What disqualifies you for unemployment in Washington ESD claims?

There are several common disqualification reasons in Washington. The big ones are: getting fired for misconduct, quitting without good cause, not being able and available for work, refusing suitable work offers, and not meeting the job search requirements. Each one has specific criteria that Washington ESD uses to evaluate your case.

Don't forget about the work search requirements! You have to apply for 3 jobs per week and keep detailed records. If you don't meet this or can't prove you're actively looking, they'll cut your benefits. Also if you turn down a job offer that's considered 'suitable work' based on your skills and pay history.

I had trouble reaching Washington ESD when my claim got flagged for review last year. Spent hours trying to call them. Finally used this service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual agent within minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Really saved me from having my benefits stopped while waiting for clarification.

They also disqualify you if you're not legally authorized to work in the US, if you're already receiving other benefits like workers comp that conflict, or if you're enrolled in school full-time without meeting specific criteria. The school thing trips up a lot of people.

Income while on unemployment is another big one. If you do any work while collecting benefits, you MUST report it on your weekly claim. Even small amounts can affect your benefits, and failing to report income is considered fraud which can disqualify you permanently.

Voluntary quit situations are tricky. If you quit your job, you're usually disqualified UNLESS you had 'good cause' which Washington ESD defines pretty narrowly. Things like harassment, unsafe working conditions, or significant changes to your job terms might qualify, but you need documentation.

ive been on unemployment twice and the job search thing is what gets most people in trouble. they randomly audit your job search log and if you cant prove you applied to 3 jobs every week with specific details they will stop your benefits immediately

Medical issues can disqualify you too if they prevent you from working. You have to be 'able and available' for work. If you can't work due to illness or injury, you might need disability benefits instead of unemployment.

Travel can be an issue too. If you leave the state or aren't available to start work immediately, they can question your 'availability' for work. You're supposed to notify them if you travel and make sure you can still meet job search requirements.

The system is so confusing and they don't explain things clearly. When I got a disqualification notice I had no idea what it meant or how to fix it. Calling Washington ESD was impossible - kept getting hung up on after waiting on hold forever. Someone on here mentioned Claimyr and that's how I finally got through to understand what happened.

Age discrimination is real but hard to prove for unemployment purposes. If you're older and turn down jobs that seem inappropriate for your experience level, Washington ESD might consider it 'refusing suitable work' even if the job seems like a step backward.

Don't forget about the earnings requirements to qualify in the first place. If you didn't earn enough wages in your base period, you won't qualify at all. This trips up people who worked part-time or had gaps in employment.

Criminal background can sometimes be an issue depending on the conviction and how it affects your ability to find work. Washington ESD doesn't automatically disqualify based on criminal history, but it can impact the 'suitable work' determination.

The WorkSource registration requirement catches a lot of people off guard. You're required to register with WorkSourceWA within a specific timeframe after filing your claim. Missing this deadline can result in disqualification until you complete the registration.

Fraud is obviously a big disqualifier and Washington ESD takes it seriously. This includes lying about why you lost your job, not reporting income, claiming benefits while working full-time, or using someone else's identity. The penalties are severe including paying back benefits plus fines.

Labor disputes can affect eligibility too. If you're out of work due to a strike or lockout, there are special rules that might disqualify you or delay benefits depending on your involvement in the dispute.

Self-employment while collecting can be tricky. If you start any kind of business or freelance work while on unemployment, you need to report it even if you're not making money yet. The fact that you're engaged in self-employment can affect your 'available for work' status.

The bottom line is Washington ESD has a lot of rules and they're not always clearly explained. If you get a disqualification notice or your claim gets flagged, don't just accept it. You have appeal rights and sometimes it's worth fighting. I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier to get through to an agent when I needed clarification on my situation.

Thanks everyone for all this info. I had no idea there were so many ways to get disqualified. I'm definitely going to be extra careful about reporting everything and keeping detailed records if I ever need to file for unemployment.