What disqualifies you from unemployment benefits in Washington?

What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? My boss was really hostile but I don't have documentation.

Good cause includes things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, significant changes to job duties or pay. Documentation helps but isn't always required - Washington ESD will investigate.

What exactly counts as 'suitable work'? I don't want to accidentally refuse something I should have taken.

Suitable work generally means jobs that match your skills, pay at least 70% of your previous wage (after first 5 weeks), and are within reasonable commuting distance. The criteria get broader the longer you're on benefits.

What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? My supervisor was creating a hostile work environment but I don't have much documentation.

Good cause includes unsafe working conditions, harassment, significant changes to job terms, or health issues. Document everything you can remember with dates and witnesses if possible.

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

Misconduct has to be willful and substantial. Being late occasionally usually isn't enough unless it's a pattern and you were warned.

Did you appeal that decision? Seems like childcare should be a valid reason for some scheduling limitations.

Yes, I appealed and won! The judge said my restrictions were reasonable. But it took 2 months to get resolved.

If you need to reach Washington ESD about disqualification issues or appeals, I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Really helped when I was trying to understand my disqualification.

I did document some of the hostile behavior in emails to HR. Would that be enough proof for good cause?

Email documentation to HR is exactly what you want. Keep copies of everything and any responses from HR too.

What counts as 'misconduct' exactly? My coworker was always late but they said it was misconduct.

Misconduct includes things like repeated tardiness, insubordination, violation of company policies, dishonesty, or actions that harm the employer's interests. Being late occasionally isn't misconduct, but chronic tardiness can be.

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

Misconduct has to be willful and substantial. Occasional tardiness usually isn't enough unless it's chronic and you were warned repeatedly.

What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? Is it pretty strict?

Good cause includes things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, significant changes to your job duties or pay, or personal reasons like domestic violence or needing to care for a sick family member. But you usually need documentation to prove it.

Thanks! What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? My cousin had to quit because her boss was making the workplace really hostile.

Good cause includes harassment, unsafe working conditions, significant changes to job duties or pay, domestic violence situations, and a few other specific circumstances. She should document everything and be prepared to explain the situation to Washington ESD.

How long did your appeal take? Did you need a lawyer?

Took about 6 weeks total. I didn't use a lawyer, just gathered all my documentation and explained my side clearly at the hearing.

Wait, I thought it was just 2 job search activities? When did it change to 3?

It's been 3 for a while now. You need to log them in your WorkSourceWA account too.

Thanks! What exactly counts as 'good cause' for quitting? I've heard it's pretty strict.

Good cause includes things like unsafe working conditions, significant changes to your job duties or pay, harassment, or compelling family reasons. Washington ESD looks at whether a reasonable person would have quit under the same circumstances.

What counts as 'suitable work'? Like if I made $25/hour before, do I have to take a $15/hour job?

After the first few weeks you generally have to consider work that pays at least 80% of your previous wage. But there are exceptions for things like major commute distance or if it's way outside your skill set.

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

It has to be willful misconduct connected to work. Being late occasionally usually isn't enough unless it was repeated after warnings and showed deliberate disregard for your job duties.

What kind of proof would I need? I have some text messages from coworkers about the situation, but nothing official.

Text messages could help, also any emails, witness statements from coworkers, or documentation you filed with HR. The key is showing you had no reasonable alternative but to quit.

How detailed do the job search records need to be?

very detailed - company name, contact person, date, method of contact, position applied for. they can audit you anytime

Is it really 3 jobs every single week? That seems like a lot if there aren't many openings in your field.

Yes, it's 3 job contacts per week unless you're in a union hiring hall or certain training programs. You can expand your search area or consider related fields if needed.

What counts as 'misconduct' exactly? I got written up once for being late but it wasn't a pattern.

Misconduct has to be willful or deliberate. One write-up for tardiness usually isn't enough unless it was part of a pattern or you violated a clear policy you knew about.

Wait, you can get disqualified just for not reporting work on time? Even if you were trying to report it?

Yeah, they're strict about reporting deadlines. But if you can explain the circumstances to an actual person, they might reverse it. That's why getting through by phone is so important.

How much does that Claimyr thing cost? Seems like you shouldn't have to pay extra just to talk to Washington ESD.

What's considered 'suitable work'? Do I have to take any job offered or can I be picky about salary?

