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When I worked for ESD back in 2019, we specifically instructed claimants NOT to report obvious scam solicitations. The relevant question on weekly claims is asking about actual job offers, which means an employer has specifically selected you for a position after some form of application or interview process. Random unsolicited texts don't qualify. But I'm going to disagree slightly with some others here - if you receive what seems like a legitimate job offer through LinkedIn or a professional channel from an actual company, even if unsolicited, you should report that and be prepared to explain why you didn't pursue it if that's the case. Better safe than sorry with potentially legitimate offers.
Thank you for this insider perspective! That really clarifies things. I've been getting both obvious scams and some borderline ones through LinkedIn that at least appear to be from real companies. I think I'll ignore the obvious scams but maybe follow up on the LinkedIn ones just to verify if they're legitimate before deciding whether to report them.
The ESD guidelines are frustratingly vague on what constitutes a "job offer" that must be reported. This is BY DESIGN so they can disqualify people later by claiming you should have reported something you didn't think was relevant. I've seen them penalize people for not reporting LinkedIn messages that the claimant thought were just networking attempts. The whole system is designed to trip people up and deny benefits whenever possible. My advice? Document EVERYTHING. Screenshot those scam texts and emails so if they ever question you, you can prove they were obvious scams. The burden of proof is ALWAYS on the claimant, NEVER on ESD.
While it's always good to document communications related to your claim, I think this view is overly pessimistic. ESD guidelines do specify that a job offer means an actual offer of employment from a legitimate employer, not random solicitations. The weekly claim questions are asking if you've refused any work during that week, which implies work that was actually offered to you specifically. They're not trying to disqualify people based on spam texts.
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my neighbor works for esd (not in claims but different dept) and she says they're super understaffed right now. apparently they had a bunch of people quit after they forced everyone back to the office. so thats probably why nobody can get through on the phones.
I gave up on calling and drove to my local WorkSource office in person. They couldn't fix my claim directly but they helped me fill out an escalation form that apparently goes to a special team. My issue got resolved in about 8 days after that. Might be worth trying if you're completely stuck!
That's a good idea - there's a WorkSource about 30 minutes from me. I'll try that if I can't get through by phone this week. Thanks for the suggestion!
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THE AGENCIES ARE ALL SCAMS!!!! They take 40-60% of what clients pay for your work and then try to keep you trapped with these BS "bench pay" schemes. I went through THREE AGENCIES before finding a direct-hire position. They'll fight your unemployment claim no matter what because their business model depends on desperate contractors. The whole system is rigged against workers!!
I definitely feel frustrated about how much they take from my contract rate! Though I've heard some agencies are better than others. Did you manage to get any unemployment benefits during your transitions between agencies?
I did get benefits but ONLY after they actually terminated me for "not being a team player" (aka refusing terrible contracts). Then there was no question about eligibility. But it took 6 WEEKS of adjudication because they initially tried to claim I was fired for misconduct. Have documentation for EVERYTHING.
Based on everything shared here, it seems like your best options are: 1. After your contract ends, accept the bench pay temporarily while applying for partial unemployment benefits AND searching for jobs independently 2. Document everything - the contract end date, communications about assignments, your job search efforts 3. If you do decide to quit later, focus on the substantial pay reduction as your "good cause" reason 4. Keep the relationship professional with the agency - don't mention unemployment to them if possible This approach gives you some income while job searching and potentially preserves the relationship if you need to go back later.
Thank you for summarizing! This approach makes a lot of sense. I'll start by accepting the bench pay after my contract ends, apply for partial unemployment, and continue my job search. If things aren't working out after a month or two, I can reevaluate whether to formally quit. Really appreciate everyone's insights!
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THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO KEEP US FROM GETTING OUR BENEFITS!!!! They WANT it to be impossible to reach them!!! I filed in January and my claim is STILL pending with no explanation. Tried calling 200+ times. This isn't incompetence - it's DELIBERATE!!!!!
While frustrating, the delays aren't deliberate. ESD is dealing with staffing shortages and increased claim complexity. They've implemented stronger verification due to the massive fraud during COVID. If you've been waiting since January, I'd recommend contacting your state representative's office immediately for assistance.
UPDATE: I finally got through! Combination of calling right at 8am and using the # key to bypass some menus. Was on hold for 67 minutes but eventually spoke with someone who was actually very helpful. Turns out they needed a clearer copy of my social security card (the one I uploaded was apparently too blurry). They're sending me a secure upload link and said my claim should move forward within 7-10 business days after I upload the clearer copy. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions! Will update again when/if my claim gets approved.
Great news! Glad you finally got some answers. This is exactly why speaking to a human is so important - the online system never would have told you the document was too blurry.
