What reasons can you be denied unemployment in Washington state?

The main reasons Washington ESD denies unemployment claims fall into a few categories: 1) Quit without good cause 2) Fired for misconduct 3) Not available/able to work 4) Not actively seeking work 5) Refusing suitable work. Your situation sounds like it could go either way - if they documented the attendance issues as misconduct vs. if the layoff was legitimate due to restructuring.

Don't overthink it too much - just file the claim and let Washington ESD sort it out. The worst that happens is they deny it and you can appeal. I got denied initially for 'job abandonment' even though I gave two weeks notice, but won on appeal.

I had a similar situation last year and found that calling Washington ESD directly was way more helpful than trying to figure it out online. The problem is actually getting through to someone - I must have called 200+ times before connecting. Recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to ESD agents faster. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to discuss your specific situation with someone at ESD.

Here's the full breakdown of Washington ESD disqualification reasons: Voluntary quit (unless good cause like unsafe conditions, harassment, etc.), Discharge for misconduct (gross misconduct = permanent bar, regular misconduct = temporary), Not able/available (illness, childcare issues, etc.), Inadequate job search, Refusing suitable work offers, Fraud/false statements, Not earning enough in base period, Working while claiming benefits without reporting. Each has different rules and some can be overcome.

honestly the whole system is designed to deny people. they'll find any excuse - i got denied because i didn't apply to enough jobs one week even though i was sick with covid and couldnt barely get out of bed. had to appeal and prove i was sick just to get that one week approved. its ridiculous

Just went through this whole process. Got initially denied for 'voluntary quit' even though I was constructively discharged (forced to quit due to hostile work environment). The key is having documentation. Save emails, texts, witness statements, anything that proves your side of the story.

Another thing to watch out for - they can deny you for working part-time while claiming if you don't report it correctly. Even if you make very little, you have to report ALL earnings or they'll call it fraud.

The job search requirement is another big one. You need to keep a detailed log and they can audit it anytime. I know someone who got denied retroactively because their job search log wasn't detailed enough during a review.

One more thought - if you do get denied, don't give up. I've seen people win appeals even in cases that seemed hopeless. The initial determination is often wrong because they don't have all the facts. That's another reason why being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD is so valuable for explaining your situation.

Base period earnings is another denial reason people forget about. You need to have earned enough wages in your base year, and it has to be from covered employment. Some jobs don't pay into the unemployment system.

Going back to your original situation - if the company said it was a layoff due to restructuring, they should have documentation of that decision. The attendance issues might be irrelevant if the layoff was legitimate. I'd file the claim and see what happens.

Pro tip: if you get denied, read the determination letter VERY carefully. It will tell you exactly why you were denied and what evidence they used. This helps you know what to focus on in your appeal.

Also remember that some denials are temporary vs permanent. Misconduct usually makes you ineligible for a certain number of weeks, while gross misconduct can be a permanent bar. Quitting without good cause is typically temporary too.

Whatever you do, don't lie on your application. Washington ESD cross-checks everything and fraud charges are serious. Better to be upfront about potential issues and let them make the determination.

The able and available requirement trips up a lot of people too. You have to be physically able to work, available for full-time work (unless you're approved for part-time), and actively seeking employment. Can't be on vacation, in school full-time, or have other commitments that prevent you from working.

Final thought - if you're really unsure about your eligibility, consider using that Claimyr service I mentioned to get through to Washington ESD and ask about your specific situation before filing. Sometimes it's better to get clarity upfront rather than deal with appeals later.

Don't forget about the work search requirement! You typically need to make 3 job contacts per week and keep detailed records. Failing to meet this requirement is an easy way to get benefits denied.

One thing I learned the hard way - if you have any side income like rental property, investment income, or pension payments, you need to report those too. They can affect your benefit amount or eligibility.

Bottom line - most denials can be appealed successfully if you have the facts on your side. Don't let fear of denial stop you from filing if you think you might be eligible. The system is complicated but it's designed to help unemployed workers, even if it doesn't always feel that way.

Good luck with your claim filing! Based on everything discussed here, it sounds like you have a reasonable case since they stated it was a layoff due to restructuring. Just make sure to be completely honest about everything, keep detailed records of your job search activities from the start, and don't panic if you get an initial denial - the appeal process exists for a reason. The fact that you're being proactive and researching this beforehand shows you're taking it seriously, which will help you in the long run.

I went through a similar situation last year where I had some performance issues but was ultimately laid off due to "budget cuts." What really helped me was gathering any documentation that supported the employer's stated reason for the layoff - things like company-wide emails about restructuring, news articles about the company's financial situation, or even just the official termination letter that cited layoff as the reason. Washington ESD will contact your former employer to verify their story, so if they consistently told you it was a layoff due to restructuring, that should work in your favor. The attendance issues might be a red herring if they weren't the official reason for your separation. Just be prepared to explain the timeline clearly if asked.