What disqualifies you from unemployment benefits in Washington - need clarity

Thanks! What exactly counts as 'misconduct' though? Is being late a few times enough to disqualify you?

Misconduct has to be willful or wanton disregard of employer's interests. Being late occasionally usually isn't enough unless it's chronic and you were warned repeatedly.

Thanks! What exactly counts as 'misconduct' though? Is being late a few times enough to disqualify you?

Misconduct has to be willful or deliberate violation of employer rules. Just being late occasionally usually isn't enough unless it's a pattern and you were warned multiple times.

What exactly counts as 'misconduct' though? Is it just criminal stuff or does it include other things?

Misconduct includes willful violations of company policy, insubordination, excessive absences without valid reason, and dishonesty. It has to be connected to work and show deliberate disregard for employer's interests.

Wait, is it still 3 contacts per week? I thought they changed it recently

Yes it's still 3 for most people, unless you're in a union with a hiring hall or certain training programs

What counts as a valid job search activity? I've been applying online but worried it's not enough.

Applications, networking contacts, job fairs, career counseling sessions - lots of things count. Just make sure you document everything with dates and details.

Is that legit? I'm desperate to talk to someone about my adjudication but can never get through.

Yeah it's real - saved me hours of calling. They basically handle the calling process for you and connect you when an agent is available.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying to jobs or other things too?

Applying for jobs, networking, going to job fairs, working with WorkSource, updating your resume, etc. They have a list on the Washington ESD website.

How does that work exactly? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days with no luck

It basically keeps calling for you and gets you connected when an agent is available. Saved me hours of redialing and getting disconnected.

Good point about school. What about part-time classes?

Part-time is usually okay as long as it doesn't interfere with your ability to work full-time and you're still doing job search

Even like $50 from a side gig?

Yes, every penny has to be reported when you file your weekly claim. Washington ESD cross-checks with employers so they'll find out anyway

This is really helpful, I'll make sure my sister knows about the reporting requirements

Never heard of that before. Does it actually work or is it some kind of scam?

It's legit - they just help you get through the phone system to reach a real person at Washington ESD. Really useful when you need to talk to someone about your specific situation.

What if you forget to report something small? Can you fix it later?

You should contact Washington ESD immediately to correct it. The longer you wait, the worse it looks.

What about medical issues? Does being sick disqualify you?

Short-term illness usually doesn't disqualify you, but longer medical issues might. You'd need to discuss with Washington ESD about your specific situation.

Good to know! How do you file an appeal? Is it complicated?

You can file online through your SecureAccess Washington account or mail in the appeal form. Make sure to include any documentation that supports your case.

You can be disqualified for refusing 'suitable work' without good cause. Suitable work considers your skills, experience, commute distance, and pay compared to your previous job.

So if they offer me a job paying way less than my previous job I can refuse it?

Initially yes, but the longer you're unemployed the more the definition of 'suitable' expands. After several weeks they expect you to consider lower-paying positions.

How much less pay are you supposed to accept? Like 50% of what you made before?

It depends on how long you've been unemployed and your situation, but generally you can't turn down work that pays at least 80% of your previous wage in the first few weeks, then it goes down from there.

That doesn't sound right. I thought it was more about whether the job is in your skill set and reasonable distance from home.

Did you document the harassment? You might have a good case for appeal if you have evidence.

I have some emails and text messages. Didn't think to keep a detailed log though. Is it too late now?

Not too late! Gather whatever documentation you have and file an appeal. Harassment can definitely be good cause for quitting.

That's harsh but makes sense. What about prescription medications though?

Legal prescriptions shouldn't be an issue as long as they don't impair your ability to work safely.

Really? Even for like a weekend trip?

Technically yes, though they usually care more about extended trips where you wouldn't be available for work

If it was due to health issues, that's usually not considered misconduct. You might need medical documentation to prove it though.

I do have doctor's notes for some of the absences. Should I send those to Washington ESD?

I'm taking night classes - does that count as full-time?

It depends on credit hours and if it interferes with your availability for work. Check with Washington ESD about your specific schedule.

What documentation do they require for work authorization?

Usually your Social Security card and driver's license, but they might ask for additional documents depending on your situation.

What's the income threshold? I'm working a few hours a week but don't want to lose benefits.

It varies based on your benefit amount. Generally if you earn more than your weekly benefit amount plus $5, you won't get any benefits that week.

totally agree, the handbook is like 100 pages and half of it doesn't make sense

The rules are complex because they have to cover so many different situations. But you're right that they could explain things more clearly.

What if you forget to report something small? Like if you made $50 doing odd jobs?

Better to report it late than not at all. Call Washington ESD or report it on your next weekly claim and explain it was an oversight.

Only if it's suitable work and you don't have good cause for refusing. You can turn down jobs that don't meet certain criteria.

What if the job would require me to commute 2 hours each way? That seems unreasonable.

Generally anything over 1 hour or 50 miles one way is considered unreasonable, but it depends on your specific situation and what jobs are available in your area.

Six weeks seems excessive for one missed requirement. Did you appeal?

Yeah I appealed but it took forever. Eventually got it overturned but lost weeks of benefits in the meantime.

How much do you need to have earned? My sister was working part time for a while

You need earnings in at least 2 quarters of your base period and total earnings of at least 1.25 times your highest quarter. It's complicated but Washington ESD calculates it when you apply.

My sister is only 28 so that shouldn't be an issue for her

Yeah that's mainly for older workers. Just wanted to mention it since you asked about all possible disqualifications

She was a regular W-2 employee so that should be fine

Yeah W-2 workers are covered as long as they meet the other requirements

That makes sense since you wouldn't be available for work

Good to know! Is the appeal process complicated?

It involves a hearing with an administrative law judge. You can represent yourself or get help. The key is having documentation to support your case.

I used Claimyr again when I needed to talk to someone about my appeal timeline. Really helped me understand the process better.

If you're unable to work due to medical reasons, you generally won't qualify for unemployment since you have to be able and available for work. You might qualify for disability benefits instead.

That's what I thought but wasn't sure. Thanks for clarifying

My sister works in retail so that shouldn't apply to her situation

It is a lot, but the main thing is to be honest on your application and weekly claims. Most problems come from people not reporting things correctly or misunderstanding the requirements.

Exactly - when in doubt, report it and let Washington ESD decide rather than trying to guess

Gross misconduct is more severe - things like theft, violence, or criminal behavior at work. It can result in immediate disqualification without the usual benefit reduction period.

Yikes, that's serious stuff. Hopefully most people don't have to deal with that level

Thanks everyone! This gives me a much better understanding of what my sister needs to be aware of when she applies.

Hope everything works out for her! The unemployment system isn't perfect but it's there to help people who need it