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dont forget to tell him to KEEP FILING WEEKLY CLAIMS even while this is being fixed!! so many people stop filing during issues and then lose weeks of benefits
That's super helpful - I don't think he realized he should keep filing. I'll make sure he knows to do his weekly claims even while this is being sorted out!
Just to follow up on this thread - your son-in-law should expect to receive a "Request for Information" notice in his eServices account once he initiates the wage investigation. Make sure he responds to this promptly with all the documentation everyone has mentioned. After the investigation is complete, he'll receive a "Redetermination of Benefit" notice that should show his corrected benefit amount. Good luck!
Thank you all for the help! He's submitted the wage investigation request with all his paystubs attached and is going to keep filing weekly claims while waiting for it to be processed. I'll update once we hear anything back from ESD about the correction.
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My cousin had identity verification and his took like 3 weeks so I think there must be something else going on with your husbands claim maybe? Did he work in multiple states or something that would make it more complicated?
Interesting - was that recently? He's only worked in Washington, but he did change jobs about 6 months before filing. Maybe that's causing some verification issues?
Oh yeah that was last year so maybe things are worse now idk. My cousin only had one job so maybe that's why his was faster
Just an update to my earlier comment - I checked with a friend who works at WorkSource, and she said the current average for ID verification is 8-10 weeks. However, if you're experiencing severe financial hardship (potential eviction, utilities being shut off, inability to afford medication), you can request an expedited review. You'll need to call and specifically use the phrase "financial hardship expedite request" and be prepared to provide details about your situation. Keep detailed records of every interaction (date, time, agent name if possible).
This is extremely helpful information, thank you! We're definitely approaching hardship territory as we're about to miss some bill payments. I'll try to get through on the phone and specifically request the expedited review.
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just curious is the brother in law ok?? that must be super stressful for him having his business go bankrupt and now having to deal with all that. family businesses are complicated!!
It's been really hard on him actually. He didn't own the company, he was a manager, but he's taking it really personally since he recommended my husband for the job. We're trying to tell him it's not his fault but he feels terrible about it.
One more important detail: If your husband already had an unemployment claim that he was collecting on before this brief job, he should continue that claim. However, if this job paid significantly more than his previous job that the original claim was based on, he might benefit from filing a new claim after working enough hours to qualify. For just one week of work though, continuing the existing claim is almost certainly the better option.
Oh that's good to know about the wage comparison. The construction job actually paid less than his previous position (he took it because it was available and we needed something), so continuing the existing claim definitely makes sense. Thanks again!
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i dunno why everyone is making this so complicated lol. its just a phone call with a judge who asks questions. i had one last year and just told my story and won. didn't have any special documents or anything. judge was actually super nice.
This is dangerously misleading. Appeal outcomes vary WIDELY depending on the specific circumstances and evidence presented. While your experience may have been easy, many people lose their appeals precisely because they don't properly prepare. The burden of proof is on the claimant when contesting a voluntary quit determination.
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the waiting week is such a SCAM!!! the government just keeps one whole week of ur benefits for no reason. i lost a whole $825 because of this stupid rule. they should pay us for EVERY week were unemployed!!!
The waiting week isn't a scam - it's a standard feature in most state unemployment insurance programs designed to encourage quick return to work and reduce costs. But I understand it feels unfair when you're counting on that money.
btw make sure u start doing ur job search activities ASAP. u need 3 job search activities EVERY week or they'll deny benefits. and keep good records of everything!!
Thanks for the reminder! I'll start applying for jobs right away. Do the job search requirements apply to the waiting week too?
Yes, you need to complete and document 3 job search activities even during your waiting week. The only exception would be if you're on approved standby status (which doesn't sound like your situation).
Yara Khoury
Wait I'm confused... are we talking about regular UI adjudication or the special adjudication for standby status? Cause those are completely different things and the timelines are not the same at all. I was on standby last year because my employer told ESD I was getting rehired within 8 weeks but then they never did, and that whole process was a nightmare to figure out.
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Dmitry Volkov
•The OP is talking about regular UI adjudication, not standby status. Standby is a specific status where you're temporarily laid off with an expected return date and don't have to do job searches. This sounds like a standard unemployment claim where the employer has contested something (likely the reason for separation) and the adjudicator needs to determine eligibility.
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Sofia Martinez
UPDATE: Just got my determination letter today! It took 6 business days after my employer and I both responded. I was approved! The adjudicator found that I was laid off due to lack of work despite my employer trying to claim I quit. All my backpay should be coming in the next few days. Thanks for everyone's advice and support during this stressful time!
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Ava Thompson
•congrats!!! thats actually pretty fast for ESD lol
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