How to get denied unemployment - Washington ESD reasons that disqualify claims

What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? My cousin said they quit because of harassment but still got denied.

Good cause includes things like unsafe working conditions, harassment that the employer won't address, significant changes to job duties or pay, or domestic violence situations. Your cousin might need to appeal if they have documentation of the harassment and complained to management first.

How many job searches do you have to do each week? I thought it was 3 but someone told me it might be more now.

It's typically 3 job search activities per week, but it can vary based on your situation. Check your WorkSourceWA account to see your specific requirements.

Is that service legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my claim status.

Yeah it worked for me. I was getting hung up on constantly trying to reach them the normal way. This actually got me through to someone who could explain my disqualification.

Income reporting errors are actually pretty common. Did you appeal the decision? Sometimes it's just a misunderstanding about when to report earnings versus when you actually worked.

yeah im appealing but its been 2 months already. this whole system sucks

What about if you're going to school part-time? Does that automatically disqualify you?

Part-time school is usually okay as long as you're still available for full-time work and meeting your job search requirements. Full-time school typically requires special approval through the Training Benefits program.

Short-term illness usually doesn't disqualify you if you're actively looking for work and would accept a job if offered. Family care situations are more complex - it depends on whether you can still work if a suitable job was offered.

That makes sense. I guess the key is being honest about your availability but also showing you're genuinely seeking work.

You can usually still collect benefits with side work, but you have to report all earnings and it will reduce your weekly benefit amount. The key is reporting everything honestly on your weekly claims.

Good to know. I was worried it would disqualify me completely.

Being fired during probation doesn't automatically disqualify you. Washington ESD still looks at the reason for termination. If it was performance-related rather than misconduct, you'd likely still qualify for benefits.

That's a relief. I was worried I'd be stuck if my new job doesn't work out.

how long did that take? my claim has been in adjudication for like 6 weeks

Mine took about 4 weeks total. The adjudication process can be really slow, especially if they're waiting for employer response.

How much does it cost though? I'm already broke waiting for benefits.

It's worth checking out their site for pricing. For me, getting through to resolve my issue quickly was worth it versus being stuck for months.

What's the base period exactly? Is it the last year you worked?

It's usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be January 2024 through September 2024.

That doesn't sound right. People with valid work authorization should be eligible for unemployment benefits. Your friend should definitely appeal that decision and provide documentation of their work authorization.

ill tell them to appeal. seems like washington esd makes a lot of mistakes

Really? I work construction and there's always a slow period in winter. Are you saying I might not qualify during those months?

It depends on your specific work pattern. If you have a clear seasonal pattern and reasonable assurance of returning to work, they might deny benefits. But if you're genuinely seeking other work, you should still qualify.

Medical-related attendance issues usually aren't considered misconduct if you can document the medical condition and that you attempted to work with your employer on accommodations. You'd likely need medical documentation though.

I have all my doctor visits documented, so that should help if I need to appeal.

Yes, providing false information is grounds for disqualification and can result in overpayment demands plus penalties. Your 'friend' should consider coming clean and correcting any misinformation before Washington ESD discovers it.

Yikes. I'll... I mean my friend will definitely want to fix that ASAP.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr. I was in the same boat, calling dozens of times and never getting through. Their service connected me within a day and I got my issue resolved. Check out claimyr.com if you're tired of the runaround.

At this point I'm willing to try anything. The regular system is completely useless.

Generally no, but suitable work requirements do consider your previous wages and job skills. If you're consistently turning down jobs that pay significantly more than the entry-level ones you're applying for, that could be an issue.

That makes sense. I'm not turning down better jobs, I'm just not finding any in my field right now.

Thanks everyone. This gives me a much better idea of what to watch out for when I file my claim.

Good luck with your claim. Remember that even if you get initially denied, appeals are common and often successful if you have valid grounds.

What makes a job 'unsuitable'? Just curious in case this comes up for me.

Things like unsafe working conditions, significantly lower pay than your previous job (varies by how long you've been unemployed), or requiring skills you don't have and can't reasonably learn.