What happens at WorkSource reemployment appointment? Just got mandatory requirement letter
I checked my mail today and got this official letter from ESD saying I have to attend a mandatory reemployment appointment at the local WorkSource office next Tuesday. The letter says I'll be disqualified from benefits if I don't show up! I've been claiming for about 6 weeks and this is the first I've heard about any mandatory meetings. Has anyone gone through one of these appointments recently? What should I expect? Do they try to pressure you into taking the first job available? I'm in healthcare and really need to find something in my field. Kinda nervous about this whole thing tbh.
33 comments


Harper Collins
I went to one last month. It's part of the RESEA program (Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment). Basically, they verify your eligibility and help with your job search. The appointment takes about 2 hours. You'll need to bring: - Photo ID - Your resume (if you have one) - Your job search log showing your activities - The letter they sent you They'll review your job search activities, help improve your resume, and set you up in their system. You might have to do a skills assessment. They don't force you to take any specific job, but they will want to see you're actively searching within your field and might suggest expanding your search parameters if you've been unemployed for a while.
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Donna Cline
•Thanks so much for the detailed info! I was worried they'd make me take any random job. I've been keeping good records of my job search activities so that's a relief. Did they ask a lot of questions about why you left your previous job?
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Kelsey Hawkins
OMG i had one of these and completly FORGOT to go!!! Got my benefits cut off for 8 weeks and had to file an appeal. Don't be like me lol. Put it on your calander!!!!!
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Donna Cline
•Oh no! That sounds awful. I already set three reminders on my phone. Did your appeal work out?
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Kelsey Hawkins
•eventually yeah but it took forever and I had to prove I had a "good cause" for missing it. which i didnt really have except being disorganized lol
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Dylan Fisher
These meetings aren't bad at all. It's actually pretty helpful if you approach it with the right mindset. They helped me improve my resume and showed me some job boards specific to my industry I didn't know about. Make sure your job search log is up to date with at least 3 activities per week - they WILL check it. It doesn't have to be just applications. Networking events, informational interviews, and skills workshops all count too. Also, if you're in healthcare, mention that specifically. They usually have specialized career counselors for different industries.
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Edwards Hugo
•They were NOT helpful when I went. The guy kept pushing me to apply for jobs that were way below my skillset and told me I was being too picky. Complete waste of time.
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Dylan Fisher
•That's too bad. I guess it depends on which office you go to and who you get assigned to. My counselor was really supportive and understood I needed to find something in my field that matched my experience level.
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Gianna Scott
This is just the state's way of pushing people off unemployment faster. They'll tell you they're "helping" but it's really about checking boxes and pressuring you to take any job available. When I went, they barely looked at my qualifications and just handed me a stack of job printouts for positions I was completely overqualified for. Bring your job search log and make sure it's PERFECT because they're looking for any reason to disqualify you. If you're missing dates, contact information, or application methods, they'll flag it.
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Harper Collins
•While I understand your frustration, in my experience they genuinely do try to help. Yes, they're checking compliance, but the resources they provide can be valuable. Most WorkSource staff I've interacted with want to see people succeed, not just get them off unemployment.
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Alfredo Lugo
I had such a tough time getting through to ESD about this exact same issue last month! I kept calling to reschedule my WorkSource appointment because of a conflict and couldn't get anyone on the phone for days. Eventually I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending hours redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 As for the actual appointment, it was fine. They reviewed my job search activities, helped me set up an account on WorkSourceWA.com, and gave me some workshops I could attend. You just need to show you're making an effort.
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Donna Cline
•Thanks for the tip about Claimyr. If I have any issues I might check that out. I'm glad to hear the appointment wasn't too intimidating. Did you have to do any kind of skills assessment test while you were there?
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Alfredo Lugo
•Yes, they had me take a basic skills assessment on the computer that took about 30 minutes. It was pretty straightforward - typing test, basic math, reading comprehension, that sort of thing. Nothing to stress about, especially if you're from a healthcare background.
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Sydney Torres
i just went to mine last week its pretty chill tbh they mostly want to make sure ur actually looking for work also the ppl at my worksource were actually super nice and helpful. showed me how to use their job search database better and gave me info on some free training programs. better than i expected
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Donna Cline
•That's reassuring! I've been seriously looking for work but was worried they'd try to push me into taking jobs outside my field. Glad to hear they were helpful.
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Edwards Hugo
I'm a nurse and had to do one of these in January. Since you mentioned healthcare, make sure to ask if they have any healthcare-specific resources. My WorkSource had connections with several hospitals that weren't posting all their openings publicly. The career counselor put me in touch with a recruiter directly. Bring multiple copies of your resume. They'll probably have you apply for a few positions while you're there. And dress professionally - they sometimes set up interviews on the spot with employers who work with their office.
