Why do jobs ask if you receive unemployment - Washington ESD claim impact on hiring?

That makes sense about the tax stuff. I was paranoid they were trying to weed out people on benefits.

Yeah, some states have Work Opportunity Tax Credits for hiring people who've been on unemployment for a certain period. It's actually a plus for employers.

Do I need to tell Washington ESD right away when I get hired or can I wait until my next weekly claim?

You should report it on your next weekly claim filing. Just make sure you accurately report your first day of work and any wages earned.

I had an issue with this last year - took a temp job but didn't report it properly to Washington ESD and ended up with an overpayment notice. Be careful with the reporting!

That's a good point. I was always worried about the stigma but maybe I'm overthinking it.

Exactly! And if an employer has a problem with someone legitimately using unemployment benefits, that's probably not somewhere you want to work anyway.

YES! I've been trying to call them for weeks about an issue with my job search log. The phone lines are always busy or I get disconnected.

Same here. I found this service called Claimyr that actually helps you get through to Washington ESD agents - they handle 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.

Interesting, never heard of that. Does it actually work? I'm desperate at this point.

Yeah it worked for me. Got connected to an agent within a few hours instead of spending days trying to call myself.

That's a perspective I hadn't considered. I've been on Washington ESD for about 8 weeks now so hopefully that shows I'm ready to get back to working.

Eight weeks is pretty normal for job searching in this market. Don't worry about it.

Good point. Washington state has some specific rules about suitable work and refusing job offers while on unemployment. Employers want to make sure they're offering something that meets those criteria.

What counts as suitable work? I've been wondering if I can turn down jobs that pay way less than my previous position.

Generally, suitable work considers your skills, experience, and what you were earning before. But the requirements can get stricter the longer you're on benefits. Check with Washington ESD for your specific situation.

You're probably right. I tend to overthink these things when I'm job searching.

Job searching while on unemployment is stressful enough without worrying about every little question on applications!

That makes total sense! I am available to start right away which could be an advantage.

Exactly! Plus it helps us understand your situation better so we can work with your schedule for interviews and onboarding.

Never thought about it from the employer's scheduling perspective. Good insight.

Thanks, I needed to hear that. Sometimes it feels like there's a stigma but you're right - I paid into this system.

Absolutely! Unemployment insurance exists for exactly this reason. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about using it.

Good point. What if I take a temporary or contract position? How does that work with weekly claims?

You can sometimes continue filing weekly claims if you're working part-time or temporary, but you have to report all wages. Washington ESD will calculate if you're still eligible for partial benefits.

Yeah, and make sure you keep good records of your hours and wages. Washington ESD is pretty strict about accurate reporting.

That does seem unusual. They shouldn't need documentation of your unemployment status unless there's some specific hiring program involved.

That's what I thought. I ended up not pursuing that opportunity because it felt invasive.

You made the right call. Legitimate employers don't need proof of your unemployment status just to hire you.

True! I've been using the time to do some online courses and volunteer work too, so it hasn't been completely unproductive.

That's great! Shows you've been proactive during your unemployment period.

You continue filing until you actually start working. Just report your first day of work on your weekly claim.

Same question I had earlier! Good to know you file until you actually start the job.

Thanks! I was worried about messing up the timing and creating problems with my claim.

That's really reassuring to hear from someone who's done hiring. I feel much better about being honest on applications now.

Yeah, don't stress about it. Focus on showing why you're the right person for the job - that's what actually matters.

Agreed. The unemployment question is usually just an administrative checkbox, not a screening tool.

WorkSource can be helpful, especially for resume review and interview prep. They also have job search workshops.

I should probably check them out. Been mostly doing online applications but maybe they have resources I'm missing.

They also have computers and internet access if you need it for job searching, plus some connections with local employers.

Just remember you need to log your WorkSource activities in your job search log for Washington ESD. I learned that the hard way when I had to call them about my log and couldn't get through. That's when I ended up using Claimyr to get connected to an agent.

You're right. I'm going to stop worrying about this and just focus on putting my best foot forward in applications and interviews.

Good attitude! Confidence is key in job searching.

Exactly! And remember, if you get interviews, they're already interested in you regardless of your unemployment status.

That's really encouraging to hear! I had no idea about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit making candidates more attractive. It's good to know that some employers actually view being on unemployment as a positive sign of following proper procedures. Thanks for sharing your experience - it definitely helps ease my concerns about being honest on applications.

This is such valuable insight! I've been hesitant about disclosing my unemployment status on applications, but hearing that some employers actually see it as following proper procedures really changes my perspective. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit aspect is something I never would have known about. It's reassuring to know that being transparent about my situation might actually work in my favor rather than against me.

This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been so worried about that unemployment question on applications, thinking it was automatically going to hurt my chances. Knowing that there are actual tax incentives for employers to hire people who've been on unemployment completely flips my perspective. It makes me feel much more confident about being upfront about my situation. Thanks for sharing your positive experience - it really helps to hear from someone who actually got hired and had employers view the unemployment status favorably!

I'm so glad this thread helped you too! I was in the same boat - totally overthinking that unemployment question and imagining all sorts of worst-case scenarios. It's amazing how much better it feels to understand the real reasons employers ask about it. The tax credit information was completely new to me as well. I think a lot of us job seekers assume the worst when we see these questions, but it really is mostly just standard administrative stuff. Good luck with your applications - sounds like you've got the right mindset now!

That's such a great point about showing you're organized and following proper procedures! I never thought about it that way, but you're absolutely right - managing your unemployment claim properly while actively job searching really does demonstrate responsibility and attention to detail. It's encouraging to hear that hiring managers can actually view it positively. I think I've been so focused on the potential negatives that I missed how it could show positive qualities like being proactive and systematic about the job search process. Thanks for sharing that perspective!

That's such a refreshing way to look at it! I've been so caught up in worrying about potential red flags that I completely missed how managing unemployment benefits properly could actually demonstrate positive qualities to employers. Your point about being organized and proactive really resonates with me. I think I need to reframe my whole approach - instead of seeing my Washington ESD status as something to be embarrassed about, I should view it as evidence that I'm handling a difficult situation responsibly while staying focused on my career goals. Thanks for helping shift my perspective on this!

This is exactly the mindset shift I needed! I've been approaching job applications with this defensive attitude about being on unemployment, but you're so right that it actually shows I'm handling things responsibly. The fact that I'm maintaining my Washington ESD claim properly, doing my weekly filings, keeping up with job search requirements, and being transparent about it all - that really is demonstrating organizational skills and integrity. I'm going to start framing it that way in interviews if it comes up. Instead of apologizing for being on unemployment, I can talk about how I've been using this time productively to find the right opportunity while managing all the requirements properly.