Suitable work considers your skills, experience, and prior wages. Generally after 13 weeks you may need to accept work at 75% of your previous wage, but there are protections against having to take just any job.

How much does something like that cost though? I'm already struggling financially.

It's way cheaper than losing weeks of benefits while you're stuck in limbo trying to reach someone. The time and stress it saves is worth it when you're dealing with disqualification issues.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I found out about it recently and it actually got me through to a real Washington ESD agent. They have a service that handles the calling for you - check out claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that but at this point I'm willing to try anything. How much does it cost?

They focus more on the value of actually getting through rather than the cost. For me it was worth it just to finally talk to someone who could explain what was happening with my claim.

What counts as 'good cause'? My hours went from 35 to 8 per week and I couldn't pay rent.

Substantial reduction in hours usually qualifies as good cause. You should be fine on that one.

Thanks! What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? My friend said she quit because of harassment but still got denied.

Good cause includes unsafe working conditions, harassment, discrimination, significant changes to job duties/pay, or domestic violence situations. If she quit due to harassment, she should appeal and provide documentation like emails, witness statements, or HR complaints.

What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? My friend quit because her boss was creating a hostile work environment but got denied.

Good cause includes things like harassment, unsafe working conditions, significant changes to your job duties or pay, or health issues caused by work. Your friend should definitely appeal that decision with documentation of the hostile environment.

Don't forget about the work search requirements - if you don't do your required job contacts each week that's grounds for disqualification too.

How many job contacts do you need per week? I keep hearing different numbers.

It's 3 job search activities per week in Washington, and they have to be documented in your WorkSourceWA account.

How strict are they about the job search thing? I've been applying but not keeping great records.

Very strict! Keep everything - applications, networking contacts, job fair attendance, training activities. They can ask for your records anytime and if you can't prove you did the work, you'll get disqualified.

Wait, is it 3 per week? I thought it was 5? I've been doing 5 this whole time...

It's 3 per week for most people, but some WorkSource participants might have different requirements. Better to do more than required though!

Good to know about the 3 per week. I've been worried I wasn't doing enough.

How long is the waiting period usually?

It varies but typically 5-10 weeks depending on your situation and how much you earned before quitting.

How did they find out? I'm scared I might have missed reporting something small.

They cross-reference with employment records. Better to over-report than under-report. I had to pay back everything plus penalties.

This is exactly why I use Claimyr when I need to talk to Washington ESD about reporting issues. Their service at claimyr.com helped me get through to an agent who explained exactly what I needed to report. Way better than trying to call on my own.

What exactly counts as 'misconduct' when it comes to being fired? Is it just criminal stuff or other things too?

Misconduct includes things like repeated tardiness, insubordination, violating company policies, or willful disregard of employer interests. It doesn't have to be criminal - just behavior that shows you weren't meeting basic job expectations.

Did you appeal it? That seems like something you could fight.

I tried but it was hard to get through to Washington ESD to even start the appeal process. Spent weeks calling and either got busy signals or got disconnected after being on hold forever. Eventually found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual person - they have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Is that legit? Sounds too good to be true with how impossible it is to reach ESD.

Yeah it's real. I was skeptical too but it actually worked. Way better than calling 50 times a day and getting hung up on.

What kind of activities count toward the 3 weekly requirements? I've been mostly just applying online.

Online applications count, but you can also do things like attend job fairs, networking events, or informational interviews. The key is documenting everything with dates and specific details.

Is there a specific format for the job search log or can I just keep my own records?

Washington ESD has their own format they prefer, but as long as you track employer name, date, position, and type of contact, you should be fine. Just be consistent.

How does that service work? Do they just call for you or what?

They handle the calling process and connect you directly with an ESD agent. No more sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected. Really helpful when you need to discuss complex eligibility questions.

What counts as a job search activity? Is just applying online enough or do you need to do other stuff too?

Applications count, but you can also do things like attending job fairs, networking events, taking skills assessments, or contacting employers directly. Just keep good records of everything.

That's rough. Did you win your appeal? I'm worried about the same thing happening to me.

Yeah I won but it took 3 months and I almost lost my apartment waiting for the money.

If you're struggling to get through to Washington ESD during an appeal, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Is there a way to check if you meet the wage requirements before filing?