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Gianna Scott
•Multiple copies of resume? On-the-spot interviews? That wasn't my experience at all. Must depend on which WorkSource office you go to. Mine was just a bunch of paperwork and computer assessments.
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Dylan Fisher
One important thing nobody mentioned - if you absolutely cannot make the scheduled appointment, call them BEFORE the appointment to reschedule. If you miss it without prior notification, that's when they'll disqualify your benefits. Also, the RESEA program can actually include up to 3 required appointments over time, not just one. They'll tell you at the end of your first appointment if you need to come back for follow-ups.
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Donna Cline
•Wait, there could be multiple required appointments? The letter only mentioned this one. Is that new for 2025? I definitely want to stay in compliance with everything.
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Dylan Fisher
•It depends on their assessment of your situation. Some people only need one appointment, others get assigned to the full program with follow-ups. They'll tell you the plan at the end of your first appointment. Just keep all the paperwork they give you and follow their instructions exactly.
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Henry Delgado
I just had my RESEA appointment two weeks ago and it was actually pretty straightforward! Since you're in healthcare, definitely mention that right away - they have specific resources for medical professionals. My appointment lasted about 90 minutes and they were really understanding about wanting to stay in my field. They didn't pressure me to take anything outside healthcare at all. The counselor actually helped me identify some certifications I could get online that would make me more competitive. One tip: bring a printed list of all your job search activities from the past few weeks with dates and details. They'll enter it into their system and it speeds things up. Also, they'll probably set you up with WorkSourceWA.com if you haven't already - it's actually a decent job board. Don't stress too much about it! As long as you're genuinely looking for work and can show your efforts, you'll be fine. Good luck on Tuesday!
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Lucy Lam
•Thanks Henry! That's really helpful to know they have healthcare-specific resources. I'm actually a medical assistant so getting info about relevant certifications sounds great. I've been keeping detailed records of my job search so I should be good there. It's reassuring to hear from someone who just went through it recently. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience!
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Luis Johnson
I had my RESEA appointment about a month ago and wanted to share some practical tips since you mentioned being nervous! First, definitely arrive 10-15 minutes early - they usually have you fill out some paperwork before the actual appointment starts. The staff at my WorkSource office were genuinely helpful and not intimidating at all. Since you're in healthcare, ask specifically about their healthcare sector partnerships - many WorkSource offices have direct relationships with local hospitals and clinics that post exclusive openings there. One thing that really helped me was organizing my job search log by week before I went. They want to see consistent activity, so having it clearly laid out made the review process much smoother. Also, if you've done any online training, professional development, or networking events related to healthcare, make sure to include those in your activity log - they count toward your job search requirements. The whole process is really about showing you're actively engaged in finding work, not about forcing you into the wrong job. You've got this! Let us know how it goes on Tuesday.
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Jeremiah Brown
•Thanks Luis! This is exactly the kind of practical advice I was looking for. I'm definitely going to organize my job search log by week like you suggested - that's a great idea. I've been doing some online continuing education courses for medical assistants, so it's good to know those count toward the requirements. I was worried they'd only care about actual job applications. Really appreciate everyone's help here - feeling much more confident about Tuesday now!
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Daniel Washington
Just wanted to add that if you have any healthcare licenses or certifications, bring copies of those with you too! I'm a CNA and when I went to my RESEA appointment last month, they were able to help me identify which local facilities were actively hiring for my certification level. Also, don't worry about being "grilled" - they're really just trying to verify that you're eligible and actively searching. The whole thing felt more like a helpful career counseling session than an interrogation. They even gave me a folder with local healthcare job fair dates and info about free resume workshops. One last thing - if you use any job search apps like Indeed or LinkedIn, screenshot your recent activity before you go. Sometimes it's easier to show them your search history that way rather than trying to remember every application you submitted. You're going to do great!
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Ava Garcia
•This is such great advice Daniel! I hadn't thought about bringing copies of my certifications - I'm certified as a medical assistant so that's definitely relevant. The screenshot idea for job search apps is really smart too. I use Indeed and LinkedIn pretty regularly so I'll grab some screenshots of my recent activity. It's so reassuring to hear from multiple people that it's more like career counseling than an interrogation. I was really overthinking this whole thing! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.
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Kaitlyn Otto
Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this process recently! I had my RESEA appointment about 3 weeks ago and it was honestly much less stressful than I expected. Since you mentioned you're in healthcare, definitely emphasize that from the start - they seem to have good connections with medical facilities in the area. My counselor was really knowledgeable about different healthcare career paths and even helped me identify some positions I hadn't considered before. A few practical tips: Make sure your job search log includes specific details like company names, position titles, and how you applied (online, in person, etc.). They're pretty thorough about reviewing it but not in a "gotcha" way - more like they want to help you be more strategic about your search. Also, wear something professional but comfortable since you might be there for a couple hours between paperwork, the interview portion, and any assessments. And definitely ask about their workshop schedule - they often have free sessions on interview skills, networking, etc. that can be really helpful. You're going to do fine! The fact that you're asking for advice and preparing ahead of time shows you're taking it seriously, which is exactly what they want to see. Good luck on Tuesday!
