What reasons can you file for unemployment in Washington ESD?

What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? My boss was making the work environment really hostile but I don't have written proof of harassment.

Good cause includes documented harassment, unsafe conditions, significant changes to job duties, or constructive dismissal. Without documentation it's harder but not impossible - you'd need to be able to prove the hostile environment during adjudication.

How long did it take to get approved? I'm worried about the adjudication process taking forever.

took about 2 weeks for me but i had a simple case. if theres any questions about your separation it could take longer

Wait, I thought standby meant you couldn't look for other work? I'm confused about the job search requirements.

No, you still need to be available for work and meet job search requirements unless specifically exempted. Standby just means you have a definite return date with your current employer.

What if the employer contests your claim? Does that automatically disqualify you?

No, it just means your claim goes to adjudication where Washington ESD investigates both sides. It takes longer but you can still win if you have a valid case.

This is where having a way to actually reach Washington ESD becomes crucial. I struggled for weeks trying to get through to clarify my adjudication status. Finally found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

That's good to know. I had to take care of my sick parent earlier this year and had to leave my job. Wish I had known about this then.

Family medical leave situations can be tricky. Washington ESD looks at whether you exhausted other options like FMLA first. But if you had no choice, it can qualify.

Yes! That's called partial unemployment. You can file if your hours were significantly reduced. You'll still need to report your weekly earnings but you can get partial benefits to make up some of the difference.

oh wow i didnt know that was a thing. do i still have to do job searches if im still working part time?

Yes, you still need to meet the job search requirements unless you're specifically exempted. You're considered partially unemployed, not fully employed.

That's exactly when your claim goes to adjudication. Washington ESD will contact both you and your employer to get statements. They'll look at your work history, any warnings or documentation, and determine if the termination was for misconduct or not.

Keep any documentation you have - emails, employee handbook, witness statements if possible. The burden is on the employer to prove misconduct, not on you to prove innocence.

Do you have to take any job that's offered or can you wait for something in your field?

You have to be available for suitable work. What's suitable depends on your skills, experience, and how long you've been unemployed. Can't just wait for the perfect job indefinitely.

How much do you need to have earned? I was only working part-time for the past year.

It's complicated but generally you need wages in at least 2 quarters of your base period and your total base period wages need to be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter. Check the Washington ESD website for the exact formula.

Generally no, independent contractors don't qualify for regular unemployment benefits. However, if your work arrangements were misclassified and you should have been an employee, you might have a case.

dang that sucks. so gig workers just get screwed?

During the pandemic there was PUA for gig workers but that ended. Some states are working on portable benefits but Washington doesn't have that yet.

It depends on your availability for work. If you're in school full-time and can't work full-time hours, you typically won't qualify. But if you're available for work despite being in school, you might still qualify.

What if it's job training or a program that Washington ESD approved?

If it's Washington ESD approved training, you can maintain eligibility. That's different from regular school enrollment.

Adjudication is when Washington ESD investigates your claim because there's a question about your eligibility. Could be about your separation reason, wages, or availability. It takes 2-6 weeks typically depending on how complex the case is.

Is there any way to speed it up? I really need to know what's happening with my claim.

The hardest part is getting through to Washington ESD to check status. I used Claimyr to get connected to an agent who could actually tell me what was happening with my adjudication. Way better than trying to call repeatedly.

That's really important information. I'm glad Washington has protections for domestic violence survivors.

yeah and you dont always need a restraining order or court docs. other evidence can work too. but definitely document everything you can

Good to know! I didn't realize there were special rules for military families.

Yeah, Washington ESD recognizes that military families face unique challenges with employment due to relocations and deployments.

That's a good point. I've been overthinking this. Better to try and get denied than not try at all.

Exactly! And even if you get denied initially, you can appeal the decision if you think it was wrong.

How does the appeal process work? Is it like a court hearing?

It's an administrative hearing, usually by phone. You present your case to an administrative law judge. Less formal than court but still official.

This is another situation where being able to reach Washington ESD for guidance is crucial. Claimyr helped me understand my appeal options when I was confused about the process.

Really? I worked in Oregon for part of last year. Does that help my Washington claim?

yeah it can. you might need to file in washington but use wages from both states. or file in oregon and transfer to washington. its complicated but possible

When do you have to register with WorkSource? Right away or can you wait?

You should register within your first week of filing for unemployment. It's one of the ongoing eligibility requirements.

Thanks everyone! This has been incredibly helpful. I think I understand enough now to move forward with filing my claim.

Good luck! Remember to keep detailed records of everything and don't be afraid to ask questions if you get stuck in the process.

And if you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD, don't waste hours trying to get through. Claimyr saved me so much time and frustration when I needed answers about my claim.