What disqualifies you from unemployment in Washington - need clarity on my situation

Thank you! That's reassuring. I was laid off so that should be fine. What exactly counts as 'misconduct' though? I'm worried they might twist something.

Misconduct has to be willful or wanton disregard of employer's interests. Things like theft, violence, or repeatedly violating policies after warnings. Simple poor performance or personality conflicts usually don't count.

Good point about the job search requirement. How many jobs do I need to apply for each week?

You need to make at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. This can include applying for jobs, networking, attending job fairs, etc.

Wow that's scary. How do they determine what's 'suitable work'?

Suitable work criteria includes wages (usually 80% of previous after first 5 weeks), commute distance, and whether it matches your skills and experience. Your friend might have had grounds to appeal that decision.

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to Washington ESD agents without the crazy wait times. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration.

That sounds too good to be true. How does it actually work?

It's legit - they basically handle all the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent is available. Super simple to use and way better than sitting on hold for hours.

What kind of documentation do they want? I've been applying for jobs but not keeping detailed records.

You need employer names, contact info, dates, positions applied for, method of contact - everything! Keep receipts, emails, screenshots. They can ask for proof at any time.

This is why I tell everyone to use the WorkSourceWA website to track their job search. It automatically keeps records for you.

You can attend school and receive UI benefits in Washington, but you have to be available for work during normal business hours. Evening or weekend classes are usually fine.

Good to know! I was worried about starting some online courses.

How much can you earn before it affects your benefits?

In Washington, you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount without losing benefits. Anything over that reduces your payment dollar for dollar.

How long did the appeal take? I'm worried about going without income for weeks.

Mine took about 6 weeks total, but they paid me retroactively once I won. Keep filing your weekly claims even during the appeal.

Yikes! So you have to report ALL income, even small amounts?

Yes, everything! Even if it's just $20 from a side gig. Better to over-report than under-report.

I'm skeptical of those third-party services. Isn't there a risk they might mess something up?

I was worried about that too, but they just help you get connected - you still talk directly to the Washington ESD agent yourself. No risk at all.

I think I should be okay on that front since I worked full-time for over a year before being laid off.

Yeah you should be fine then. It's mainly an issue for people who haven't worked much recently.

I'm a US citizen so that shouldn't be an issue for me.

But there are some exceptions for this, right? Like if you're temporarily unable to work?

It depends on the situation. Sometimes they'll put your claim on hold rather than disqualify you completely.

That sounds like something you could appeal. Medical emergencies are usually considered good cause for not job searching.

I did appeal and won eventually, but it took months and was super stressful.

Good advice! I'll make sure to stay on top of any correspondence from Washington ESD.

Set up email notifications if you can. Sometimes the mail is slow and you might miss important deadlines.

I might try that if I run into any issues. Thanks for all the helpful info everyone!

Good luck with your claim! Sounds like you should be fine since you were laid off through no fault of your own.

Will do! I've been filing them regularly so far.

Perfect. That's the most important thing to stay consistent with.