What disqualifies you from unemployment in Washington - need to understand my situation

There are several things that can disqualify you from Washington ESD unemployment. Quitting without good cause is a big one, but hostile work environment might qualify as good cause if you can document it. Other disqualifications include being fired for misconduct, refusing suitable work, not actively searching for jobs, or not being able and available to work. Did you document the hostile work environment issues?

I got disqualified once for not doing enough job searches. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week and they actually check sometimes. Make sure you're logging everything in WorkSourceWA!

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to get clarity on disqualification rules, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helped me when I was worried about my claim status.

The main disqualifications I know about are: quitting without good cause, getting fired for misconduct, refusing a job offer that's suitable for you, not being physically able to work, not being available for work, fraud or misrepresentation, and not meeting the job search requirements. There's also stuff about not being a US citizen or not having work authorization.

Don't panic about every little thing! I was worried about disqualification too but most people who follow the rules are fine. Just make sure you're doing your job searches, reporting any work or income, and staying available for work. If you get disqualified you can always appeal.

ugh the washington esd system is so confusing about this stuff. they never explain things clearly and then punish you for not understanding their rules. i got disqualified once for something i didnt even know was wrong

Here's a more complete list of disqualification reasons: 1) Voluntary quit without good cause 2) Discharge for misconduct 3) Refusing suitable work 4) Not able and available 5) Not actively seeking work 6) Fraud/misrepresentation 7) Labor dispute involvement 8) Receiving other benefits that conflict 9) Not meeting eligibility requirements. Good cause for quitting includes things like harassment, unsafe conditions, or significant changes to your job.

I had a friend who got disqualified because she went on vacation and wasn't available for work during that week. She forgot to mark herself as unavailable on her weekly claim. They're pretty strict about being available.

Another thing - if you're going to school full-time that can disqualify you because you might not be available for full-time work. There are some exceptions but it's complicated.

The job search thing is huge. Make sure you're doing 3 activities per week and logging them properly in WorkSourceWA. Activities can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or even certain online training courses.

If you're worried about your specific situation, definitely try to get through to Washington ESD to ask directly. Like I mentioned before, Claimyr really helped me connect with an agent when I couldn't get through the regular way. Sometimes you need that direct clarification.

Don't forget about the earnings deduction rules too. If you work part-time while claiming, they deduct your earnings from your benefits. But if you earn too much in a week, you might not get any benefits for that week. It's not exactly disqualification but it affects your payments.

I think the key is just being honest and following the rules. Report everything, do your job searches, stay available for work, and keep good records. Most disqualifications happen because people don't understand the rules or try to hide something.

the whole system is designed to trick you into making mistakes so they can save money by denying claims. be super careful about everything and assume they're looking for reasons to disqualify you

One thing people don't realize is that even if you get disqualified, it might not be permanent. Some disqualifications are just for a certain number of weeks, others require you to work and earn a certain amount before you can claim again.

Also watch out for the overpayment issue. If you get benefits you weren't entitled to, even by mistake, they'll want that money back. That's different from disqualification but related.

The important thing is don't panic if you do get a disqualification notice. You have appeal rights and many disqualifications get overturned if you have good documentation and representation.

just wanted to say thanks for this thread, im in a similar situation where i quit because of a toxic boss and was worried about disqualification too. sounds like i need to gather my documentation

One last thought - if anyone needs to speak with Washington ESD directly about disqualification concerns, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier has been really reliable for getting through to agents. Sometimes you just need that human contact to understand your specific situation better.

Bottom line - be honest, follow the rules, keep good records, and don't be afraid to ask questions or appeal if needed. The system is confusing but most people who follow the guidelines don't have major issues.