What reasons can you be denied unemployment in Washington State?

What exactly counts as 'misconduct' though? Is being late a few times considered misconduct?

Misconduct has to be willful or deliberate. Being late occasionally usually isn't enough unless it's a pattern and you were warned. Things like stealing, fighting, drug use at work, or deliberately not following safety rules are clear misconduct.

How do they calculate the base year? Is it the last 12 months before you file?

No, it's the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you apply. So if you file in March 2025, your base year would be October 2023 through September 2024.

How much does that cost? I'm already stressed about money.

It's worth it if you need real answers about your claim. Much better than calling 800 numbers over and over getting busy signals.

What about if you're taking online classes part time? Would that disqualify you?

Part time is usually okay as long as it doesn't interfere with your ability to work. Full time school makes you unavailable for work in their eyes.

I was taking 2 classes and had no problems with my claim. Just had to explain it during the phone interview.

So if I get sick for a week I lose my whole claim?

No you just don't get paid for that week. You mark yourself as not available on your weekly claim. But if you're not available for too many weeks they might question if you're really looking for work.

This is confusing - I thought if you were sick you could still get unemployment?

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs?

Applying for jobs, networking, going to job fairs, creating/updating your resume, using WorkSourceWA services, interviewing. You need to document everything with dates and contact info.

I got audited and barely had enough documentation. Keep detailed records from day one!

What kind of identity verification do they require?

Usually they want to see your driver's license or state ID and Social Security card. Sometimes they ask for additional documents if there are questions about your identity.

You can quit for 'good cause' and still get benefits. Things like harassment, unsafe working conditions, significant changes to your job, or domestic violence situations can be good cause. But you usually need to try to resolve the issue first.

how do you prove harassment though? i didn't think to document everything when it was happening

Any documentation helps - emails, texts, witness statements, HR complaints, medical records if it affected your health. Even if you don't have much, you can still appeal if you're denied.

What if you quit because you got a better job offer but then that job fell through?

That's tricky. You'd have to show that the new job was a definite offer and something happened beyond your control. It's case by case.

Is Claimyr legit? I'm always skeptical of these third party services.

Yeah it's real. They just help you get through the phone queue faster. You still talk to actual Washington ESD agents, not Claimyr people.

When do you have to register with WorkSourceWA? Is it right away?

You're supposed to register within your first week of filing, and definitely before your first weekly claim. It's part of being 'available for work.

I forgot to do this and got a scary letter but they gave me a chance to fix it. Don't panic if you missed it, just do it ASAP.

What about National Guard or Reserve duty? Does that affect anything?

Reserve duty shouldn't disqualify you but you need to report any military pay you receive. It might reduce your weekly benefit amount.

How much lower can the pay be before it's not considered suitable?

Generally it starts at 80% of your previous wage and goes down from there. But there are exceptions for things like commute distance and working conditions.

I turned down a job that paid half what I used to make and they said it was suitable after 12 weeks. Had to appeal it.

Independent contractors usually can't get regular unemployment benefits because they don't pay into the system. You'd need to look into other programs or prove you were misclassified as an independent contractor when you should have been an employee.

oh that makes sense. i was wondering why my 1099 work didn't count toward my wages

What if you make an honest mistake on your application? Is that considered fraud?

Honest mistakes usually aren't fraud if you correct them when discovered. Fraud is when you deliberately lie or hide information. But always be as accurate as possible from the start.

If you realize you made a mistake, report it to Washington ESD immediately. It's much better to fix it yourself than have them find it later.

So you never get paid for that first week even if everything goes smoothly?

Right, the waiting week is unpaid. It's just how the system works. You start getting paid from your second week if you're eligible.

That's good to know. I was worried about that.

Yeah, as long as you're doing your job search activities and are able and available, age shouldn't matter for unemployment eligibility.

This has been really helpful. I think I understand the main reasons now. Thanks everyone for taking the time to explain all this.

Good luck with your claim! The system seems scary at first but once you understand it, it's not that bad.

What about substitute teachers? Do they have the same restrictions?

It depends on how much you work and whether you have a reasonable assurance of returning to work. It's complicated for education workers.

They can take unemployment money for child support? I didn't know that.

yeah they can garnish up to 50% i think. it doesn't disqualify you but it reduces your payment