Washington ESD unemployment eligibility - what reasons qualify you for benefits?

Thanks! What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? Is it pretty strict?

Good cause is actually broader than most people think - includes things like discrimination, workplace safety issues, employer not paying wages, or even needing to care for a sick family member in some cases.

How do you prove constructive dismissal though? Seems like it would be hard to document.

You need to document everything - emails, witness statements, HR complaints, etc. Also important to try addressing the issues with your employer first before quitting.

Really? How does that work with the job search requirements?

You still have to do job searches unless you're on standby with your current employer. The partial benefits help bridge the gap while you look for additional work.

I had no idea about partial benefits! That could have helped me last year when my restaurant cut everyone's shifts.

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

Yeah it's real - they basically handle the hold time for you and call you back when an agent picks up. Saved me hours of frustration.

Isn't that more for disability benefits though? I thought unemployment was just for able-bodied people looking for work.

There's overlap in some situations. If you're temporarily unable to work but expect to return, you might qualify for unemployment. If it's permanent, then yeah, disability is the better route.

Washington ESD will evaluate each medical situation individually. Key is whether you're able and available for work, which is a basic requirement for UI benefits.

Depends on the circumstances. If you were chronically late without good reason, that's likely misconduct. But if you had transportation issues, medical problems, or other legitimate reasons, you might still qualify.

I got fired for attendance and still got benefits because I had documented childcare issues. Washington ESD looks at the whole situation, not just the reason for firing.

Wait really? I do freelance work and never thought I could get unemployment.

If you're paying into the unemployment system through your taxes, you can potentially collect. Independent contractors usually don't qualify, but it depends on how you're classified.

The worker classification thing is tricky. Some people think they're contractors but are actually employees for unemployment purposes.

That's really important for people to know. What kind of documentation do they need?

Police reports, restraining orders, medical records, or statements from counselors/advocates. Washington ESD is pretty understanding about these situations.

Good point! Military life creates unique employment challenges that regular unemployment rules don't always address well.

This thread is super helpful - I had no idea there were so many different qualifying situations beyond just getting laid off.

Yeah I learned this the hard way. My employer tried to claim I quit when I was actually laid off. Had to go through the whole appeals process.

That's exactly when services like Claimyr come in handy - when you need to talk to an actual person at Washington ESD about these complex situations. Much better than trying to explain everything through their online portal.

How many job searches do you have to do per week? I keep hearing different numbers.

It's 3 job search activities per week currently. Can include applications, networking, job fairs, interviews, etc. You log them in your WorkSourceWA account.

The work search thing stressed me out so much when I first started collecting. Thought it had to be 3 formal applications but there are lots of qualifying activities.

That's good to know. I'm 58 and worried about finding new work if I lose my current job.

Document everything if you suspect age discrimination - comments about retirement, being 'overqualified', wanting 'fresh blood', etc. It's illegal but still happens.

How long do you have to wait if there's a strike?

It varies depending on the situation. If you're not directly involved in the labor dispute, you might qualify right away. If you are involved, there's usually a waiting period.

Yeah I'm a substitute teacher and the rules are confusing. Sometimes I can collect over summer, sometimes not.

School employee eligibility depends on whether you have reasonable assurance of returning to work. If your position is being eliminated, you'd likely qualify even during break periods.

Exactly what I needed to hear! Better to apply and get denied than miss out on benefits I might be entitled to.

Just make sure you're honest about everything when you apply. Lying on your application can get you in serious trouble with overpayment penalties and fraud charges.

And if you need help navigating the system or have questions about your specific situation, definitely consider using Claimyr to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD. Way better than guessing about complex eligibility rules.

Same here! Didn't realize how many different situations could qualify for benefits.

This thread should be pinned - covers pretty much every major qualifying reason for Washington ESD unemployment benefits.