What would disqualify from unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

There are several main categories for disqualification from Washington ESD unemployment benefits. The big ones are: quitting without good cause, being fired for misconduct, refusing suitable work, not being able and available, and not actively seeking work. Misconduct includes things like violating company policy, excessive tardiness, insubordination, or dishonesty.

Thanks! What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? My friend quit because their boss was being really unreasonable.

Good cause has to be something that would make a reasonable person quit - like unsafe working conditions, harassment, significant changes to job duties, or constructive discharge situations. Just having a difficult boss usually isn't enough unless it rises to harassment or creates unsafe conditions.

Don't forget about the work search requirements! If you don't do your required job searches each week or don't register with WorkSource, that's an automatic disqualification. Also if you're not physically able to work or not available for full-time work, Washington ESD will deny benefits.

How many job searches do you have to do each week? I keep hearing different numbers.

It's 3 job search activities per week for most people, but can be reduced to 1 if you're in certain training programs or union hiring halls. You have to keep a log of all your searches too.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about my disqualification but their phone lines are always busy. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there? This is so frustrating!

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents - they handle all the calling and waiting for you. Check out claimyr.com, they even have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Really? That sounds too good to be true. How does it actually work?

You just tell them what you need help with and they call Washington ESD for you. When they get an agent on the line, they conference you in. Way better than sitting on hold for hours only to get disconnected.

Another big disqualifier is if you don't report income correctly on your weekly claims. Even if you just forget to report a few hours of part-time work, Washington ESD can disqualify you for providing false information. They're really strict about this stuff.

What if you honestly forgot to report something? Do they give you a chance to explain?

You can appeal any disqualification, but it's better to be accurate from the start. If it's clearly an honest mistake and you report it as soon as you realize, they might be more lenient.

I got disqualified once for refusing a job offer. But the job was like 50 miles away and paid way less than my previous job. I thought that was unreasonable but Washington ESD said it was 'suitable work' anyway.

The suitable work rules are tricky. Generally after the first few weeks you have to accept work that pays at least 70% of your previous wage and is within reasonable commuting distance. 50 miles might be too far depending on your situation.

I should have appealed it. Lesson learned I guess.

what about if you get fired for attendance issues? my coworker was always late and finally got terminated

Attendance issues can definitely be misconduct if it's a pattern of behavior after warnings. But if there were legitimate reasons like transportation problems or medical issues, it might not disqualify them.

nah she was just always late because of staying up too late. probably misconduct then

This is all really helpful. Are there any other less obvious things that could disqualify someone? I want to make sure I don't accidentally mess up my benefits.

Being out of state without notifying Washington ESD can disqualify you temporarily. Also if you're receiving other benefits like workers comp, that might affect your unemployment. And obviously things like being in jail or not being legally authorized to work.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Well, actually Washington eliminated the waiting week a few years ago, but some people still think you have to wait.

Update: I tried that Claimyr service and it actually worked! Got through to a Washington ESD agent in like 20 minutes instead of calling for days. Turns out my disqualification was a mistake in their system.

That's great! How much did it cost?

I'd rather not say the exact amount but it was totally worth it considering how much time and stress it saved me. Plus I got my benefits back.

The Washington ESD system is just broken. I know people who got disqualified for the dumbest reasons while others who should be disqualified keep getting benefits. Makes no sense.

I feel you. The inconsistency is really frustrating.

That's why it's important to understand the rules and appeal when you think a decision is wrong. The system isn't perfect but there are processes to challenge incorrect decisions.

Can you get disqualified for going to school? I'm thinking about taking some classes while I'm unemployed.

Generally you can go to school as long as you're still able and available for work. But if your class schedule prevents you from accepting suitable work, that could be a problem. Some training programs are actually encouraged by Washington ESD.

Good to know, thanks! I'll make sure my schedule still allows for full-time work.

I got disqualified for quitting but I'm pretty sure I had good cause. My employer was asking me to do things that weren't in my job description and when I complained they started retaliating against me. How do I prove this in an appeal?

Document everything! Emails, text messages, witness statements, anything that shows the working conditions that led you to quit. The more evidence you have, the better your chances in an appeal hearing.

I wish I had kept better records. I do have a few emails though.

Does anyone know if you can be disqualified for working under the table while claiming benefits? Asking for a friend obviously...

Yes, that's fraud and can result in permanent disqualification plus having to pay back all benefits received. Always report all work and income, even cash jobs.

Tell your 'friend' it's not worth the risk. Washington ESD has ways of finding out about unreported income.

The drug testing thing is confusing me. Do they randomly test unemployment recipients or only in certain situations?

In Washington, drug testing for unemployment benefits is limited to people applying for jobs that require drug testing. It's not random testing of all claimants like some other states do.

That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying!

I'm on standby status with my union. Does that change any of the disqualification rules?

Standby status has some different rules. You don't have to do the usual job search requirements, but you still have to be able and available for work through your union. If you refuse a suitable referral from your union, that could disqualify you.

Good to know. I'll make sure to stay available for any union calls.

What about medical issues? If you can't work because of health problems, does that disqualify you from unemployment?

If you're unable to work due to medical issues, you generally can't receive unemployment benefits because you have to be able and available for work. But there might be other benefits available like disability or medical leave programs.

Sometimes you can get unemployment if you're able to do some types of work even with medical restrictions. It depends on your specific situation.

The whole system seems designed to deny people benefits. I know the rules are there for a reason but it feels like they're looking for any excuse to disqualify you.

I understand the frustration, but the requirements are there to ensure benefits go to people who are genuinely unemployed through no fault of their own and are actively seeking work. The key is understanding the rules and following them correctly.

True, but sometimes the way they apply the rules seems really harsh for honest mistakes.

I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it was a game changer. Finally got to talk to someone at Washington ESD about my disqualification issue. Turns out there was missing information in my file that was causing the problem.

Seems like a lot of people are having success with that service. Might be worth trying if you can't get through on your own.

I'm still skeptical about paying for something that should be free, but if it works...

Bottom line is you need to be honest on all your claims, actively look for work, be available to work, and not quit or get fired for bad reasons. Most disqualifications come from people not following these basic requirements.

This thread has been really helpful. I feel like I have a much better understanding of what to avoid now. Thanks everyone!

Glad it helped! The more you know about the rules, the better you can protect your benefits.