What are valid reasons to get unemployment benefits in Washington?

What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? My supervisor was making the workplace really hostile but I'm not sure if that's enough.

Hostile work environment can qualify as good cause, especially if you documented it and tried to resolve it through proper channels first. Washington ESD will review the circumstances during adjudication.

How does standby work exactly? Do you still have to do job searches?

With standby you typically don't need to job search since you have a return date, but you still file weekly claims and report any other work you do.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents without waiting on hold forever. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

That sounds too good to be true. How does it actually work?

It basically calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an actual person. I was skeptical too but it worked when I needed to check on my adjudication status.

That's interesting. I work in landscaping and we slow down every winter. Never thought about filing for unemployment during those months.

Good point. The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed quarters before you file. Washington ESD looks at your wages during that time to determine eligibility and benefit amount.

How do I know if I have enough wages? Is there a minimum amount?

You can check your wage history through your SecureAccess Washington account. The minimum varies but generally you need at least $3,000 in your base period with wages in multiple quarters.

It depends on the circumstances. If you were fired for willful misconduct, you might be disqualified. But if the attendance issues were due to circumstances beyond your control, you might still qualify. Washington ESD will investigate during adjudication.

The childcare issues were definitely beyond my control. My daycare kept closing unexpectedly. Should I appeal if they deny me?

Yes, you can appeal any denial. Make sure to document your childcare situation and show it wasn't willful misconduct. You have 30 days from the determination date to file an appeal.

Did you have to prove you were laid off? What documentation did Washington ESD want?

they contacted my employer directly. i just had to provide basic info about my last day and reason for separation on the application

Is that different from disability benefits? I'm confused about the difference.

Unemployment and disability are separate programs. You can sometimes qualify for unemployment if you quit due to a medical condition, but you still need to be able and available for other work.

Same with hospitality. Tourism jobs often have predictable slow periods where layoffs happen.

What counts as serious misconduct? I'm worried they might consider my situation worse than it was.

Things like theft, violence, intentional damage to property, or repeated violations of company policy after warnings. Minor performance issues usually don't count as misconduct.

I agree with this approach. The worst that happens is you get denied, but at least you know for sure. And if you disagree with their decision, you can always appeal.

That makes sense. I think I'll go ahead and file then. Thanks everyone for the help!

How many job searches do you need to do each week?

It varies but usually 3 job search activities per week. You log them in the WorkSource system and Washington ESD can audit them.

How much does Claimyr cost? Is it worth the expense?

For me it was worth it to get clear answers instead of guessing. The peace of mind knowing I was eligible before filing was valuable.

I didn't know that was a thing! My hours got cut in half but I'm still working part-time.

Yes, you can file for partial unemployment. You report your weekly earnings and Washington ESD calculates a partial benefit amount. Just make sure your reduced earnings qualify.

Totally agree! The whole process is intimidating when you're already stressed about losing your job.

The key is to focus on the basic requirements: lost job through no fault of your own, earned enough wages, and able to work. If you meet those, you're probably eligible.

I'm sorry you went through that. It's good that Washington ESD recognized it as valid grounds for quitting.

Thanks. The adjudication process was thorough but fair. They really investigated the situation before making their decision.

What if you had both contract work and regular employment? Does that change anything?

If you had W-2 wages that meet the requirements, you might qualify based on those wages. The 1099 income usually doesn't count toward eligibility.

Good point. Washington ESD will ask about other benefits during the application process and may reduce your unemployment benefits accordingly.

That's frustrating for teachers and support staff who count on summer income.

It depends on your contract and whether you have reasonable assurance of returning. The rules are pretty specific for educational employees.

I keep seeing mentions of this service. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legitimate. They have a demo video that shows exactly how it works. I was skeptical at first too but it saved me so much time and frustration.