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Dylan Mitchell
•Thanks Kaitlyn! Your advice is really helpful, especially about emphasizing healthcare from the start. I'm feeling so much better about this after reading everyone's experiences here. I've been worried for nothing! I'll definitely ask about their workshop schedule too - free interview skills sessions sound really valuable. It's great to know they actually want to help rather than just check boxes. I really appreciate you and everyone else taking the time to share your experiences. This community is amazing!
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Liam O'Reilly
I just wanted to add my experience since I had my RESEA appointment last week! I was super anxious beforehand too, but honestly it turned out to be one of the most helpful things that's happened during my unemployment period. Since you're in healthcare, definitely mention that right away - they had specialized resources I didn't even know existed. My counselor helped me identify some healthcare staffing agencies that weren't on my radar and even gave me contact info for their healthcare recruiter who visits the office monthly. One thing I wish I'd known beforehand: they might ask you to create accounts on their recommended job sites during the appointment, so having your personal info (references, work history dates, etc.) easily accessible on your phone or in a folder will save time. The whole experience was way more supportive than I expected. Instead of feeling like I was being monitored, it felt like having a career coach who genuinely wanted to help me succeed. They even followed up with me via email a few days later with additional resources specific to my field. You're going to do great! The fact that you're prepared and taking it seriously is exactly the right attitude. Let us know how it goes!
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Maya Lewis
•Thanks Liam! This is so helpful to hear from someone who just went through it. I love that they actually followed up with you afterwards - that really shows they care about helping people succeed rather than just going through the motions. The tip about having all my personal info ready for creating accounts is great - I'll definitely put together a folder with all my work history dates and references before I go. It's amazing how much more confident I feel after reading everyone's experiences here. Really appreciate you sharing!
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Asher Levin
I just had my RESEA appointment yesterday and wanted to share since you're going next week! I was really nervous too, especially after reading some mixed experiences online, but it ended up being totally fine. The healthcare focus is definitely a plus - make sure to mention that early in the conversation. They had a whole section of resources specifically for medical professionals that I didn't know about. My counselor was really understanding about wanting to stay in my field and didn't push me toward anything outside healthcare at all. One thing that really helped was bringing my job search activities organized by date in a simple list format. They enter everything into their computer system during the appointment, so having it clear and easy to read sped things up a lot. Also, if you've been doing any online courses or certifications (even free ones), definitely include those - they count as valid job search activities. The whole thing took about 2 hours including some computer assessments, but the time went by pretty quickly. The staff were genuinely helpful and it felt more like getting career advice than being evaluated. They even gave me some tips on healthcare job boards I hadn't been using. You'll do great! Just be honest about your job search efforts and don't stress too much about it. Good luck on Tuesday!
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Isabella Ferreira
•Thanks Asher! It's so reassuring to hear from someone who literally just went through this yesterday. I'm feeling much more confident now after reading everyone's experiences here. The tip about organizing job search activities by date is really helpful - I'll definitely do that this weekend. It's great to know they're understanding about wanting to stay in healthcare and that they have specialized resources. I was worried they'd pressure me to apply for random jobs outside my field. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience so quickly after your appointment!
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Aria Khan
I had my RESEA appointment about two months ago and wanted to share my experience since you're going next Tuesday! I was in a similar situation - got the letter and immediately panicked about what to expect. The good news is it's really not as scary as it seems. Since you mentioned you're in healthcare, definitely lead with that when you introduce yourself. They have specific resources and connections for medical professionals that can be really valuable. My counselor was able to connect me with a few healthcare recruiters in the area that I hadn't found on my own. Make sure your job search log is detailed and up to date - they'll review it carefully but it's more to help you strategize than to catch you doing something wrong. Include everything: applications, networking events, online courses, even informational interviews if you've done any. They count it all. The appointment itself was about 1.5-2 hours and included reviewing my eligibility, going over my job search activities, updating my resume, and doing a basic skills assessment on the computer. Nothing too difficult, just want to see where your skills are at. One thing I really appreciated was that they didn't pressure me to take jobs outside my field at all. They understood that healthcare professionals have specific qualifications and experience that shouldn't be wasted on unrelated work. You'll be fine! Just be prepared, be honest about your job search efforts, and don't be afraid to ask questions about resources they have available. Good luck!
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