Can ESD disqualify me for refusing lower-paying job offer than my previous position?

They cant make u take just any job!! My freind turned down 2 jobs that were way less $$$ than his old one and his UI benefits kept coming. Just say the job doesnt match ur skills or something

My sister went thru this exact thing last yr! Its a tricky situation cuz technically ESD can disqualify you for turning down "suitable" work but they have rules about what counts as suitable including the wage comparison.

According to ESD's guidelines, "suitable work" depends on several factors, including your previous wage. For the first 10 weeks of your claim, you generally cannot be required to accept work that pays less than 90% of your previous wage. After that, the percentage drops to 80% for weeks 11-20, and finally to 70% after 20 weeks. Since you're at 6 weeks and the offer is only about 70% of your previous wage, this would likely NOT be considered suitable work at this point in your claim. However, if you've been on unemployment for longer than 10 weeks, the rules change. Also important - if you do decline, document exactly why (wage comparison) and be specific about your previous wage and the offered wage. If the employer reports you, you'll need this documentation for the adjudication process.

I turned down a job because it was in a different industry and paid less. ESD put my claim in adjudication for 5 WEEKS while they investigated!!! It was a nightmare trying to survive with no income during that time. Even though they eventually ruled in my favor, the stress was terrible.

To add some important context to what others have said - there are multiple factors ESD considers when determining if work is "suitable": 1. The percentage of your previous wage (as explained above) 2. Your skills, experience, and training 3. The distance from your home 4. The working conditions and safety 5. The length of your unemployment If you decline the offer, be prepared to potentially deal with an adjudication process. Document everything, including: - Your previous job title, responsibilities, and wage - The details of the offered position (title, responsibilities, wage) - Your specific reasons for declining (focusing on objective factors like wage percentage, skill mismatch, etc.) If the employer reports you, ESD will contact you for your side of the story. Be truthful but also be prepared with your documentation. The initial adjudicator's decision can be appealed if needed.

One important consideration: If the recruiter is telling you they'll report you to ESD, be very careful about your communication with them. Don't explicitly reject the job - instead, ask for time to consider the offer while continuing your job search. You could also try negotiating the wage based on your experience level. If you do need to formally decline, frame it in terms of the job not being suitable work under ESD guidelines due to the significant wage differential. Reference the specific ESD rules about wage comparison during the first 10 weeks of unemployment. This approach gives you a stronger position if an adjudication does happen, as you've based your decision on the official ESD criteria rather than simply not wanting the job.

I went through EXACTLY this in January 2025. Was laid off from aerospace making $38/hr, got offered $25/hr position. I was terrified of losing benefits but also couldn't survive on that pay cut. I called ESD to ask directly (took THREE DAYS of calling to get through) and they confirmed I didn't have to take it since I was only 8 weeks into my claim and the pay was more than 10% below my previous wage. BUT!! They warned me that after 10 weeks, the threshold changes. So start applying aggressively now while you still have that protection!

Quick update on the current job search requirements while you decide: Remember that you still need to complete and document 3 job search activities each week while receiving benefits. This becomes especially important if your claim goes into adjudication - they'll review your job search logs carefully. Also, make sure you're using WorkSource resources. They can actually help you find positions more aligned with your experience and previous wage level.