Washington ESD unemployment while changing jobs - timing questions
I'm in a weird situation with my unemployment claim timing. I had a job lined up to start in 3 weeks but the company just pushed back my start date by another month due to budget delays. I've been collecting Washington ESD benefits for 2 months now and I'm not sure how to handle this with my weekly claims. Do I need to report that I have a job offer even though the start date keeps getting delayed? I'm worried about messing up my eligibility since I'm technically in the process of changing jobs but don't have a firm start date anymore.
55 comments


Anastasia Kuznetsov
You should definitely report any job offers on your weekly claims, even if the start date is uncertain. Washington ESD wants to know about your employment prospects. As long as you're still able and available for work and actively seeking employment, delayed start dates shouldn't affect your current eligibility.
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Diego Fernández
•Thanks for the quick response. Should I mention the delay in the weekly claim notes section?
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
•Yes, I'd include a brief note about the delayed start date in the additional information section of your weekly claim. That way there's a record of the situation.
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Sean Fitzgerald
this happened to my sister last year and she didn't report the job offer because it kept getting delayed. ended up causing problems when she finally started working because Washington ESD saw the gap in reporting. better to be transparent about everything
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Diego Fernández
•Oh no, what kind of problems did she run into? I definitely don't want to deal with overpayment issues later.
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Sean Fitzgerald
•they questioned her about unreported job offers during her last few weeks of claims. took a while to sort out but eventually got resolved. just be upfront about everything
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Zara Khan
I was in a similar situation and had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to clarify the reporting requirements. Ended up using Claimyr to connect with an agent who walked me through exactly how to handle job offers with uncertain start dates. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how their service works. Much easier than spending hours on hold.
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Diego Fernández
•I've never heard of Claimyr before. Is it legit? I'm hesitant to use third-party services for unemployment stuff.
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Zara Khan
•Yeah it's legitimate, just helps you get through to actual Washington ESD agents faster. Check out claimyr.com for more info. I was skeptical too but it saved me so much time and stress.
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MoonlightSonata
•How much does something like that cost? Seems like it might be worth it if it actually works.
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Mateo Gonzalez
The key thing is maintaining your able and available status while you're waiting for the job to start. Keep doing your required job search activities and documenting everything. Even though you have a job lined up, Washington ESD still expects you to be actively seeking work until you actually start.
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Diego Fernández
•That's a good point about continuing job search activities. I wasn't sure if I still needed to apply for other jobs when I have something lined up.
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Mateo Gonzalez
•Definitely keep applying and logging your job search activities. The requirement doesn't change just because you have a future start date. Plus it's good to have backup options in case this job falls through again.
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Nia Williams
ugh the job market is so frustrating right now with all these delays and uncertainty. companies keep pushing back start dates and then acting like it's no big deal. at least unemployment benefits provide some stability during these transitions
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Diego Fernández
•Exactly! It's so stressful not knowing when you'll actually start working again. The uncertainty makes it hard to plan anything.
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Luca Ricci
•Tell me about it. I've had two different companies reschedule my start dates this year. Thank goodness for unemployment benefits keeping me afloat.
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
One more thing to consider - if your new job start date gets pushed back significantly, you might want to increase your job search efforts. Having one opportunity with an uncertain timeline isn't ideal, especially if you're depending on unemployment benefits in the meantime.
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Diego Fernández
•You're right, I should probably start applying to other places too. This delay has me worried the job might fall through completely.
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
•Exactly. Better safe than sorry. Keep that job search log updated with additional applications while you wait for clarity on the original position.
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Aisha Mohammed
Just make sure you understand Washington ESD's work search requirements during this transition period. You still need to make your required number of job contacts each week even with a pending job offer. The requirements don't pause just because you're expecting to start work soon.
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Diego Fernández
•Good reminder. I think it's 3 job contacts per week for my claim. I'll make sure to keep that up while I wait.
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Aisha Mohammed
•Right, and document everything properly in your job search log. Washington ESD can audit those records at any time.
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Ethan Campbell
been there with the job offer limbo situation. it's such a weird grey area but Washington ESD generally wants you to report everything. better to over-communicate than under-communicate with them
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Diego Fernández
•That seems to be the consensus. I'll definitely include notes about the situation in my weekly claims.
