What can get you denied for unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

What kind of documentation would I need for the hostile work environment? I have some emails but not much else.

Emails are good! Also keep any HR complaints you filed, witness statements from coworkers, medical records if it affected your health, or any documentation showing you tried to resolve the situation before quitting.

How much do you need to have earned? I only worked part time for about 8 months last year.

You need wages in at least two quarters of your base period and total wages of at least 680 times your weekly benefit amount. Part time work might still qualify depending on your earnings.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Really? How does that work exactly? I'm desperate at this point.

They basically handle the calling for you and connect you when an agent picks up. Super easy to use and way better than sitting on hold for hours only to get hung up on.

What makes a job 'suitable'? Can I refuse a job that pays way less than what I was making before?

Generally you can refuse work that pays less than your weekly benefit amount for the first few weeks, but after that the standards lower. It also depends on if it's in your field and within reasonable commuting distance.

Wait, is it 3 jobs per week? I thought it was 2?

It's 3 for most people but can vary based on your situation. Check your WorkSourceWA account to see what your specific requirements are.

And make sure you're using the right job search log format! They're picky about documentation.

What about if you're going to school? I heard that can affect your eligibility.

Yeah, being a full-time student can make you ineligible unless you meet certain exceptions. You have to be able and available for work, which conflicts with full-time studies usually.

How long do you have to register? I just filed my claim yesterday.

You should register ASAP, definitely within the first week. Don't wait or you could face delays or denial.

Does that include lockouts by the employer?

Lockouts are different - you might still be eligible if the employer locks you out. It's more about voluntary participation in strikes or work stoppages.

What about medical marijuana users? Is that still considered misconduct?

That's a gray area and depends on your specific situation and employer policies. You'd probably need to appeal and provide medical documentation.

What if you're caring for a sick family member? Does that count as being unavailable?

That could make you unavailable for work, yeah. There might be some exceptions under FMLA situations but generally you need to be available for work.

Can you appeal an overpayment decision?

Yes, you can appeal within 30 days of getting the overpayment notice. But it's really hard to get through to Washington ESD to discuss it.

That's exactly why I used Claimyr when I had issues with my claim. Being able to actually talk to an agent makes all the difference in getting these things resolved.

Even small amounts? Like if I make $50 from selling something online?

You're supposed to report ANY income during the weeks you claim. Even small amounts can affect your benefits.

Agreed! The website has information but it's scattered and hard to understand.

That's why services like Claimyr are helpful - having someone who understands the system help you navigate it makes such a difference.

What about other types of discharge?

Honorable and general discharges are usually fine. It's mainly dishonorable discharge that causes problems with unemployment eligibility.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information. I feel much more prepared now to file my claim and avoid potential pitfalls.

Good luck! And remember, even if you get initially denied, you can always appeal. Don't give up if you think you have a valid claim.