Can I decline a lower-paying job offer and keep ESD benefits while waiting for better offer?

This is a common situation. According to ESD rules, you can decline a job offer without losing benefits if the position pays "substantially less" than your previous employment (generally considered 20% or more below your previous wage). Since you mentioned the first job might pay 15-20% less, that's in a gray area. If the job truly requires skills you don't possess or is substantially different from your usual occupation, that's another valid reason to decline while maintaining benefits. Document everything - exactly how the new job differs from your previous position and precisely what was discussed about compensation.

DONT TAKE THE FIRST JOB!! ESD is strict about this stuff, but in my experience they understand when you turn down a job that pays less. But you NEED to report everything clearly on your weekly claim when they ask if you refused work. Be honest about the pay difference. I turned down a job that was 18% less than my previous salary and still got my benefits, but they did call me to verify.

According to RCW 50.20.080 and WAC 192-150-142, suitable work must be reasonably equal to wages/benefits of your previous job in your usual occupation. The 20% threshold mentioned above is generally correct. However, the definition of "suitable work" changes the longer you're on unemployment. In your first 10 weeks, you have more flexibility to decline work outside your field or below your typical wages. After that, ESD expects you to be more flexible. If you decline the offer, you MUST report it on your weekly claim and be prepared to explain why you consider it unsuitable work. ESD will make a determination, possibly with a fact-finding interview.

When I was in a similar situation, I couldn't get through to ESD to ask about this. After 30+ calls and being hung up on repeatedly, I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent explained that I could decline the lower-paying job, but I needed to document EXACTLY why it wasn't suitable - the pay comparison, skill mismatch, etc. Having that conversation before declining the offer gave me confidence in my decision.

my cosin had this exact problem!!! he took the lower job and regretted it cause the better one offered him the position like 3 days later. but he was scared of loosing his unemployment so just took the first one. wish he'd seen this thread lol

One strategy to consider: If Company A makes an offer, you could ask for a few days to consider it, which gives Company B a chance to speed up their process. You could also be transparent with Company B that you have another offer but prefer their position, which might motivate them to expedite things. As for unemployment, remember that if you do decline and ESD later determines it was suitable work, you might have to pay back benefits received after the decline date. So document everything meticulously and be prepared to demonstrate why the position wasn't suitable.

Different perspective here - have you considered taking the first job while continuing to interview with the second company? You'd stop collecting unemployment, but if the second job comes through in a few weeks, you could give notice at the first job. Not ideal for Company A, but sometimes you have to look out for yourself first in this economy.

wait i'm confused - doesn't the "suitable work" thing only apply if ESD refers you to the job? if you found these jobs on your own through your job search, can't you just... not tell ESD about the offer you declined? or am i totally misunderstanding how this works?

Update: I talked to Company B and let them know I had another offer pending but was more interested in their position. They were really responsive and moved up my second interview to tomorrow! Fingers crossed this works out. If not, I'm leaning toward declining Company A if they can't meet at least 90% of my previous salary. Thanks everyone for the advice!