Good luck OP! The Washington ESD website has pretty clear instructions for filing. Don't let the bureaucracy intimidate you - you paid into this system and you deserve the benefits.

I'm also in Washington and was laid off recently. Reading through everyone's responses here really helped clarify things for me too! One thing I'd add is to make sure you have your bank account info ready when you file - they'll ask how you want to receive payments (direct deposit vs. debit card). Direct deposit is usually faster once you start getting benefits. Also, don't be discouraged if the website seems slow or glitchy sometimes - just keep trying. The system can get overloaded but it does work. Good luck with your filing!

Just want to add another perspective - I'm a substitute teacher in Washington and I was actually able to collect unemployment last summer because subs typically don't have that "reasonable assurance" of work. So the rules definitely vary depending on your exact employment situation. Since you're switching from teaching to librarian, that role change might work in your favor. The key is that it's a different job classification with different duties, even though it's in the same district. I'd definitely encourage you to apply - worst case they say no, but you might be surprised!

I'm also a Washington teacher dealing with the same summer income issues! Reading through all these responses, it sounds like your situation switching from English teacher to librarian might actually work in your favor. The fact that it's a different job classification with completely different certification requirements and daily duties could be the key to overcoming the "reasonable assurance" rule. I'd definitely recommend applying ASAP and really emphasizing how substantially different the librarian position is from classroom teaching. Even if you're in the same district, the roles are totally different - different skills, different responsibilities, different certifications needed. Worth a shot, and like others said, worst case they deny it but at least you'll know for sure. Keep us updated on what Washington ESD says!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation - just got laid off from my tech job and received 10 weeks of severance. Based on everything I've read here, it sounds like I should file my unemployment claim immediately and just report the severance accurately each week. One thing I'm wondering about though - does the amount of severance affect how much my weekly unemployment benefit would be once the severance runs out? Or is that calculated solely based on my previous wages?

Just wanted to add my experience - I was in almost the exact same situation last year with a marketing layoff and severance. Filed my claim right away like everyone suggested, and it was the right move. One thing that really helped me was keeping a detailed spreadsheet of my severance payments and which weeks they covered. Made the weekly claims much easier to fill out accurately. Also, don't stress too much about the job search requirements during severance - I used that time to really polish my resume and LinkedIn profile, which actually helped me land interviews faster once I was actively receiving benefits. The whole process is much smoother than it seems at first!

I went through something similar last year and want to share what I learned from my experience. Washington ESD does track job refusals through multiple channels - employers can report it (especially larger companies with formal HR processes), and you're required to self-report on your weekly claims. The key thing that helped me was understanding that "suitable work" has specific criteria under Washington law. Early in your claim period, you're generally not required to accept jobs that pay significantly less than your previous wage (I believe it's around 80% initially). Unreasonable commute times are also valid grounds for refusal. When I had to refuse a job offer due to a 90-minute each-way commute plus much lower pay, I documented everything - the job details, my reasons for refusal, and reported it honestly on my weekly claim. Washington ESD reviewed it and determined my refusal was justified. My advice: don't try to hide it, document your legitimate reasons, and be prepared to explain your decision if they ask. The system is actually more reasonable than you might think if you have valid grounds for refusal.

I'm in the exact same boat right now and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea that the suitable work rules were actually this reasonable or that there were specific wage thresholds early in your claim. I've been losing sleep over potentially having to take any job that comes my way just to keep my benefits. Reading everyone's experiences, especially those who successfully refused jobs with legitimate reasons, has given me so much peace of mind. I'm definitely going to start documenting everything about any job offers I receive and make sure I understand my rights before making any decisions. It's also reassuring to know that being honest and upfront is the best approach rather than trying to hide anything. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences - this community is such a valuable resource!

The bottom line is this: if you truly have good cause connected to your work, document everything, follow proper procedures, and be prepared for a potentially long process. Washington ESD will investigate thoroughly but they do approve legitimate cases. Just make sure you have a financial cushion to get through the waiting period.

I went through something similar last year. The most important thing is to make sure you exhaust all internal remedies before quitting - file complaints with HR, document their responses (or lack thereof), and give your employer a reasonable opportunity to fix the issues. Washington ESD will definitely ask about this during their investigation. Also, keep a detailed log of incidents with dates, times, witnesses, and any impact on your work or health. The burden of proof is on you to show that a reasonable person would have quit under those circumstances. It's definitely possible to get approved, but preparation is key.