Can I refuse a job offer, skip claiming that week, then resume UI claims the following week?

Be careful with this approach. ESD can still find out about job refusals even if you skip filing for a week. Employers sometimes report job refusals to ESD, especially if they know you're on unemployment. When you resume filing the following week, you'll be certifying that you've reported all job offers/refusals during your claim period (not just for weeks you claim). Also, "suitable work" considers your previous wages and commute distance. A job paying significantly less than your previous position ($17 vs $29) with a long commute might be considered unsuitable, meaning you could legitimately refuse it without penalty if you document your reasoning properly.

i did this last yr n got caught. had 2 pay back 4 weeks of benefits + penalty. they found out cuz the employer told them. dont risk it!!!!!

You're missing a key detail here - the law requires you to accept SUITABLE employment. A job paying 41% less than your previous position is likely NOT considered suitable work under ESD guidelines. The 45-minute commute is also a factor they consider. Instead of trying to hide the refusal (which can backfire), I'd suggest documenting exactly why this job isn't suitable based on the pay discrepancy and commute. You can report the refusal, explain your reasoning, and continue claiming benefits. I went through this exact situation in 2024. I refused a job paying 35% less than my previous position, documented why, and continued receiving benefits while finding something appropriate to my experience and pay history.

this whole system is RIGGED against us!! they make these complicated rules to trap people. one time i didnt report a 4 hour gig thinking it was no big deal and they hit me with "fraud"!! now i report EVERYTHING. dont trust ESD they will find a way to get you

I work in HR and can offer some insight. When candidates decline job offers and we know they're on unemployment, we sometimes (not always) report this to ESD. It depends on company policy. Regarding your specific situation, here's the ESD guideline on suitable work: https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/suitable-work Pay attention to this part: "You can refuse work if the wages, hours, or other conditions are substantially less favorable than those prevailing for similar work in your area." With your situation - previous wage of $29/hour vs. offered $17/hour - you have a strong case for refusal based on the substantial pay difference. Document everything: the job offer details, the wage difference percentage (41% less), and the commute time. When refusing, be professional and simply state the position doesn't meet your wage requirements based on your experience and previous earnings.

Have you tried calling ESD directly to ask about this? I know their phone lines are ridiculous, but I've had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through quickly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 that shows how it works. I used it last month when I had a similar question about suitable work, and they connected me to an ESD agent in about 15 minutes instead of spending days trying to get through. The agent was able to give me specific guidance for my situation.

I'm going through something similar right now! From what I understand, the "skip a week" approach doesn't work because when you next file, you're certifying for your entire claim period, not just the week you're claiming. But honestly, I think you have legitimate grounds to refuse this job and still maintain benefits. A 41% pay cut is substantial! My experience: I refused a job last month that was 30% below my previous wage and I documented EVERYTHING. I wrote down the company name, contact person, job title, offered salary, and detailed explanation of why it wasn't suitable (including comparable salary data for my position in our area from Indeed and Glassdoor). When I reported it during my weekly claim, I got a questionnaire to fill out. I submitted all my documentation, and they ruled in my favor - no disruption to my benefits.

Wait I'm confused about something... if you're applying for jobs that pay close to your previous wage ($29/hr), why did you apply to this job that only pays $17/hr in the first place? ESD requires you to apply for suitable work, which would be jobs similar to your previous position. Not trying to be critical, just wondering if this might raise a red flag with ESD if they ask why you applied for a job that you then deemed unsuitable.

Just to summarize what everyone's been saying: 1. You can't hide a job refusal by simply not claiming that week 2. However, you don't need to hide this refusal because it appears to be legitimately unsuitable work based on: - 41% lower pay than your previous position - 45-minute commute 3. Document everything about the offer and why you're refusing 4. Report the refusal on your next weekly claim 5. Be prepared to complete a questionnaire about the refusal The key is transparency with ESD about why this work isn't suitable rather than trying to avoid reporting it, which could lead to overpayment issues later.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience since it's so relevant to your situation. I just went through almost the exact same thing last month - refused a job paying $15/hr when my previous position was $27/hr in accounting. Like others have mentioned, trying to hide the refusal is risky and unnecessary. I was honest about the refusal, documented the 44% pay difference, and ESD ruled it was unsuitable work. The whole process took about 2 weeks to resolve, and I continued receiving benefits without any issues. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - when you document the refusal, also include information about the job market in your field. I included screenshots from job boards showing typical salary ranges for medical billing specialists in our area to support my case that $17/hr was well below market rate. Good luck with your interviews next week! It sounds like you're being smart about looking for appropriate positions rather than just taking anything.