Yeah, you can look at your wage history on the Washington ESD website when you file. It shows all your reported wages from the past 18 months.

Yes I had two written warnings but my car kept breaking down. Does that matter?

Transportation issues can sometimes be mitigating circumstances, but repeated tardiness after warnings might still be considered misconduct.

How many jobs do you have to apply for each week? I keep hearing different numbers.

It's typically 3 job search activities per week, but it can vary based on your situation. Activities include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking, etc.

What makes work 'suitable'? Is there a specific pay threshold?

Suitable work depends on your skills, experience, and how long you've been unemployed. Early in your claim period, suitable work is usually jobs similar to your previous work at 80% or more of your previous wage. After time passes, the requirements become less restrictive.

What if you're sick for a few days? Do you have to report that too?

Yes, if you're not able to work on any day during your claim week, you need to answer 'no' to the able and available question for those days. It might affect your payment for that week.

This is why I love using Claimyr (claimyr.com) when I need to talk to Washington ESD about anything confusing. Their service helped me get through to an agent who explained exactly what counted for my work search log. Way better than trying to call myself and getting hung up on.

Never heard of that service. Does it actually work? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my adjudication.

Yeah it really works. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it connects you. Saved me hours of calling and redialing.

What if you worked multiple part-time jobs? Do those wages all count together?

yes all W-2 wages count together as long as they were reported properly

What if you're on standby status? Do you still need to do job searches?

No, standby is different - you don't need to search for work if you have a specific return date within 12 weeks

What about if you get a part-time job while on unemployment? Can that disqualify you?

Part-time work won't disqualify you but you have to report all earnings. If you make more than your weekly benefit amount plus $5, you won't get any unemployment that week. But you can still file your weekly claim.

BE CAREFUL about reporting earnings late though. Even if it's an honest mistake, Washington ESD treats late reporting as potential fraud and can disqualify you.

Did you win your appeal? That seems unfair if it was such a big pay cut.

Yeah I did win eventually, but it took months. The key was showing the job wasn't in my usual occupation and the pay cut was unreasonable for my skill level.

How do they catch things like unreported work?

they cross reference with tax records, do random audits, sometimes employers report it... not worth the risk

Being temporarily unable to work due to illness doesn't permanently disqualify you, but you wouldn't be eligible for benefits during that period since you're not 'able and available.' You'd need to report it.

I had surgery last year and Washington ESD put my claim on hold until I could work again. Wasn't a disqualification, just a temporary pause.

What about part-time school? I'm thinking about taking some classes while looking for work.

Part-time is usually okay as long as it doesn't interfere with your ability to accept work. But you need to report it on your weekly claims and be prepared to explain how you'll handle work conflicts.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs?

Applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, career workshops, creating profiles on job sites. But you need to keep specific records - company name, contact person, date, method of contact.

And they actually check this stuff! My cousin got audited and had to provide all his job search logs going back 3 months.

That sounds really frustrating. Were you able to appeal it?

Still waiting on my appeal hearing. It's been 6 weeks. The whole process is a nightmare.

What about part-time classes? I was thinking of taking a night class.

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

How many jobs do you have to apply for each week? I heard it changed recently.

It's 3 job search activities per week in Washington. Can be applications, interviews, networking events, job fairs, etc. You have to keep a log of everything.

So if someone was just bad at their job but trying their best, that wouldn't be misconduct?

Correct. Incompetence or inability to perform the job isn't misconduct unless you can prove they were deliberately performing poorly.

How do they find out about unreported work?

They cross-reference with other agencies, employers report wages, sometimes tips from coworkers. It's not worth the risk.

Exactly. Always report any work, even if it's just one day. You can still get partial benefits if you work part-time.

What if you forget to report something small like $20 from selling something online?

technically you're supposed to report all income. they probably won't catch $20 but if they do it could cause problems

What's the income limit? I picked up a small gig and made $200 last week.

There's no hard limit - it depends on your weekly benefit amount. Generally if you earn more than 1.5 times your weekly benefit, you get no payment that week. But always report it regardless.

What other benefits conflict? Like disability?

Yeah, if you're getting Social Security disability or workers comp, that can affect your unemployment eligibility depending on the circumstances.

How did you finally get through to them? I keep hearing about people waiting hours on hold.

