Can I collect unemployment if I am offered a lower paying job in Washington?

That's really helpful, thank you! Do you know if there's a specific percentage or dollar amount that defines 'substantially less'?

There's no exact percentage in the law, but generally anything more than 20-25% below your previous wage could be considered unsuitable, especially in your first 13 weeks of benefits.

Good point - I'll screenshot the email and maybe write a brief summary of why I'm declining.

Yes! Always document everything with Washington ESD. I learned that the hard way when I had to appeal a disqualification last year.

Oh no, that's exactly what I'm worried about. Did you eventually get an answer about whether you had to take the lower-paying job?

Yes, they confirmed I didn't have to take it since it was more than 25% less than my previous wage. But honestly, the phone situation with Washington ESD is terrible.

I actually found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to Washington ESD when I couldn't reach them myself. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. Really saved me a lot of frustration.

Not exactly - you do have to actively search for work and be available for suitable employment. But 'suitable' has specific criteria including wage, hours, working conditions, and your skills/experience.

ok that makes more sense. i was getting worried cause someone offered me part time minimum wage work and i wasnt sure if i had to take it

Part-time minimum wage would definitely not be considered suitable work if you were previously full-time at a much higher wage, especially early in your unemployment claim.

How long before they expect you to take lower-paying work? Is there a specific timeline?

It varies, but generally after 13 weeks of benefits, Washington ESD starts expecting more flexibility. After 26 weeks, almost any work in your field might be considered suitable.

This is why it's so important to use your unemployment time effectively for job searching and maybe even skills training if available.

Transportation costs and commute time are actually factors Washington ESD considers for suitable work. If the additional commute costs significantly impact your net income, that could be grounds for declining.

Really? I had no idea they considered commute costs. That changes things for me.

Definitely worth calling Washington ESD to discuss your specific situation. If you can't get through their regular phone lines, Claimyr really does help - I used them twice last year when I needed to talk to someone about my claim.

I understand the frustration, but the suitable work rules actually do protect unemployed workers from having to take exploitative low-wage jobs, at least initially.

Maybe, but try explaining that to your landlord when your benefits get cut off because some bureaucrat decides a job was 'suitable' when it really wasn't.

This is exactly why I'm so nervous about declining this offer. I don't want to lose my benefits over a misunderstanding.

That's a good point - I was supervising 8 people and handling scheduling, inventory management, and safety compliance. This new offer is just basic warehouse work.

Exactly! Washington ESD considers your skill level and previous responsibilities. Taking a significant step backward in responsibility, especially combined with the pay cut, would likely not be considered suitable work.

Did you report the job offer when you filed your weekly claim? I'm not sure if I need to mention it.

yeah i mentioned it in the work search section and explained why i declined. no issues so far

Yes, you should definitely report job offers and refusals on your weekly claims. Being transparent with Washington ESD is always the best approach.

That's actually not a bad idea. Even if they say no, it shows I was willing to work with them.

Exactly! Plus you never know - they might have some flexibility in the wage, especially if they really want someone with your experience.

Yes, I'm still applying to other supervisor positions and logging all my job search activities. This offer just came out of nowhere.

Good! Keeping up with your job search log is crucial. Washington ESD can audit those at any time.

Temporary work follows the same suitable work guidelines. If it's significantly below your previous wage and skill level, it would likely not be considered suitable, especially if it's short-term.

Thanks! The temp agency was pretty pushy about it so I wanted to make sure I wasn't required to take it.

The ambiguity is frustrating, but it's because they need flexibility to evaluate each situation individually. Factors like local job market, your experience, length of unemployment all play a role.

This is another reason why being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD is so valuable. They can give you guidance specific to your situation instead of trying to guess from general rules.

I hadn't thought about training programs. Are those free if you're on unemployment?

Many are! And if you're enrolled in approved training, it can actually extend your benefit eligibility in some cases. Definitely worth looking into through your local WorkSource office.

Training programs are great if you can get into one. Just make sure it's approved by Washington ESD before enrolling or it might affect your benefits.

Thank you everyone! This has been really helpful. I feel much more confident about declining this offer and continuing my search for something more appropriate.

Good luck with your job search! Hope you find something that matches your skills and experience soon.

Keep us posted on how it goes! These kinds of real examples help other people in similar situations.

This is exactly what I needed to hear! The responsibility level difference is huge - going from managing people and processes back to just basic warehouse tasks feels like it would be a real career setback. I'm definitely going to keep looking for supervisor positions that actually use my management experience. Thanks for pointing out that specialized skills matter in these decisions!

Exactly right about the specialized skills aspect! I went through something similar when I was laid off from my logistics coordinator position. Washington ESD recognized that my experience in supply chain management and vendor relations wasn't something I should have to abandon for just any warehouse job. The key is being able to articulate how your supervisory experience - the team management, safety compliance, inventory oversight - represents legitimate career advancement that you shouldn't be expected to give up after just 6 weeks of unemployment. Document not just the wage difference but also the scope of responsibilities in your previous role versus what's being offered. That complete picture really strengthens your case for declining unsuitable work.

I'm so sorry you and your husband are going through this - 29 years in software development and facing such a drastic pay cut must be incredibly stressful. At 13 weeks, Washington ESD does start expecting more flexibility with "suitable work" definitions, but a 60% pay cut is still quite extreme. Have you looked into whether your husband might qualify for any retraining programs through WorkSource WA? Given his extensive tech background, there might be opportunities to upskill in emerging areas like cloud computing or cybersecurity that could lead to better-paying positions. Also, if he does end up having to take the lower-paying job temporarily, he can still continue job searching and receiving partial unemployment benefits if the new job pays less than his weekly benefit amount plus the earnings disregard. The situation is really tough, but don't give up hope - the tech market can change quickly.

I really feel for your situation - tech layoffs have been brutal this year and 29 years of experience should count for so much more. At nearly 13 weeks, you're right to be concerned about the changing suitable work requirements, but honestly a 60% pay cut seems extreme even by Washington ESD standards. Before making any drastic decisions, have you tried reaching out to tech-specific recruiters or looking into contract/consulting work? Sometimes shorter-term contracts in software development can bridge the gap while searching for permanent roles. Also, if your husband does take the lower-paying position, he might still be eligible for partial unemployment benefits if it pays less than his weekly benefit amount. The system allows you to work part-time and still collect some benefits. I know it's scary thinking about homelessness, but there might be more options than you realize right now.