ESD sent 'able and available' questions - will it block my payment?

This is actually a common issue with ESD. The "able and available" requirement means you need to be physically and mentally capable of working (able) and ready to accept work (available) during your normal work hours. Did you report being sick, out of town, or having limited hours for any reason on your weekly claims? They often send these notices when something in your weekly certification triggered a flag.

i got the SAME MESSAGE last month!! freaked me out too. ended up being because i said i couldnt work one day when my kid was sick. they made me fill out this questionnaire thing explaining why i wasnt "available" that day and then they approved it after like a week. just be honest but make it clear u were available all the other days

The "able and available" requirement is one of the core eligibility factors for unemployment benefits. You need to respond to their questionnaire promptly and thoroughly. Here's what you should do: 1. Log into your eServices account 2. Go to your messages/alerts section 3. Look for the questionnaire about the week(s) in question 4. Explain your situation in detail If it was just a doctor's appointment, that's usually fine as long as you were available the rest of the week. Just make sure to explain that it was a one-time appointment and that you remained available for work during all other customary work hours. Temporary, reasonable absences for medical appointments generally don't disqualify you.

When I got these questions it took FOREVER to get a response from ESD after I submitted my answers!! My payments were held up for almost 3 weeks while they "reviewed" my case. I called like 20 times and couldn't get through to anyone. So frustrating! Just warning you it might delay your payment even if you answer right away.

Yes, definitely mention that it was a routine appointment and that you could have rescheduled for work. That shows you were prioritizing employment, which is exactly what ESD wants to see. Also emphasize that you were actively job searching during that week and available for all other hours. Be careful how you word things though. For example, don't say "I couldn't work during my appointment" but rather "I had a brief appointment but remained available for work opportunities throughout the week." ESD is primarily concerned with patterns of unavailability, not one-off appointments.

I went through the EXACT same thing in February! The issue was that I had marked that I was "not able and available" for ONE DAY because I had to drive my mother to a hospital appointment. ESD held my payments for TWO WEEKS while they "investigated" whether I was truly available for work! I ended up having to upload a letter explaining the situation and that it was a one-time thing. Honestly the whole able and available requirement is ridiculous sometimes. Like we're not allowed to have ANY personal emergencies or appointments while on unemployment??

To answer your question about timing - it varies. Simple cases might be resolved in 3-5 business days, but it can take up to 2-3 weeks if they're backlogged. If your payment status is "pending," that means they're reviewing your answers. One thing that can help speed up the process is to upload any supporting documentation if you have it. For a doctor's appointment, you could upload an appointment confirmation if you have one. The more evidence you provide, the faster they can make a determination. If it goes longer than 10 business days, then you might want to try contacting them for a status update.

UPDATE: Good news! I just checked my account and my payment status changed from "pending" to "paid"! They must have reviewed my answers and found them acceptable. Thank you all so much for your help and advice. For anyone else who gets these "able and available" questions in the future - just be honest, explain your situation clearly, and emphasize that you were available for work during all other times. And don't panic like I did! 😅

That's such a relief to hear your payment went through! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now - got the "able and available" questionnaire yesterday after mentioning I had to take my car to the mechanic during work hours last week. Reading through everyone's experiences here has really helped calm my nerves. It sounds like as long as you're honest and show it was a one-time thing, ESD is pretty reasonable about it. Thanks for sharing your outcome - gives me hope mine will resolve just as quickly!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else who might be worried about this! I got hit with the "able and available" questions a few months back after I reported having a job interview that conflicted with my usual availability one afternoon (ironic, right?). I was terrified they'd think I wasn't serious about finding work, but it turned out ESD actually views job interviews as a GOOD thing - shows you're actively seeking employment. The key is really in how you frame your response. Don't just say what happened, but explain how it demonstrates your commitment to getting back to work. Like if you had a doctor's appointment, mention that maintaining your health makes you a better job candidate. If it was car trouble, explain that you need reliable transportation for employment. They want to see that even your "unavailable" time is ultimately about being work-ready. Also, keep copies of everything you submit - appointment confirmations, repair receipts, whatever. I didn't think to do this initially and had to scramble to find documentation later when they asked for more details.

Wow, reading through all these experiences really shows how common this issue is! I just got my first "able and available" questionnaire today after being on unemployment for 3 months. I had marked that I couldn't work one morning because I had to take my elderly father to a medical appointment (he can't drive anymore). Seeing NebulaNova's quick resolution and everyone's advice about being honest and emphasizing availability during other times is really reassuring. I was panicking thinking they might cut off my benefits entirely! It sounds like ESD is generally reasonable about one-off situations like medical appointments or car repairs as long as you explain it properly. One question though - should I mention in my response that I'm actively job searching and have had several interviews this month? Or should I just focus on explaining why I wasn't available that specific morning? Don't want to overcomplicate things but also want to show I'm serious about finding work.

I've been dealing with ESD for over a year now and want to share something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're caring for an elderly parent or family member, there are actually specific provisions in unemployment law that protect you. Washington State recognizes "compelling family circumstances" as valid reasons for temporary unavailability. When you fill out your questionnaire, definitely frame it as providing necessary care for a family member who depends on you, not just "I had to take my dad somewhere." ESD has guidance that caring for immediate family members during medical situations is considered reasonable cause. You might even want to mention if this is an ongoing need (like regular appointments) so they understand it's not just random unavailability. Also, absolutely include your job search activities! It shows you're balancing family responsibilities with serious employment seeking. That's exactly the kind of responsible behavior ESD wants to see from claimants. You've got this!

Just wanted to add my experience since I see a lot of people stressing about these questionnaires! I got one last year after reporting that I had jury duty for 3 days. I was absolutely terrified they'd disqualify me, but it turned out jury duty is actually one of the most clear-cut "excused" absences since it's a legal obligation. The key thing I learned is that ESD distinguishes between "voluntary" unavailability (like taking a vacation) and "involuntary" or "necessary" unavailability (medical appointments, family emergencies, civic duties, etc.). Medical appointments, car repairs, and caring for family members all fall into that second category. When I filled out my questionnaire, I made sure to: 1) Explain exactly what happened and why it was necessary, 2) Emphasize that I was available all other days that week, 3) Include that I continued job searching during that period. My payments were only delayed about 4 days while they reviewed it. The biggest mistake people make is not responding at all because they're scared - that WILL get your benefits suspended. Always respond honestly and promptly, even if you're worried about the outcome!