Can you cancel unemployment claim after filing - Washington ESD process?

Thanks! Do you know if I need to fill out any specific forms or can I just call them?

Usually you can call their customer service line, but be prepared for long wait times. Some people have had luck with the online messaging system through their SecureAccess Washington portal too.

Same here! The phone system is terrible. I kept getting disconnected after waiting 45+ minutes.

Have you tried using Claimyr? It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents faster. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. I used it when I needed to resolve an issue with my claim status and actually got connected to someone within 20 minutes.

Never heard of that before. Is it legitimate? I'm always skeptical of third-party services for government stuff.

That's a good point. The job offer isn't guaranteed yet, they just said they're considering bringing people back. Maybe I should wait a bit longer before canceling.

Exactly. Washington ESD processes can take time anyway, so you have some breathing room to make the decision. Don't rush into withdrawing it.

That's not entirely accurate. Washington ESD does allow claim withdrawals in certain circumstances, especially if no payments have been made yet. But you're right that simply not filing weekly claims is another option.

Oh okay, I must have been thinking of a different situation. Thanks for the correction!

I'm worried it might affect my employment record or cause issues with my employer if they find out I filed for unemployment.

Employers can't see if you filed for unemployment unless they're specifically notified about a claim against their account. And even then, filing is your legal right.

How much does something like that cost though? I'm already unemployed so I don't have much extra money to spend.

It's worth checking out their site for current pricing. When you're dealing with potential employment issues, sometimes it's worth the investment to get things resolved quickly and properly.

Did you ever formally notify Washington ESD that you were returning to work?

No, I didn't think I needed to since I never received any payments. But in hindsight, it probably would have been better to call and let them know.

Good advice. I'll start keeping track of all the dates and conversations.

I looked but couldn't find anything specific about withdrawing claims. Maybe I missed it?

It might be under their general claim information or policy section. The website isn't always the easiest to navigate.

That makes sense. I think I'm leaning toward keeping it open for now and just not filing weekly claims until I know for sure about the job.

Withdrawing a claim shouldn't affect future eligibility as long as you meet the normal requirements when you file again. It's not considered fraud or anything negative.

That's reassuring. I was worried it might look bad somehow.

How quickly were you able to get connected? I'm getting nervous about how long this might take to resolve.

It was way faster than calling directly. I think I got through in about 15-20 minutes instead of the usual hours of waiting.

The thing is, I'm not really actively looking for other work since my old employer might take me back. Does that affect my eligibility?

If you're not actively seeking work, that could be an issue for continuing benefits. You might want to discuss this specific situation with Washington ESD directly.

Easier said than done when their phone lines are constantly busy and you get disconnected half the time.

You're right. I need to stop overthinking this and just contact them directly. Thanks everyone for all the advice!

Will do! Hopefully I can get through to someone this week and get this sorted out.

That's really solid advice about getting something in writing from the employer. I hadn't thought about documenting the potential job offer, but you're absolutely right - it would protect me either way this goes. Did you end up withdrawing your claim or just letting it go inactive?

Getting documentation from your employer is crucial! I learned this the hard way when I was in a similar spot. Even if it's just an email saying they're "considering" bringing you back, it shows good faith on your part. Also, since you haven't received any payments yet, withdrawing shouldn't trigger any repayment issues. Just make sure to keep records of all your communications with both your employer and Washington ESD for your own protection.

Great point about getting documentation from the employer! I definitely should ask for something in writing about their intentions to bring me back. Even just an email would be better than a verbal conversation. Thanks for sharing your experience - it helps to know others have been in similar situations. I'm definitely leaning toward being more cautious about this whole thing now.

This is exactly the kind of real-world experience I needed to hear! It's reassuring to know that Washington ESD representatives can actually walk you through the withdrawal process when you call. Your strategy of keeping the claim open but not filing weekly certifications sounds like the perfect middle ground - gives you that safety net while not actively collecting benefits. I'm definitely going to ask my employer for a written timeline now. Did you have any issues when you eventually did start filing weekly certifications again after your employer changed their mind?

This is super helpful! I'm in almost the exact same boat - filed about a week ago, no payments yet, and now my former employer is making noises about bringing me back. Your approach of keeping the claim open but not filing weekly certifications sounds like the smartest strategy. I'm definitely going to push for something in writing from my employer before making any moves. Out of curiosity, when you eventually reactivated your claim after your employer changed their mind, was there any complicated paperwork or did you just resume filing weekly certifications normally?

Wow, this is incredibly helpful! I'm actually the original poster and your experience sounds almost identical to mine. It's really reassuring to hear from someone who went through this exact situation. I think you're absolutely right about keeping the claim open but not filing weekly certifications - that seems like the safest approach while I figure out what's happening with my employer. I'm definitely going to ask for something in writing about their timeline and intentions. It sounds like even if they change their mind later, I'll be protected by having the claim already established. Thanks for sharing your story - it's exactly what I needed to hear!

That's really smart advice about calling right when they open! I never thought about timing making such a difference with wait times. And getting email confirmation is brilliant - I can see how that documentation would be crucial if there's any confusion later. Your point about keeping the claim open but inactive until I have something concrete from my employer really resonates with me. Right now all I have is a phone call saying they're "considering" options, which isn't exactly a firm job offer. I think I'll follow your approach and wait for something more solid before making any big moves with the claim. Thanks for the practical tips!