Can I refuse a job offer while on Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

How much lower can the pay be before it's considered unsuitable? My previous job was $22/hour and this offer is $18/hour.

Generally after the first few weeks of benefits, you can refuse jobs that pay less than 80% of your previous wage. At $18/hour vs $22/hour, that's about 82%, so it might be borderline. The long commute could help your case though.

Did you have trouble getting through to them on the phone? I've been trying to call for days but keep getting disconnected.

Oh yeah, calling Washington ESD is a nightmare. I actually used this service called Claimyr that helped me get through. They have some system that keeps calling until you get connected to an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they even have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

That sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

I'm not sure about the exact cost but it was worth it to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD instead of wasting hours trying to get through on my own.

I've been applying to everything I can find. This particular job came through a temp agency. Keep trying!

The job market is rough right now. I've been unemployed for 3 months and finally got an offer but it's part-time minimum wage. Considering taking it just to have something.

What counts as 'good cause'? The commute thing seems reasonable to me but I don't want to risk my benefits.

Good cause includes things like: wages substantially below your previous job, working conditions that are unsafe, hours that conflict with caring for dependents, or excessive travel time. A 45-minute commute might qualify depending on your situation.

Also if the job requires skills you don't have or if it's not in your usual occupation during the first few weeks of benefits. But after a certain point, you're expected to take jobs outside your field.

How long did it take for them to make a decision about your refusal?

It took about 2 weeks for them to review my case. During that time my benefits continued normally, but I know some people get their payments held up while under review.

I mean, unemployment isn't supposed to be permanent. At some point you have to take what's available.

Sure, but forcing someone to take a job that pays so little they still can't afford rent isn't helping anyone. It just subsidizes employers who want to pay below-market wages.

The system is supposed to give you time to find suitable work, not force you into the first offer that comes along. That's why the good cause provisions exist.

I didn't know I had to report offers I refuse. Where do you put that information on the weekly claim?

There's a section asking about work offers. Be honest about receiving it and briefly explain why you refused. Better to be upfront than have them find out later.

Relocation requirements can definitely be good cause, especially if it's a significant distance or you have family/personal obligations keeping you in your current area.

Thanks, that's reassuring. I was worried they'd expect me to uproot my whole life for a job.

Good advice. I'll definitely document everything if I decide to refuse this offer.

Also take screenshots of the job posting if it's online, so you have proof of the wage and job requirements they offered you.

My cousin got disqualified for refusing a job at a fast food place. But she had been on benefits for like 5 months and the job was in her skill level, so maybe that's different.

Yeah, I think it depends a lot on how long you've been collecting and what kind of job it is.

The longer you're on benefits, the more they expect you to expand your job search and consider jobs outside your previous field or at lower wages.

That's exactly what I'm worried about. This job offer just doesn't feel right but I'm scared to say no.

Trust your instincts. If you have legitimate reasons to refuse and can document them, you should be okay. Don't let fear push you into a bad situation.

Really? I'm getting desperate to actually talk to someone there. I'll look into it.

Yeah, the video demo on their site shows exactly how it works. Much better than hanging up and redialing a hundred times.

Temporary work can be tricky. You might have to take it if it's suitable, but you could potentially qualify for benefits again when it ends if you've earned enough.

The whole system is so confusing. I wish there was clearer guidance on all these situations.

That's not a bad outcome! I hadn't thought about trying to negotiate. Maybe I should try that approach.

Definitely worth a shot. Worst they can say is no, and then you're back to deciding whether to refuse or not.

Smart move! Negotiating shows you're serious about working but also advocating for fair terms.

Good point. I'll make sure to keep notes about any discussions I have with them.

Email is your friend for this stuff. Always follow up phone conversations with an email summarizing what was discussed.

That's a pretty tight timeline. You should be able to ask for a few days to consider, especially if you need time to evaluate whether it meets Washington ESD's suitability criteria.

I asked for until Wednesday and they agreed. Gives me time to think it through properly.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I feel much more informed about my options now.

Good luck with whatever you decide! The unemployment system is stressful enough without having to worry about every decision.