What disqualifies you from unemployment in Washington ESD - need to understand the rules

What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? I left my last job because my boss was constantly yelling at everyone but I'm worried that's not a good enough reason.

Hostile work environment can qualify as good cause, but you need to document it. Did you report it to HR or have witnesses? Washington ESD looks for evidence that you tried to resolve the situation first.

What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? Is it pretty strict or do they give you some leeway?

Good cause includes things like unsafe working conditions, discrimination, significant changes to your job duties or pay, or personal circumstances like domestic violence. It's case by case but you need documentation.

Wait, is it really 3 jobs per week? I thought it was just that you had to be actively looking?

Yes, 3 work search activities per week minimum. It's in the Washington ESD handbook. You log them in your WorkSourceWA account.

Good to know! I've been applying to jobs but haven't been tracking everything properly.

Never heard of that service before, but I'm definitely struggling to get through to anyone at Washington ESD. How does it work exactly?

It's on claimyr.com - basically helps you get through the phone system automatically. Saved me hours of redialing and actually got to talk to someone who could explain my specific situation.

Wait, so you can work part time and still get some unemployment? I didn't know that was allowed.

Yeah, as long as you report it properly and don't earn too much. But if you mess up the reporting even by accident, they can hit you with an overpayment.

What if you do some freelance work or gig work? Do you have to report that too?

YES! Any income at all needs to be reported, even if it's just $20 from DoorDash or something. Washington ESD gets reports from all kinds of sources.

This is so confusing. What if you're not sure if something counts as work or income?

What if you can work but have some limitations? Like you can't lift heavy things but can do office work?

That's where the 'able and available' requirement gets tricky. You need to be available for work that matches your abilities and restrictions. Washington ESD will evaluate your specific situation.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already worried about money if I get denied.

It was worth it for me because I was able to get my disqualification overturned on appeal. Sometimes you need to actually talk to someone to understand what went wrong.

I might need to look into that. I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for two weeks about my claim status with no luck.

What counts as a valid job search contact? Does just looking at job postings online count?

No, you need to actually apply for jobs, contact employers directly, attend job fairs, or do other active search activities. Just browsing doesn't count.

Oh no! Did you eventually get it sorted out?

yeah but it delayed my benefits by like 3 weeks. now i just sit by the phone all day on interview days lol

I understand the frustration, but the rules exist to make sure benefits go to people who are genuinely unemployed through no fault of their own and actively looking for work.

i get that but they could explain it better instead of using all this confusing legal language

What about students? I heard full-time students can't get unemployment benefits.

That's generally true. Full-time students usually aren't considered 'available for work' unless they meet specific exceptions like being in approved training programs.

How do they decide what's 'suitable work'? That seems really subjective.

They look at your previous wages, skills, experience, and how long you've been unemployed. The longer you're out of work, the more they expect you to accept lower-paying jobs.

Did your brother appeal the decision? Sometimes they're too strict about what counts as suitable.

How much less? Like if I was making $25/hour, what's the minimum I'd have to accept?

Generally starts at around 80% of your previous wage, but it varies. After several weeks it can go lower. Washington ESD has specific guidelines based on your situation and local job market.

Wait, they can require drug tests for unemployment claims? I've never heard of that.

It's not common but they can require it in certain situations, especially if you're in a profession where drug testing is standard or if there's reason to believe drug use contributed to your job loss.

It depends on the program and schedule. Some training programs are actually approved by Washington ESD and won't affect your benefits. But regular college classes during normal work hours could be a problem.

That's helpful to know. I was thinking about taking some online classes but wasn't sure if it would affect my claim.

How much do you have to earn to requalify after a voluntary quit disqualification?

I think it's 7 times your weekly benefit amount in covered employment, but don't quote me on that. Washington ESD has the exact requirements on their website.

What if your workplace closes down completely due to a strike at a different company?

That's a different situation - if you're laid off due to lack of work caused by someone else's labor dispute, you might still qualify. It's pretty specific to each case.

That's where documentation becomes really important. If you can show the firing was really due to layoffs or factors outside your control, you might be able to appeal a misconduct determination.

Makes sense. I wish I had kept better records when I was having problems at my last job.

What if you're only temporarily unable to work? Like if you have surgery but will be fine in a few weeks?

You'd probably be disqualified for those weeks when you can't work, but could reestablish eligibility once you're able and available again.

Wait, so even though I don't get paid for the first week, I still have to file a weekly claim?

Exactly! It's called a waiting week. You have to file it to establish your claim pattern. Skip it and you could have issues later.

It really helped me understand what was going on with my case. The phone system at Washington ESD is just impossible to navigate on your own.

Yeah, I've tried calling during different times of day and can never get through. It's so frustrating when you need answers.

What if you move but are still looking for work in Washington? Does that matter?

It can get complicated. You need to follow the interstate claim procedures and there might be additional requirements about your job search activities.

I keep seeing people mention this service. Is it really that much better than just calling the regular number?

For me it was. I was getting nowhere with the regular phone lines - always busy or getting disconnected. At least with Claimyr I actually got to talk to someone who could answer my questions.

What if you have to travel for a job interview or for family emergency?

Job interviews are usually fine - that's part of looking for work. Family emergencies might be okay depending on the situation, but you should report it and let Washington ESD decide.

I know it seems overwhelming but most of the rules make sense when you understand them. The key is just being honest and following the requirements.

Maybe, but it's still stressful when you're already dealing with being unemployed and then have to worry about all these rules too.

What about retirement benefits? Can you collect unemployment if you're getting a pension?

Pension income can reduce your unemployment benefits depending on how it's set up. Washington ESD has specific rules about how different types of retirement income are handled.

How do they calculate the base period? Is it just the last 12 months?

It's actually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, they look at quarters from January 2023 through September 2024.

Two weeks is pretty normal, especially if there are no issues with your claim. You should get a determination letter in the mail once they process everything.

ok good. i was starting to think maybe i did something wrong on my application

That's really good advice. I'd rather be upfront about everything than worry about getting in trouble later.

Exactly. And if you do get disqualified for something, you can usually appeal the decision if you think it's wrong.

Thanks for all the info everyone. This has been really helpful in understanding what I need to watch out for.

Yeah this thread has been super informative. I feel like I have a much better understanding of the rules now.

Thank you! I feel much more confident about avoiding disqualification now.

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

Right, and you have to report these situations to Washington ESD or you could face fraud charges on top of everything else.

How do they calculate the base period? Is it the last year you worked?

It's usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at January 2024 through September 2024.

What if you're not part of the union but get laid off because of a strike at your workplace?

That's usually different - if you're not directly involved in the labor dispute, you might still be eligible. But it's a complex area.

I thought if you could legally work, you could get unemployment benefits?

Generally yes, but some visa categories have specific restrictions. It's best to check with Washington ESD about your particular situation.

Thanks everyone for all the detailed info. This is way more complicated than I expected but at least now I know what to watch out for.

Good luck with your claim! Just be honest, follow the rules, and keep good documentation of everything.

How long do you have to file an appeal if you get disqualified?

Usually 30 days from the date of the determination letter. Don't wait - if you think it's wrong, appeal right away.

And that's another reason why being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD is so important. Sometimes you need to understand exactly why you were disqualified before you know how to appeal.