What would make you ineligible for unemployment in Washington state?

What counts as 'good cause' exactly? My boss has been pretty difficult lately but I'm not sure if that's enough.

Good cause is pretty specific - documented harassment, unsafe working conditions, substantial reduction in hours/pay, or constructive discharge situations. Just having a difficult boss typically won't qualify unless it rises to harassment or creates hostile work environment.

I've been working part-time for about 8 months, probably making around $800/month. Would that be enough?

That might be cutting it close. $800 x 8 months = $6,400 total, but Washington ESD looks at quarters not months. You'd need at least $1,000 in your highest earning quarter AND total base period wages of at least 1.5x that amount.

Is that legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days and keep getting hung up on.

Yeah it's real. Basically they help you get through the phone queue so you can actually talk to someone at Washington ESD. Saved me hours of redialing.

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

Job applications, networking events, career fairs, interviews, creating/updating resumes with professionals, skills assessments. Check WorkSource for the full list.

The job search thing is what got me in trouble. I thought just browsing job sites counted but you actually have to apply or do something concrete.

What if you get fired for poor performance but not misconduct?

Poor performance alone usually doesn't disqualify you unless it's willful. If you were trying but just couldn't meet expectations, that's different from deliberately not doing your job.

My company owes me about 2 weeks of unused vacation time. Would that delay my claim?

Possibly. Vacation pay can create a waiting period depending on how it's paid out. You'll need to report it when you file your claim.

I'm taking evening classes while working. Would that be a problem?

Part-time evening classes usually aren't an issue as long as they don't interfere with your ability to work full-time. It's full-time student status that typically causes problems.

How do they define suitable work? Can I refuse a job that pays way less than what I was making?

Early in your claim, suitable work is closer to your previous job/wage. After several weeks, the definition expands and you might have to accept lower-paying work in your general skill area.

I'm on a work visa. Does that affect anything?

As long as your work authorization is valid and you meet all other requirements, visa status shouldn't disqualify you. But you'll need to provide documentation.

Did they charge you for that?

They have different options but honestly it was worth it to finally talk to a real person instead of getting hung up on every time I called.

What if you have childcare issues? Does that affect availability?

Childcare issues can affect availability, but Washington has some provisions for parents. You might still qualify if you're actively seeking work within your available hours.

I might pick up some freelance work while job searching. Should I be worried about that?

You have to report ALL income when you file your weekly claims. There's an earnings deduction formula, but if you earn too much in a week, you won't get benefits for that week.

Good to know! I'm 58 and was worried about that.

How long did it take them to get you connected?

Way faster than trying to call myself. Check out their demo video to see how it works - https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ

Really? I thought any criminal record would disqualify you.

Nope, that's a common misconception. Washington ESD looks at whether you can work and meet the other requirements, not your criminal history in most cases.

Totally agree! The handbook is like 50 pages of legal jargon.

This thread has been super helpful though. Way more clear than anything on the Washington ESD website.