Honestly, I used this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. They have a system that calls for you and connects you when an agent picks up. Found it at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Never heard of that but sounds interesting. Did it actually work?

Yeah, got connected within like 20 minutes instead of spending my whole day redialing. Worth it when you need to resolve disqualification issues quickly.

How do they find out if someone lies? Do they call your employer?

Yes they contact employers for verification. Always be honest - the penalties for fraud are way worse than just being denied.

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 video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Is it expensive? I'm already broke from being unemployed.

It's worth it compared to spending days trying to get through on your own. They handle all the calling and waiting for you.

What about if you're going to school? Does that automatically disqualify you?

Not automatically, but you have to prove you're still available for work. Full-time students often have trouble meeting the 'available for work' requirement unless they can show flexibility in their schedule.

Yikes! How much trouble did you get in? Was it hard to fix?

Had to pay back about $800 in benefits plus a 15% penalty. It was my fault for not understanding the reporting rules, but the penalty seemed harsh for an honest mistake.

This is exactly why I'm paranoid about reporting everything correctly. The system doesn't seem very forgiving of mistakes.

Yes, huge difference. Poor performance or inability to do the job usually won't disqualify you. Misconduct is willful violations of company policy or criminal behavior. Performance issues are generally not disqualifying.

That's good to know. I was worried about a bad performance review I got last year.

What about quitting because of COVID concerns? Does that still count as good cause?

That's more complicated now. Early in the pandemic it was easier to prove good cause for COVID-related quits, but now Washington ESD expects you to work with your employer on safety measures first.

Wait, they can require drug tests for unemployment?

Not for getting benefits, but if you're referred to a job that requires drug testing and you fail or refuse, that can affect your eligibility.

What's the limit on earnings? I might pick up some freelance work while job hunting.

You can earn up to your weekly benefit amount plus $5 before it starts reducing your benefits. Anything over that and your benefits get reduced dollar for dollar.

Make sure you report ALL earnings when you file your weekly claim, even if it's just $20. Not reporting income is fraud.

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com. They basically call Washington ESD for you and get you through to an actual person. I was able to get my disqualification issue resolved after using them. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

That sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

It's worth it when you consider how much time you save not sitting on hold for hours. Plus getting your benefits sorted out faster pays for itself.

I had similar issues getting through to Washington ESD. I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you through to real agents. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Really? How does that work? I'm always getting busy signals or hung up on.

It basically handles the calling and waiting for you, then connects you when they get an agent on the line. Super helpful for situations like appeals or getting disqualifications reversed.

But you can collect unemployment if you move to another state right? I thought there was some interstate agreement.

Yes, but you need to notify them and follow specific procedures. Can't just disappear and keep filing claims.

How does that work exactly? I'm worried I'll need to talk to someone if they question my application.

It basically helps you get through the phone queue without sitting on hold for hours. Really helpful when you need to explain your situation to an actual person.

What counts as a valid job contact? Just applying online or do you need to actually talk to someone?

Online applications count as long as you're applying to jobs that match your skills and experience. But they also want to see networking, attending job fairs, contacting employers directly, etc. Variety is key.

I got a warning letter because I was only applying to jobs that were way above my experience level. They said I wasn't making a genuine effort to find work.

Do you have to disclose criminal history to Washington ESD when filing?

Not unless it directly affects your ability to work. But if you're turning down jobs because of background check issues, that could be a problem.

What does 'able and available' actually mean? I keep seeing this but it's confusing.

It means you're physically and mentally capable of working and actively seeking employment. You can't be on vacation or have restrictions that prevent you from accepting suitable work.

Good point about travel. How long can you be out of state before it becomes a problem?

You need to report any travel over 3 days to Washington ESD. Extended travel can make you 'not available for work' which is a disqualification. Short trips are usually okay if you report them properly.

How much less? Like if I was making $25/hour do I have to take anything above minimum wage eventually?

Generally after 5 weeks you need to accept work paying at least 75% of your previous wage, and after 13 weeks it drops to jobs paying at least the state minimum wage. But there are exceptions for certain professions.

How does that work exactly? Do they just call for you?

They handle the calling and waiting, then connect you when an agent is available. Saved me so much time when I needed to discuss my disqualification issue.

I got fired for attendance issues but still got approved for benefits. Apparently just being bad at your job isn't misconduct unless you're doing it on purpose.

