What disqualifies you from getting unemployment benefits in Washington?

What counts as 'good cause' exactly? My boss was verbally abusive and created a hostile work environment but I don't have any written documentation of it.

Hostile work environment can be good cause, but you'll need to provide as much detail as possible during the adjudication process. Even without written proof, consistent verbal abuse that affects your ability to work can qualify.

How long did it take for them to decide? I'm stressed about being without income while they figure it out.

took like 3 weeks for my adjudication to complete. was nerve wracking but worth it in the end

Never heard of that service before. Did it actually help you get your claim approved?

Yeah, being able to talk to someone directly made a huge difference. I was able to explain my situation properly instead of just filling out forms and hoping for the best.

Sounds too good to be true honestly. How much do they charge for something like that?

It's not about the cost, it's about actually getting through when you need help. When you're dealing with potential disqualification, talking to someone who knows the system is worth it.

What if you get fired but it wasn't really misconduct? Like if you just weren't a good fit for the job?

Being fired for poor performance or not being a good fit is different from misconduct. Performance issues usually don't disqualify you unless there was willful negligence or refusal to follow instructions.

I got fired for being late too many times. Does that count as misconduct?

Chronic tardiness could be considered misconduct if you were warned repeatedly and continued the behavior. It depends on the specific circumstances and your employer's documentation.

I feel you on this. The system is confusing as hell and they don't make it easy to get straight answers.

That's exactly why services like Claimyr exist though. Sometimes you need someone who actually understands the system to walk you through it.

How many job searches do you have to do per week? And what counts as 'suitable work'?

You need to do at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. Suitable work generally means jobs in your field or experience level, though the requirements can change over time.

They also look at the pay rate. You can't just turn down any job that pays less than what you want.

Your base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. You need to have earned enough wages during that time to qualify for benefits.

So if I just started working recently I might not qualify?

Right, you need sufficient work history. There's also an alternate base period they can use if you don't qualify under the standard one.

That's rough. The availability requirement is pretty strict - you have to be ready to accept full-time work if it's offered.

There are some exceptions for approved training programs though. If the school is through WorkSource it might be different.

6 weeks?! That's insane. I can't afford to wait that long for an answer.

This is exactly why I ended up using Claimyr when I had issues. Being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD instead of waiting forever made all the difference in getting my situation resolved quickly.

Same here. When you're dealing with potential disqualification, you can't afford to just sit and wait. Getting direct access to an agent helped me provide the right information upfront.

So even if everything goes smoothly, there's still a delay in getting money?

Yep, the waiting week is standard. You file the claim but the first week is unpaid. After that you get weekly payments if you keep filing your weekly claims.

What kind of details do they want in the job search log?

Company name, position, date, method of contact, and follow-up actions. They can audit your log at any time so keep it accurate and complete.

Do online applications count as job search activities?

Yes, but you need variety. Don't just do online apps - include networking, job fairs, direct employer contact, etc.