Washington ESD reasonable assurance - confused about my substitute teacher unemployment eligibility

So even if it's just a 'good chance' I'll be called back, that counts as reasonable assurance? That seems unfair since nothing is actually guaranteed.

The key is whether it's in writing and how definitive the language is. A casual conversation about 'maybe' coming back is different from a formal letter saying you'll be offered a position.

Exactly! It's like they want to have their cake and eat it too. Keep us hanging but also deny us benefits.

You should definitely appeal if they give you reasonable assurance but then don't actually offer you a position when school starts. Washington ESD has to reverse those denials.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already strapped for cash.

It's worth it when you consider how much time you save versus calling for hours. Plus if you get your benefits approved, it pays for itself immediately.

I've heard of Claimyr but wasn't sure if it was legit. Good to know it actually works for reasonable assurance cases.

How do you prove that though? Do I need documentation or is my word enough?

Documentation helps a lot. Save any emails or letters from the district. Also, if they do end up not calling you back or offering fewer hours than promised, that's strong evidence the assurance wasn't reasonable.

Good question. Washington ESD looks at your total employment situation. If the school job was your primary income and you have reasonable assurance there, it can affect your entire claim eligibility.

That's ridiculous. So even though I lost my tutoring income too, I still can't get benefits because of the school job?

It depends on how Washington ESD calculates the wages. If the tutoring was reported as separate employment, you might be able to get partial benefits. Definitely worth discussing with an ESD representative.

That's really good advice. I wish I had known this before I filed my claim.

yes!! i learned this the hard way. now i screenshot every text and email from the school

I never thought about that. Do you know if Christmas break counts as a separate period?

It can, but it depends on the length of the break and your specific employment contract. Washington ESD has specific guidelines for this.

I feel this so much. It's like punishment for working in education.

While I agree it's frustrating, the rule exists because they don't want to pay benefits to people who actually do have secure employment lined up. The problem is in how it's applied.

But that's the point - our employment ISN'T secure even with reasonable assurance. Budget cuts happen all the time.

That's encouraging. I might have to try it since I'm getting nowhere with the regular phone lines.

I was skeptical about services like this but honestly after spending 6 hours on hold last week, I'm willing to try anything.

Oh no, I mentioned I might do some summer tutoring. Do you think that will hurt my case?

just be careful how you word things. 'might' and 'considering' are different than having actual job offers

Where can I find Publication 259? I want to read the exact language.

It should be on the Washington ESD website under their publications section. Search for 'reasonable assurance' and it should come up.

That publication is really helpful for understanding the nuances. The 'same capacity' part trips up a lot of people who assume any education job counts.

Verbal reasonable assurance can still count, but it's harder for Washington ESD to verify and easier for you to challenge. Written documentation is much stronger evidence.

Good to know. I'll make sure to ask for anything in writing if they expect me back.

That's a great point. They offered me some custodial work over the summer but that's completely different from teaching.

Exactly! Make sure Washington ESD understands that when you talk to them about your case.

How do you get them to give specific explanations? Every time I call they just read from a script.

Ask to speak to a supervisor or specialist who handles education worker claims. The front-line agents often don't know the detailed rules.

This is where Claimyr really helped me - they connected me directly to someone who understood these complex cases instead of getting bounced around.

That's really good to know. I was thinking if they denied me initially, that was it.

Yes! I got approved on appeal after being initially denied. Took 6 weeks but I got all my back pay.

Thanks everyone for all this information. I feel much more prepared to deal with Washington ESD now.

This is really helpful advice! I'm actually in a similar situation as a substitute teacher and was wondering - when you say "emphasize that you have no written guarantee," should I specifically mention that in my initial claim or wait until I'm speaking with an agent? I'm worried about saying the wrong thing and hurting my case. Also, did you end up getting approved for benefits, or did you have to go through the appeal process?

I'd mention it right in your initial claim application when they ask about your employment situation. Be honest but strategic - something like "my supervisor mentioned I might be called back but provided no written commitment or guarantee of work for the next school year." Don't wait until later because it shows you were upfront from the beginning. As for my case, I actually did get approved initially after explaining my situation thoroughly, but I know others who had to appeal. The key is being very specific about the uncertainty of your position. Also, keep calling if you get denied - sometimes you get different agents who understand the rules better. The reasonable assurance has to be truly "reasonable" and a vague "good chance" comment really shouldn't qualify.