What does disqualified week mean on Washington ESD unemployment claim?

A disqualified week means Washington ESD determined you weren't eligible for benefits during that specific week. Common reasons include not being able and available for work, not meeting job search requirements, or earning too much from work. Check your account for any correspondence that explains the specific reason.

this happened to me too last month, turned out I forgot to log one of my job searches that week and they disqualified me for not meeting the requirement

I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about a similar issue but their phone lines are always busy or I get disconnected. It's so frustrating when you need answers about your claim status. I recently found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually helps you get through to ESD agents. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Might be worth checking out if you can't get through on your own.

Disqualified weeks don't automatically mean you did something wrong. Sometimes it's a system error or a misunderstanding about your availability. The key is to get the determination letter that explains the exact reason. You have 30 days from the date of the determination to file an appeal if you disagree with their decision.

THE WASHINGTON ESD SYSTEM IS SO BROKEN!!! They disqualify people for the dumbest reasons and then make it impossible to get through to them to fix it. I've been fighting a disqualification for 6 weeks now and still haven't talked to a human being. This is people's LIVELIHOOD we're talking about!

Common reasons for disqualified weeks include: 1) Not completing required job search activities, 2) Not being available for work during that week, 3) Refusing suitable work, 4) Earning wages that exceed your weekly benefit amount, 5) Not reporting work or wages correctly. Each has different appeal processes and requirements.

same thing happened to my brother, he worked a few hours that week and forgot to report it properly on his weekly claim. They disqualified the whole week instead of just reducing his benefits

Update on the Claimyr service I mentioned - I actually used it yesterday and got through to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. They were able to explain my claim issue and start the process to fix it. Worth the cost to actually talk to someone who can help rather than guessing what went wrong.

I work in HR and see this a lot with our laid-off employees. Most disqualified weeks are due to incomplete job search logs or not being available during the entire week. Washington ESD requires very specific documentation and any gaps can trigger a disqualification.

been there done that with disqualified weeks. usually takes forever to get it sorted out but you absolutely should appeal if you think its wrong. dont let them keep your money if you earned it

Check if you marked yourself as unavailable for work on that weekly claim. I accidentally clicked the wrong box once and got disqualified. Simple mistake but creates a big headache to fix.

The worst part about disqualified weeks is they don't always tell you right away. Sometimes you find out weeks later when you're wondering why your payment was less than expected. Washington ESD really needs to improve their communication.

Pro tip: Always print or screenshot your weekly claim confirmations. If there's ever a dispute about what you reported, having that documentation can save you a lot of trouble during the appeal process.

If it makes you feel any better, disqualified weeks are pretty common and most people get them reversed if they have a legitimate reason. The key is not to panic and follow the proper procedures to contest it.

Another option is to contact your local WorkSource office. They sometimes have direct lines to ESD or can help you understand what went wrong with your claim. Plus they're usually easier to reach than the main ESD phone lines.

Just wanted to follow up - I mentioned Claimyr earlier and wanted to say they were able to get me connected to an ESD specialist who walked me through exactly why my week was disqualified and how to fix it. Sometimes paying for help is worth it when you're stuck in the system.

Make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while you're dealing with the disqualified week. Don't let other weeks get messed up while you're trying to fix this one issue.

Document everything from this point forward - when you called, who you talked to, reference numbers, etc. If this goes to an appeal hearing, having detailed records will help your case significantly.