What can disqualify you from unemployment benefits in Washington - need to know before I mess up

Thanks! What counts as 'misconduct' exactly? I was always on time and did my job but I did get written up once for using my phone on the floor.

Minor policy violations usually aren't misconduct unless it's a pattern. Misconduct is more like theft, violence, or repeatedly ignoring safety rules after warnings.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs or other stuff too?

Job applications, networking events, job fairs, informational interviews, updating your resume with a professional, even some training programs can count. Just make sure you document everything in your job search log.

This is where I messed up - I was doing the work search but wasn't keeping good records. When they audited me I couldn't prove half of what I did.

Is that legit? I'm always nervous about third-party services when it comes to government stuff.

Yeah it's legitimate - they don't ask for your personal info or anything, they just help you get connected to Washington ESD agents when the phone lines are busy. Way better than trying to call for hours.

How much can you earn before it affects your benefits? I might need to do some side work to make ends meet.

You can earn up to your weekly benefit amount minus $5 before it starts reducing your benefits. But you MUST report ALL income, even if it's just $10.

Exactly! And report it for the week you earned it, not the week you got paid. That trips people up too.

What if I have a doctor's appointment or something? Do I need to report that?

Short appointments are usually fine as long as you're still available for work the majority of the time. It's more about being unavailable for days at a time.

Good to know, though that's not an issue for me. Are there other automatic disqualifications like that?

Conviction of a felony connected to your work, or providing false information on your claim are other automatic disqualifications.

I was thinking about taking some classes while unemployed. Is part-time school okay?

Part-time is usually okay as long as it doesn't interfere with your ability to work. But check with Washington ESD first to be sure.

Yeah, the key is whether the classes prevent you from accepting suitable work. Evening or weekend classes are usually fine.

How do they determine what's suitable? I don't want to take just any minimum wage job if I was making way more before.

It's based on your skills, experience, and how long you've been unemployed. Early on, suitable work is closer to your previous job. Later, the definition expands.

I only worked in Washington so that shouldn't be a problem for me.

' Able means physically/mentally capable of 'working.' Available means you'don t have restrictions that would prevent you from accepting work, like childcare issues or transportationproblems.

See that's exactly the kind of thing that should be explained better! I had to appeal and everything.

Did they help you avoid the disqualification?

Yeah, turned out I was worried about nothing but the agent explained exactly what I needed to do to stay compliant. Peace of mind was worth it.

How do they catch lies? Do they investigate everyone?

They cross-reference with employer records, tax data, other state systems. Plus they do random audits. Not worth the risk.

What triggers adjudication? I want to avoid that if possible.

Usually it's triggered by separation issues (fired vs laid off), eligibility questions, or discrepancies in your application. Just be thorough and honest.

What's the deadline for weekly claims?

you have to file by the end of the week following the week you're claiming for. so if you're claiming benefits for week ending saturday, you need to file by the following saturday

How would I know if they're going to contest it?

You usually can't know for sure until it happens, but if your termination was messy or there were performance issues, they might contest it.

What documents do I need for ID verification?

Usually driver's license, social security card, and sometimes additional documents. The ID.me system can be finicky so have backup documents ready.

I was laid off so that shouldn't apply to me, but what counts as good cause?

Things like workplace harassment, unsafe conditions, significant changes to your job, or domestic violence situations. But you usually need to prove you tried to resolve the issue first.

Thanks everyone! This has been really helpful. I feel much more confident about filing my claim now.

Good luck! Just remember to stay honest, document everything, and don't be afraid to ask questions if you're unsure about anything.