It sounds incredibly frustrating to be caught in this cross-state employment reporting issue. This can definitely happen with remote work situations when employers don't properly report to the correct state. Since you lived and worked in Washington during your base period, you should be eligible for Washington unemployment, but the system is struggling to verify your wages. Your appeal was the right move. The mail/fax-only option is normal for certain types of appeals. A few suggestions that might help: - Gather as much documentation as possible proving you worked while physically in Washington (pay stubs, employment contract showing your Washington address, tax documents, etc.) - Contact your former employer directly and ask them to correct their wage reporting with Washington ESD - If you filed taxes in Washington during this period, those records could help your case - Consider reaching out to your state representative's office - they sometimes can help navigate complex unemployment issues The appeal process can unfortunately take 1-3 months in many cases. While waiting, keep checking your online portal regularly for updates and respond immediately to any requests for additional information. Remote work situations like yours are becoming more common, so while it's complicated, there is a process to resolve it. The key is proving your physical presence in Washington while performing the work.

I went through something similar as a remote worker! The key thing that helped me was getting my employer to file a correction with Washington ESD showing that I was physically working from Washington during the base period. You might also want to request an Interstate Benefits form (if you worked in multiple states) and provide utility bills, lease agreements, or bank statements showing your Washington residency during the work period. The appeals process is slow but hang in there - remote worker cases are tricky but definitely winnable with the right documentation. Also, if you haven't already, try calling the ESD customer service line repeatedly (I know it's frustrating) to speak with someone who understands multi-state remote work situations.

Quick question - if I start a new job but then get laid off again after a few months, can I file a new unemployment claim or do I have to wait until my original benefit year ends?

For anyone still confused about their specific situation, I'd really recommend talking to someone at Washington ESD directly. I know it's hard to get through by phone, but you can also send messages through your online account or try using one of those calling services people have mentioned.

Bottom line: if your employer reduced your hours due to business needs and it wasn't your choice or fault, that's textbook lack of work. File for partial unemployment benefits and you should be approved without issues.

Just went through this exact situation myself! My hours at the grocery store got cut from 35 to 20 per week due to corporate budget cuts. Washington ESD approved my partial unemployment claim in about a week. The key thing they look for is that the hour reduction was involuntary and due to business reasons, not performance or attendance issues. Make sure you can document that your employer made the decision to cut hours - keep any emails, schedules, or notices they gave you about the reduction. The partial benefits really helped bridge the gap while I looked for additional work. Good luck with your claim!

Bottom line - don't just disappear from the system if you might need it again. Keep filing with work reported, or officially close your claim. Those are your two best options.

I went through something similar last year when I started a contract position. The best advice I got was to keep filing weekly and report all your earnings - Washington ESD will automatically calculate if you're eligible for partial benefits. This way your claim stays active and if your part-time job doesn't work out, you won't have to go through the hassle of reopening everything. I ended up getting partial benefits for about 6 weeks while my hours were low, which really helped bridge the gap financially. Just be completely honest about your work and earnings when you file each week.

Keep us posted on how it goes! Your situation will probably help other people in similar circumstances.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! The key is checking both your benefit year end date AND whether you've earned enough new wages since your last claim. Don't just assume you have to wait the full year - I was able to refile after about 8 months because I had picked up enough part-time work. The $3,850 wage requirement everyone mentioned is correct, but make sure it's from W-2 employment where UI taxes were paid. I'd definitely recommend calling Washington ESD to verify your specific situation before filing - it's worth the wait on hold to avoid any mistakes that could delay your benefits.