What reasons can you be denied unemployment - Washington ESD disqualification rules?

There are several main categories for Washington ESD disqualifications: 1) Misconduct at work (getting fired for cause), 2) Quitting without good cause, 3) Not meeting work search requirements, 4) Refusing suitable work, 5) Not being able and available for work, and 6) Issues with wages or work history. The most common ones I see are misconduct and quitting without good cause.

I got denied for 'voluntary quit without good cause' even though my boss was making my life hell. Apparently just having a bad boss isn't good enough cause according to Washington ESD. You need to prove things like harassment, unsafe working conditions, or significant changes to your job duties.

Don't forget about the work search requirements! Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week and you have to keep detailed records. I know people who got disqualified for not doing enough job searches or not keeping proper documentation in their WorkSourceWA account.

Another big one is refusing suitable work. If Washington ESD or WorkSourceWA refers you to a job and you turn it down without good reason, that's an automatic disqualifier. The job has to pay at least 80% of your previous wage or minimum wage, whichever is higher.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to clarify any of these rules or check on a potential disqualification, I recently found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helps people get through to ESD agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Really helpful when you need to talk to someone about your specific situation.

Don't forget about wage issues too! If you didn't earn enough wages in your base period or if there are problems with how your employer reported your wages, that can lead to a denial. Washington ESD needs to verify you have sufficient work history.

Being able and available is another big requirement. If you're not actively looking for work, have restrictions that make it hard to find work, or aren't available for full-time work, they can deny your claim. This includes things like being in school full-time or having medical issues that prevent you from working.

Also watch out for issues with your identity verification. Washington ESD has gotten really strict about this. If they can't verify your identity through their ID.me system, they'll put your claim on hold indefinitely. Make sure all your documents are ready and legible.

One thing that caught me off guard was the overpayment issue. If you receive benefits you weren't entitled to, even if it wasn't your fault, Washington ESD can demand repayment and potentially disqualify you from future benefits until it's paid back.

Don't underestimate the importance of your weekly claims either. If you make errors on your weekly claims - like not reporting work or earnings correctly - that can lead to disqualification. Always be completely honest about any work you do, even if it's just a few hours.

Another reason people get denied is for not participating in required reemployment services. If Washington ESD refers you to WorkSourceWA for services like job search workshops or career counseling, you have to participate or risk losing your benefits.

For anyone dealing with a disqualification or denial, seriously consider using Claimyr to get through to an ESD agent. The regular phone lines are impossible, but having someone who can actually explain your specific situation makes a huge difference in understanding your options.

Criminal background can also be an issue in some cases. If you were terminated due to criminal activity related to your job, that's usually considered misconduct and will disqualify you.

Don't forget about the work availability requirements during certain periods. If you go on vacation or are otherwise unavailable for work during a week, you need to report that on your weekly claim. Being unavailable without reporting it can cause issues.

Immigration status can also affect eligibility. You need to be authorized to work in the US to receive unemployment benefits. Washington ESD will verify this during the application process.

The timing of when you file can also matter. There are deadlines for filing initial claims and appeals. If you wait too long after becoming unemployed, you might miss out on benefits for those weeks.

Labor disputes can also disqualify you. If you're out of work due to a strike or lockout, you generally can't collect unemployment benefits until the dispute is resolved.

School attendance is another potential issue. If you're attending school full-time, Washington ESD might determine you're not available for work. There are some exceptions for approved training programs, but it's complicated.

The bottom line is that Washington ESD has a lot of rules and requirements. When in doubt, it's better to ask questions and get clarification than to guess and risk disqualification. The Claimyr service mentioned earlier is one option, or you can try reaching out through the eServices messaging system, though responses are slow.

One last thing - if you do get denied, don't panic. You have appeal rights and many denials get overturned on appeal if you have good documentation and can explain your situation clearly. The initial determination isn't always the final word.