Can I get Washington ESD unemployment if I refuse a drug test?

Yes, you need to report any job offers or interviews on your weekly claim. Refusing a drug test is generally considered refusing suitable work, which can disqualify you from benefits. Washington ESD takes this seriously.

this happened to my brother last year. he refused a drug test and washington esd found out somehow. they made him pay back like 8 weeks of benefits and he had to do a hearing and everything. total nightmare

Washington ESD considers refusing a drug test the same as refusing work. You're required to be able and available for work, which includes passing standard employment requirements like drug screenings. This could trigger an adjudication on your claim.

I had trouble reaching Washington ESD when I needed to explain a similar situation. Spent weeks trying to get through on the phone. Finally used this service called Claimyr that helps you get connected to actual ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that explains how it works. Might be worth it if you need to discuss your situation with someone at ESD.

THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!! They expect you to take any job even if it violates your privacy or personal beliefs. What if you have religious objections to drug testing? What if you're on legal prescription medications? They don't care about individual circumstances!

You should report this on your next weekly claim under the work search section. Be honest about what happened. It's better to be upfront than to try to hide it and risk fraud charges later. You might still be able to appeal if they disqualify you.

wait r u supposed to report interviews too? i thought u only had to report if u actually got hired

Update: I called the Washington ESD customer service line and after being on hold for 2 hours, I got disconnected. This is so frustrating. I just want to know what I should do.

For what it's worth, I've seen cases where people successfully appealed disqualifications for refusing drug tests, but it usually requires having a legitimate medical reason or proving the test was unreasonable. Just refusing because you know you'd fail isn't considered good cause.

honestly the whole system is messed up. they want you to take any job but then make it impossible to actually get help when you need it. my brother ended up having to get a lawyer just to fight the overpayment demand

Important reminder: You have to continue filing your weekly claims even if you think you might be disqualified. If you stop filing, you could lose benefits permanently. Keep filing and wait for Washington ESD to make a determination.

Just be honest on your weekly claim. I had a similar situation where I turned down a job because of the shift requirements and they didn't disqualify me because I explained my reasoning properly.

This is why I don't even bother with job interviews anymore. The whole system is designed to trap you. They offer you terrible jobs with invasive requirements then punish you for saying no.

Update on the Claimyr service - I used it again this week to get through to Washington ESD about a different issue and it worked perfectly. Saved me hours of trying to call. Definitely recommend it for anyone having trouble reaching ESD.

Final advice: Document everything about this situation. Keep records of the interview, the job offer, and your decision. If Washington ESD does start an adjudication, you'll need all the details to present your case properly.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm going to report it on my next weekly claim and try to get through to Washington ESD to discuss my options. Hopefully they don't cut me off completely.

This thread is helpful. I didn't know you had to report job offers that you turn down. I've been doing my weekly claims wrong apparently.

The drug testing thing is tricky. Some employers use it as a way to weed out candidates without having to pay for training. But from ESD's perspective, it's a standard job requirement you should be able to meet.

this whole thread is making me nervous about my own claim. i had no idea there were so many ways to mess up your benefits

One more thing about Claimyr - if you do use their service to reach Washington ESD, make sure you have all your questions ready beforehand. The ESD agents are usually helpful once you actually get through to them, but the call can be limited in time.

I work in HR and see this situation fairly often. While refusing a drug test is generally considered refusing suitable work, there are some nuances that might help your case. If you have a medical marijuana card or are on prescription medications that would cause a positive result, you might have grounds for appeal. Also, some employers are willing to work with candidates who are honest about needing time to get clean - it's worth asking about delayed start dates in the future. The key is being truthful with ESD about what happened and why. They do investigate these cases individually, so don't assume you're automatically disqualified.