Why would you be denied unemployment benefits in Washington state?

Thanks! What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? And how do they verify that you're looking for work?

Good cause includes things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, major schedule changes that conflict with childcare, etc. For job search, you need to log your activities in WorkSourceWA and be ready to show proof of applications, interviews, networking events.

I think I'm good on that since I worked steady for 2 years, but how do I check my wage history to be sure?

You can see your wage history when you file your claim, or you can request a wage statement from Washington ESD beforehand if you want to double-check.

Oh wow, I am taking one online class! Should I be worried about that?

Just be really clear that school doesn't interfere with your availability for work. And if you do get denied, don't panic - you can appeal. Getting through to Washington ESD by phone is nearly impossible though.

Actually, there's this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. I used it when I had issues with my claim status and it worked great. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

What counts as misconduct exactly? Is being late a few times enough to get denied?

Misconduct has to be willful and work-related. Occasional tardiness usually isn't enough unless it was excessive and you were warned repeatedly.

When do you have to register with WorkSource? Is that something I do before or after filing my claim?

You should register as soon as you file your claim. It's all connected through the same system now, so it should prompt you to do it.

What if you quit because of health issues? Does that count as good cause?

Yes, documented medical conditions that prevent you from doing your job can be good cause, but you need medical documentation to prove it.

Good to know! I do some occasional Uber driving - should I report that even if it's just like $50 a week?

YES! Report everything. Even $1 needs to be reported. It's better to report and have them reduce your benefits slightly than to get caught later and owe thousands in overpayments.

This is so important. I know someone who got hit with a $4000 overpayment because they didn't report some freelance work. Washington ESD doesn't mess around with this stuff.

Do the job contacts have to be applications or can they be networking events and stuff like that?

They can be different types of activities but applications to specific jobs are the strongest. Check the WorkSourceWA guidelines for what counts.

I had trouble with the job search thing too. If you're having issues getting through to Washington ESD to clarify requirements, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me reach an agent quickly. They have a website at claimyr.com and even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

I'm a citizen and healthy, so that shouldn't be an issue for me.

How do they calculate the base period? Is it the last year of work?

It's usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. So if you file in January 2025, they look at January 2024 through September 2024.

Wait, Washington ESD requires drug tests? I thought that was only for certain jobs.

It's not routine, but if you're referred to certain jobs or programs they can require it. And if you were fired for drug-related reasons, that's definitely grounds for denial.

What if you're taking care of a sick family member? Does that count as not available?

It depends on the circumstances. If it prevents you from working full-time, it could be an issue. You might need to look into family leave options instead.

ugh the phone system is THE WORST. I literally called 200+ times over 3 days trying to get through

That's exactly why I started using Claimyr. Saves so much time and frustration compared to calling Washington ESD directly. Worth every penny when you need to actually talk to someone about your claim.

I should have known about that when I was dealing with my appeal. Would have saved me weeks of stress.

How do they define 'suitable'? Can you refuse a job that's way different from your experience?

Initially you can be picky about jobs in your field, but as time goes on the definition of suitable work expands. Distance from home, your skills, and working conditions all factor in.

I had trouble with the ID verification! It kept rejecting my documents.

That's super common. Make sure your documents are clear photos, not scanned, and that all four corners are visible. Sometimes you have to try multiple times.

How do they even know if you turn down a job offer?

Employers can report it to Washington ESD if they offer you a job and you refuse. That's why it's important to be really careful about what jobs you apply for - don't just spray and pray.

This happened to my neighbor. She turned down a job that paid 75% of her previous wage after being unemployed for 8 weeks, and they cut off her benefits.

What kind of identity verification do they require?

Usually it's automated through ID.me, but sometimes they need additional documents. Make sure all your info matches exactly what's on your Social Security card and driver's license.

I feel you. The bureaucracy is insane. But don't give up - most denials can be appealed if you have a valid reason.

yeah i'm appealing but getting any actual person at washington esd to look at your case is nearly impossible

That's why services like Claimyr exist - sometimes you just need to get a real person on the phone who can actually look at your specific situation and fix the problem instead of getting stuck in automated hell.

I worked retail, so I don't think that applies to me, but good to know!

That's good advice. Better to be upfront about everything from the start.

Exactly. I know someone who tried to hide some part-time work and ended up owing back thousands plus penalties. Not worth the risk.

I'm staying put, but that's useful info for others reading this.

Thanks everyone! This has been super helpful. I feel much more confident about filing my claim now.

Good luck! And remember, if you do run into issues, don't be afraid to appeal or ask for help. The system can be confusing but there are resources available.

Really? I didn't know criminal history mattered for unemployment.

It usually doesn't unless it caused your job loss. Having a record doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits.

What if the severance was just a lump sum? Do they spread it out over weeks?

Yes, they calculate how many weeks that lump sum would have covered at your regular wage and defer benefits for that period.

That's terrifying. How careful do you need to be with reporting part-time work?

Very careful. Report ANY work, even if it's just a few hours. It's better to over-report than under-report. They cross-reference with employer records.

How long do you have to appeal?

30 days from the date on the determination letter. Don't wait - file the appeal even if you're still gathering evidence.

If you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your denial or appeal, Claimyr made it so much easier for me to get through. Worth checking out if you're stuck in phone queue hell.

Is the waiting week the same as the adjudication period?

No, adjudication is when they're investigating your claim. The waiting week happens after approval - it's just an unpaid week before benefits begin.

So true! I thought I was denied for weeks because I couldn't understand the status messages on their website.

Their website is confusing. If you're not sure about your status, try calling or use one of those services that helps you get through to them faster.

Yes! I got a letter with like 5 different reference numbers and no plain English explanation.

That's why talking to an actual person is so important. They can explain what the codes mean and what you need to do to fix the issue.

Exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. Sometimes you just need a human to explain what's going on with your claim, and their regular phone lines are impossible.

Thanks everyone, this really helped calm my nerves. I was laid off due to budget cuts so I should be okay.

You should be fine then. Just make sure to do your weekly claims on time and keep looking for work. Document everything just in case.

What if you were on leave but are now recovered and able to work?

You should be fine as long as you can document that you're now able and available to work. Might need a doctor's note clearing you for work.

That's reassuring. I was thinking if I got denied that was it.

Nope, you have multiple levels of appeal. Just don't wait to file - there are strict deadlines at each level.

This is such helpful advice! I'm new to all this unemployment stuff and was feeling pretty overwhelmed by all the requirements everyone's been mentioning. It's reassuring to hear that a straightforward layoff case like yours should go smoothly. I'm curious though - when you say "register with WorkSource immediately after filing," do you mean the same day or is there a specific timeframe? And for the job search documentation, can you use the same WorkSource system to log those 3 weekly contacts, or do you need to keep separate records too? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I don't mess anything up!

@Ev Luca Great questions! For WorkSource registration, I d'recommend doing it within the first week after filing your claim - they re'pretty connected systems now so it should prompt you during the application process. And yes, you can log your job search activities directly in WorkSourceWA, but I d'also suggest keeping your own backup records screenshots, (emails, etc. just) in case there are any technical issues with their system. I learned that lesson the hard way when their website went down for maintenance and I almost missed documenting a week of job search activities! Better safe than sorry when dealing with Washington ESD s'requirements.