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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.
One last thing - if you do end up needing to call Washington ESD for any reason, seriously consider using Claimyr. I can't stress enough how much easier it made getting actual help instead of just listening to hold music for hours.
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.
Good luck with your application! Partial unemployment was a lifesaver for me during a tough period. Don't hesitate to reach out here if you run into any issues - this community is pretty helpful with Washington ESD questions.
One last tip - set up direct deposit if you qualify for benefits. Paper checks take forever and can get lost in the mail. You can set this up during the application process or add it later through your online account.
Sofia Perez
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.
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Dmitry Smirnov
•This happened to my sister. Her boss offered her more hours but she said no because of childcare, then got denied for partial benefits.
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Sofia Perez
•Childcare issues can sometimes qualify as good cause for refusing work, but you have to document it properly and show you're actively looking for solutions.
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ElectricDreamer
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).
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NeonNinja
•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.
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Anastasia Popov
•Good luck! Make sure to document everything about your job separation and be completely honest on your application. Washington ESD will verify information with your employer anyway.
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