Why does my Washington ESD unemployment say disqualified week - need help understanding

I think so? I put down $240 for the 16 hours at $15/hour. Maybe I should double check my math.

The math looks right but make sure you're reporting the right week. If you worked Monday-Tuesday this week but reported it for last week's claim, that could cause issues.

My weekly benefit amount is $285 so $240 shouldn't be over that limit right?

You're right, $240 is under $285. But Washington ESD uses a formula - they deduct the first $5 from your earnings, then reduce your benefit by 75% of the remaining amount. So ($240-$5) x 0.75 = $176.25 reduction from your $285 benefit, leaving you eligible for $108.75 that week.

Wait that's confusing, if they're still eligible for money why would it show disqualified?

How much does that cost? I'm already strapped for cash with this unemployment thing.

I'd rather pay a little to actually reach someone than waste hours trying to call for free and never getting through. The frustration alone was worth it for me.

same energy, they denied my claim because I didn't list a job search that I definitely did

This is making me more nervous... I really need these benefits to pay rent

I don't see any letters in my account, just the disqualified status. Should I try refiling this week's claim?

You can usually modify a weekly claim within a certain timeframe. Look for an option to 'restart' or 'modify' your weekly claim for that week.

I did 3 job searches through WorkSource like always, logged them all properly

I always answer yes to able and available. I wasn't sick or anything that week.

What about the question asking if you refused any work? Sometimes people accidentally click yes on that one.

OH WAIT... I think I might have clicked wrong on that question. I was rushing through it Sunday night.

How do I reach them though? I've tried calling like 50 times and never get through.

Try calling right at 8am when they open, that's when I had the best luck getting through

Did they make you wait long to get the week paid out after they fixed it?

Nope, once they corrected it in the system it processed with my next weekly claim filing. Got paid for both weeks together.

smart idea! i should start doing that too

Yeah I'm definitely going to be more careful from now on. This scared me.

I'll try the messaging too, can't hurt to have multiple attempts going

Will do! Going to try calling first thing Monday morning and see what happens.

If the calling doesn't work out, that Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier really does work. I was skeptical at first but it saved me so much hassle.

If it was truly an error in how the weekly claim was answered, then yes, you should get paid for that week once it's corrected. Washington ESD will backdate the payment.

That's a relief! I was worried I'd lost that money completely.

I'm pretty sure I had the dates right but I'll double check when I talk to them. Thanks for the tip!

EXACTLY! The whole system is designed to trip people up and deny benefits

I mean, I get why they need to verify eligibility but yeah the questions could be worded better

Thanks everyone! This thread has been super helpful. I feel way less panicked now that I understand what probably happened.

Good point! I'll be extra careful this Sunday when I file. Going to read every question twice.

And maybe do it earlier in the day when you're not rushed like last time!

Definitely! Sunday evening filing is clearly not working for me lol