows exactly how it works.
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Emma Johnson
File as soon as you're eligible! Don't worry about how many times you've filed before. The worst thing you can do is wait and miss out on benefits you're entitled to.
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Zainab Mahmoud
•You're right. I'm going to file online today. Thanks everyone for the advice and reassurance!
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Emma Johnson
•Good luck with your claim! Hope you get back to work soon.
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