As someone who's been navigating ESD for a few months now, I want to echo what others have said about being transparent. I made the mistake early on of not reporting something minor thinking it wouldn't matter, and it caused weeks of headaches when they found out. Your situation with the $17/hr offer versus your $29/hr previous wage is actually a textbook example of unsuitable work. I'd recommend calling it exactly what it is - a 41% pay cut that doesn't align with your qualifications and experience as a medical billing specialist. One practical tip: when you document everything, include not just the wage difference but also factor in the commute costs. A 45-minute drive each way adds up in gas, wear on your car, and unpaid time. That effectively makes the hourly rate even lower when you calculate the true cost of that position. You're doing the right thing by continuing to interview for positions that match your experience level. ESD wants to see that you're actively seeking appropriate work, not just taking any job to get off benefits. Stay the course and be honest about why this particular offer doesn't meet the suitable work criteria.

I've been following this discussion and wanted to add something that might be helpful - I work as a medical billing specialist too, so I know the field well. The $17/hr offer you received is significantly below market rate for our profession, especially given your experience level that commanded $29/hr previously. Beyond the wage issue, medical billing requires specific skills and certifications that justify higher compensation. You're not just refusing any job - you're declining a position that undervalues your specialized expertise. This is exactly the kind of scenario the "suitable work" provisions are designed to protect. I'd suggest when you document your refusal, emphasize your professional qualifications (certifications, years of experience, specialized software knowledge) that justify the higher wage range. This isn't about being picky - it's about maintaining professional standards in your field. Also, with several interviews lined up for next week at appropriate pay levels, you're clearly demonstrating good faith efforts to find suitable employment. ESD looks favorably on this kind of targeted job search strategy rather than accepting anything just to get off benefits quickly.

I'm new to this community but have been dealing with ESD for about 6 months now. Reading through all these responses, I wanted to add one more perspective that might help. The fact that you have several interviews lined up for next week at appropriate pay levels is huge in your favor. ESD really values seeing that you're actively pursuing suitable work rather than just collecting benefits. When you document this refusal, make sure to mention these upcoming interviews - it shows you're being strategic about your job search, not just turning down work to avoid working. I had a similar situation where I refused a job that was a significant step backward in my career, and the ESD representative specifically asked about what other opportunities I was pursuing. Having concrete examples of appropriate positions you're interviewing for really strengthens your case. One last thing - keep records of all your job search activities (applications, interviews, networking). ESD can ask for this information at any time, and having detailed records shows you're taking your job search seriously while being selective about suitable positions. You're handling this the right way by asking questions and getting informed before making decisions. Good luck with your interviews next week!

Just wanted to jump in as another newcomer who's been lurking here for a while. This thread has been incredibly educational! I'm currently on unemployment myself and have been worried about this exact scenario. Reading through everyone's experiences and advice has really clarified how the "suitable work" guidelines actually protect us from having to take jobs that are way below our qualifications and previous earnings. @Harmony Love - it sounds like you have a rock-solid case for refusing this position. The 41% pay cut, long commute, and the fact that you have multiple interviews lined up for appropriate positions next week really demonstrates you're being responsible about your job search. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and linked to the ESD resources. This is exactly the kind of practical, real-world advice that makes this community so valuable for those of us navigating the unemployment system. I feel much more confident now about how to handle similar situations if they come up in my own job search. Good luck with your interviews next week, Harmony! It sounds like you're on the right track.

Hey everyone! I'm new to this community and just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been. I'm currently on unemployment and was terrified about potentially facing a similar situation with unsuitable job offers. Reading through all the real experiences shared here has been eye-opening. I had no idea that the "suitable work" guidelines actually protect us from having to accept jobs that are significantly below our qualifications and previous earnings. The advice about documenting everything, being transparent with ESD, and focusing on legitimate reasons for refusal is exactly what I needed to understand. @Harmony Love - your situation with the 41% pay cut and long commute is a perfect example of why these protections exist. It's clear from everyone's responses that you're handling this the right way by being strategic about your job search rather than just taking anything to get off benefits. I've bookmarked that ESD suitable work link and will definitely keep detailed records of my own job search activities. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating these complex situations!