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Ethan Campbell
•yeah just be detailed in your explanations. they appreciate transparency even when situations are complicated
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Zara Khan
For what it's worth, when I used Claimyr to speak with a Washington ESD agent about a similar situation, they confirmed that reporting job offers with uncertain timelines is the right approach. The agent emphasized that it's better to disclose and explain rather than risk issues later during an audit.
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Yuki Watanabe
•I might have to look into that Claimyr thing. I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about my own job transition questions.
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Zara Khan
•It's definitely worth checking out if you're having trouble getting through. Much better than endless busy signals and hold music.
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Carmen Sanchez
The worst part about these job delays is not knowing whether to make other commitments or plans. Like do I sign a lease extension or start a freelance project? The uncertainty during job transitions is brutal.
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Diego Fernández
•Exactly my situation! I've been putting off so many decisions because I don't know when I'll actually start this job.
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Carmen Sanchez
•it's like being in employment purgatory. hang in there, these situations usually work out eventually
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Andre Dupont
Make sure you're not turning down other work opportunities while waiting for this delayed start date. Washington ESD requires you to accept suitable work if offered, even if you have something else potentially lined up.
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Diego Fernández
•That's a really important point. I hadn't thought about what I'd do if another job offer came up before this one starts.
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Andre Dupont
•Yeah, you can't refuse suitable work just because you're waiting for a different job to start. That could affect your eligibility.
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Zoe Papadakis
honestly Washington ESD should have clearer guidance for people in job transition situations like this. it's such a common scenario but the rules seem vague about exactly how to handle it
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Diego Fernández
•I agree, it would be helpful to have more specific guidance for these in-between situations.
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Mateo Gonzalez
•The general rule is just to be honest and thorough in your reporting. When in doubt, include more information rather than less.
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ThunderBolt7
Keep copies of all communication with the employer about the delayed start date. If Washington ESD ever questions your claims during this period, you'll want documentation showing the situation was out of your control.
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Diego Fernández
•Great advice. I'll make sure to save all the emails about the start date changes.
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ThunderBolt7
•Exactly. Paper trails are your friend when dealing with any government agency, including Washington ESD.
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Jamal Edwards
at least you have a job lined up eventually! some of us are still searching with no prospects. but yeah definitely report everything to stay compliant
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Diego Fernández
•You're right, I should be grateful to have something in the pipeline even if the timing is uncertain. Hope your job search goes well!
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Jamal Edwards
•thanks, keeping my fingers crossed something comes through soon
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Zara Khan
One last thing about Claimyr - they're particularly helpful for situations like yours where you need to clarify reporting requirements. Their service connects you directly with Washington ESD agents who can give you official guidance specific to your situation rather than relying on forum advice.
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Mei Chen
•I've been considering trying Claimyr too. Tired of getting different answers from different sources about unemployment rules.
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Zara Khan
•That's exactly why I started using it. Getting official answers directly from Washington ESD agents eliminates the guesswork.
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Liam O'Sullivan
Just wanted to add that your situation is pretty normal right now. Lots of companies are being more cautious with hiring timelines. Don't stress too much about the Washington ESD reporting as long as you're being honest about your circumstances.
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Diego Fernández
•Thanks for the reassurance. It helps to know this is happening to other people too.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•definitely not alone in this. the job market has been weird with all these delayed starts and reschedules
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Amara Okonkwo
Remember that Washington ESD's main concern is preventing fraud, not punishing people for complicated employment situations. As long as you're transparent and continue meeting your obligations, you should be fine.
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Diego Fernández
•That's a good way to think about it. I'll focus on staying compliant and communicating clearly.
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Amara Okonkwo
•Exactly. Transparency and compliance are key. Most issues arise when people try to hide information or cut corners.
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Giovanni Marino
hope everything works out with your job situation. these transition periods are stressful but you're handling it the right way by asking questions and staying informed
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Diego Fernández
•Thank you! I feel much better about how to handle this after getting everyone's input here.
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
•That's what these forums are for. Good luck with the new job when it finally starts!
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