What makes you ineligible for unemployment benefits in Washington - need clarification

There are several main categories that make you ineligible for Washington ESD unemployment benefits. First, you need sufficient work history - you must have worked in at least two quarters during your base period and earned a minimum amount. Second, you must be unemployed through no fault of your own - if you quit without good cause or were fired for misconduct, you'll be disqualified. Third, you must be able and available for work, actively seeking employment, and meet weekly job search requirements.

I went through this whole process last year. Besides what was mentioned, you can also be ineligible if you're not a U.S. citizen or authorized to work, if you're receiving certain other benefits like workers comp, or if you refuse suitable work without good cause. Washington ESD is pretty strict about the job search requirements too - you need to make at least 3 job contacts per week.

The hardest part is actually getting through to Washington ESD to get clarification on why you were denied. I spent weeks trying to call them about my ineligibility determination. Finally found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through - they have this system that calls for you and gets you connected to an actual person. Check out claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Made all the difference in getting my appeal sorted out.

Don't forget about the earnings requirements! You need to have earned at least $5,265 during your base period, with at least $1,755 in your highest quarter. A lot of part-time workers get tripped up by this one. Also, if you're a student enrolled more than half-time, you might be ineligible unless you meet specific exceptions.

UGH the Washington ESD system is so frustrating!! They make it seem like EVERYTHING makes you ineligible. I got denied because I supposedly 'voluntarily left' my job even though I was basically forced out due to a hostile work environment. The appeal process is a nightmare too.

Another big one that trips people up is the 'able and available' requirement. If you have any restrictions on when you can work, what type of work you'll accept, or where you're willing to work, Washington ESD might find you ineligible. This includes things like only wanting remote work or refusing to work weekends.

I was ineligible for the first few weeks of my claim because I was on vacation when I filed. Even though I got laid off before the vacation, Washington ESD said I wasn't available for work during those travel dates. Had to wait until I got back to start receiving benefits.

If you're getting severance pay or certain pension payments, that can also affect your eligibility. Washington ESD will reduce or deny benefits during weeks when you're receiving those payments, depending on the amount.

Criminal background can also be an issue in some cases, especially if you're in jail or prison. Washington ESD won't pay benefits while you're incarcerated. Also, if you owe money for previous overpayments, they might offset your new benefits.

Immigration status is another factor. You need to be legally authorized to work in the U.S. Washington ESD will verify this, and if you can't provide proper documentation, you'll be denied benefits.

Refusing suitable work is a big one that people don't realize can disqualify them later in their claim. After a certain number of weeks on benefits, Washington ESD expects you to accept jobs that pay less than your previous job. The definition of 'suitable' gets broader over time.

Medical issues can make you ineligible too if they prevent you from working. If you're unable to work due to illness or injury, you should apply for disability benefits instead of unemployment. Washington ESD requires that you be physically able to work.

Independent contractors and self-employed people often get confused about eligibility. You need to have been an employee paying into the unemployment system to qualify for regular benefits. If you were a 1099 contractor, you're generally not eligible unless you also had W-2 employment.

The job search requirements can also make you ineligible if you don't follow them properly. You need to keep detailed records of your job search activities and be able to provide them if Washington ESD asks. Just applying online isn't enough - you need to make genuine contacts.

One thing that caught me off guard was that having your own business can affect eligibility. Even if your business isn't making money, Washington ESD might consider you self-employed rather than unemployed. You need to be careful about how you report any business activities.

Military service members have different rules. If you're recently separated from the military, you might need to meet different eligibility criteria. There are special programs for veterans, but the basic work and wage requirements still apply.

School district employees often face seasonal ineligibility issues. If you work for a school and have reasonable assurance of returning to work the next school year, you might be denied benefits during summer break or other school holidays.

Just want to add that if you're struggling to get through to Washington ESD to understand your specific ineligibility issues, that Claimyr service mentioned earlier really does work. I used it when I was trying to figure out why my claim was stuck in adjudication for weeks. Being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD made all the difference in getting my issues resolved.

Bottom line - Washington ESD has gotten stricter over the years about eligibility requirements. They're looking for any reason to deny claims to save money. Make sure you understand all the rules before filing, keep detailed records of everything, and don't be afraid to appeal if you think they made a mistake.

Another important eligibility issue that hasn't been mentioned much is drug testing. If you're fired for failing a drug test at work, Washington ESD will likely deny your benefits for misconduct. Also, if you're participating in certain state or federal programs that require drug testing and you fail or refuse to take the test, that can affect your unemployment eligibility too. I learned this the hard way when helping my cousin with his claim - he thought his medical marijuana card would protect him, but Washington ESD didn't see it that way for his particular job situation.