Does Washington ESD actually check work search activities or just trust what we report?

Wow, that's good to know. What happened during your audit? Did they accept your documentation without issues?

Yes, they accepted everything since I kept good records. The whole process took about 2 weeks to resolve. They're pretty thorough though - they wanted screenshots of online applications and confirmation emails.

That's not accurate. Washington ESD conducts random audits regardless of reports. The work search requirement is taken seriously and they have dedicated staff for verification. Don't assume you won't be checked just because it hasn't happened yet.

ok well maybe im just lucky then. still seems like they dont have enough staff to check everyone

That's scary! How much did they have to pay back?

I think it was around $2,800 for about 7 weeks of benefits. Plus they had to start over with legitimate work search documentation going forward.

Never heard of this service. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit. I was skeptical too but got through to an Washington ESD agent in like 20 minutes instead of spending hours on hold. They answered all my questions about the work search log requirements.

Three years?! I had no idea we needed to keep records that long. I've been throwing mine away after a few months.

Yes, 3 years is the standard. Washington ESD can audit claims even after they're closed if there are questions about eligibility or work search compliance.

@Yara Haddad Old post, but wanted to share fora anyone stumbling across this, it is NOT three years, per the ESD website it s'Keep "these records for at least 30 days after the end of your benefit year or 30 days after you stop receiving benefits, whichever is later. https://esd.wa.gov/get-financial-help/unemployment-benefits/weekly-unemployment-claims/job-search-requirements"

I understand the frustration, but the work search requirement serves a purpose. Even if some applications don't lead anywhere, maintaining an active job search is part of the unemployment insurance system.

Easy to say when you're not the one applying to 12+ jobs every week just to check a box. But yeah, I get it - rules are rules.

Washington ESD expects you to make a good faith effort to find suitable work. Applying only to jobs you're clearly unqualified for could be considered failing to meet the work search requirement. They want to see legitimate attempts to find employment.

Thanks for clarifying. I wasn't trying to game the system, just wondering what counts as a valid job search activity.

I didn't know they checked WorkSourceWA activity! I use other job sites mostly. Is that going to be a problem?

Using other sites is fine, but you should also be actively using WorkSourceWA. It's the state's official job search portal and they expect you to utilize it as part of your work search activities.

What kind of suspicious patterns? Asking for a friend...

Things like claiming work search activities but never updating your resume on WorkSourceWA, or reporting the same job contacts repeatedly. The system is smarter than people think.

@GalaxyGazerBut how does it tag things when it doesn't require you to actually share any of the searches you're doing every week (just keep a log of them in case you are audited)? You aren't required to the use the job source site either, so I'm not clear on where they are allegedly tracking suspicious activity.

That's exactly what I do too! I also save screenshots of online applications and confirmation emails. Takes a few extra minutes but worth it for peace of mind.

Smart! I started doing screenshots too after reading about someone who got audited and the company had no record of their application.

Yes, networking activities can count as work search activities. You need to document who you spoke with, when, and what opportunities were discussed. Keep names and contact information when possible.

Great! I've been tracking these but wasn't sure if they counted. I'll make sure to be more detailed in my documentation.

Same problem here! I've been trying to reach them for weeks about my work search documentation. Someone mentioned Claimyr earlier - has anyone actually used it successfully?

I used Claimyr twice now and both times got connected to an agent within 30 minutes. Way better than the regular phone system. Worth checking out their demo video if you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD.

This is helpful! I've been pretty basic with my logging. Should I also include the job posting source (Indeed, company website, etc.)?

Yes, definitely include the source. The more detailed your records, the better prepared you'll be if selected for an audit. I also note the specific position title and any relevant qualifications.

Washington ESD may contact employers as part of their verification process, but it's not routine for every audit. They typically focus on documentation you can provide rather than third-party verification unless there are specific concerns.

That's reassuring. I've been honest about everything but didn't want to cause problems for the companies I've contacted.

How long did the audit process take from start to finish?

About 3 weeks total. They gave me 10 days to submit documentation, then took another week or so to review everything. My benefits continued during the review period.

Agreed. I've heard too many stories about people having to repay benefits because they couldn't document their work search activities. Better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.

Thanks everyone for all the insights! I'm definitely going to improve my record-keeping and make sure I'm documenting everything properly.

Great question! I've been wondering about the audit frequency too. From what I understand, most audits are random selections from active claims, but I've heard they might flag claims with unusual patterns or if there are employer reports. Your documentation sounds perfect - that level of detail should put you in good shape if you ever get selected. I'm curious if anyone knows the actual percentage of claims that get audited annually?

@AstroAdventurer What is an "unusual pattern" and what employer would be reporting someone?