Exactly! There's a difference between inability to perform and willful misconduct. If you tried your best but just weren't good at the job, that's not disqualifying misconduct.

What about gig work like Uber or DoorDash? Do those count too?

Absolutely yes! Any income from gig work, freelancing, or self-employment needs to be reported when you file your weekly claim.

That's encouraging! I was worried any firing would automatically disqualify you.

Nope, they look at whether it was willful misconduct or just performance/attendance issues beyond your control.

What if the job is way below your skill level though? Like if you're an engineer and they offer you a cashier job?

Early in your claim, you can refuse work that's significantly below your skill level. But after several weeks, the standards become less strict and you may have to take lower-level work.

Is the waiting week every time you file or just the first time?

Just once per benefit year, but if you stop claiming and start a new claim later, you might have to serve another waiting week.

What if you got fired for attendance issues? Is that misconduct?

Depends on the circumstances. If you were chronically late without good reason and ignored warnings, that could be misconduct. But if you had transportation issues or medical problems, probably not.

That's so frustrating! Did you check your SecureAccess Washington account? Sometimes they send notices there instead of by mail.

Yeah I check it religiously now but there was nothing there either. I think they just make stuff up sometimes.

Those amounts sound about right. Also your base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file.

How do I know if I've earned enough? Is there a way to check before filing?

I'm in school part-time, does that automatically disqualify me?

Not automatically, but you have to prove you're still available for work. If your classes interfere with normal work hours or you're not willing to quit school for a job, that's a problem.

That seems backwards - when you're sick is when you need help the most!

I know it seems unfair, but unemployment is specifically for people who are able to work but can't find work. Disability benefits are for people who can't work due to medical conditions.

Good point. I guess I was overthinking it.

Wait, being in school can disqualify you? I'm taking some online classes to improve my skills while job hunting.

It depends on the schedule. If it's full-time or interferes with your availability to work, it could be an issue. Part-time or online classes that don't limit your job search usually aren't a problem.

Mine are just evenings so should be fine. Thanks for clarifying!

I didn't know criminal history could affect unemployment benefits. Is this something they check automatically?

They don't automatically run background checks for regular UI claims, but it can come up if there are questions about your work search activities or suitable work requirements.

What if you do gig work like Uber or DoorDash? Does that count as self-employment?

Yes, gig work is considered self-employment income and has to be reported. The rules are tricky - sometimes you can still get partial benefits depending on your weekly earnings.

Really? I got 2 weeks severance, does that mean I can't file?

You can still file, but your benefits might be delayed until after the severance period ends. It depends on how your employer reported it.

What was confusing about the able and available question?

I thought it was asking if I was currently working, not if I was ready and able to accept work. Small difference but it matters a lot to ESD apparently.

How long did your appeal take? I'm worried about the time without benefits.

Mine took about 6 weeks total. If you win the appeal you get back pay for the whole period, so it's worth fighting if you believe you qualify.

What about evening classes or weekend courses?

Part-time education that doesn't interfere with your availability for full-time work is usually okay. But you need to report it when you file your weekly claims.

Did you have to provide medical documentation to Washington ESD?

Yes, they required doctor's notes and had me go through a whole process to determine what work I could still do. It was a nightmare of paperwork.

Do you need to be a citizen or just have work authorization?

Work authorization is sufficient, but you need to have it for the entire period you're claiming benefits. If your work authorization expires, you become ineligible.

What documents do they need to verify work authorization?

Usually your Social Security card and driver's license, or other documents that prove identity and work authorization. Same as what you'd provide for any job.

How hard is the appeal process? Do you need a lawyer?

You don't need a lawyer but it helps to be prepared. Gather all your documentation, witness statements if you have them, and be ready to explain your side. The hearing is usually by phone.

If you need help reaching Washington ESD about your appeal or getting clarification on the process, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier really does work. I used it when I was confused about my appeal deadlines.

Part-time school usually doesn't disqualify you as long as you're still able and available for full-time work. Full-time school is trickier - you might need to be in an approved training program.

Good to know, I'm only taking evening classes so I should be okay.

You can appeal that decision. After 6 months, they do expand what's considered suitable work, but it still has to be reasonably related to your skills and pay a fair wage.

already filed an appeal but who knows how long that will take. meanwhile no benefits