my cousin got jury duty during unemployment and he just told them he couldn't serve because he was looking for work and they excused him. might be worth a try if you dont wanna deal with all this ESD confusion

Just wanted to add another perspective here - I served on a 3-week trial while on unemployment last fall. The key things that worked for me: 1) Call ESD BEFORE jury duty starts to request the job search exemption (don't wait until you're already serving), 2) Report every penny of jury pay including mileage reimbursement if they give it, and 3) Keep your jury service certificate - ESD may ask for it later during an audit. Also heads up that some employers actually pay the difference between your jury stipend and regular wages, so if you get hired during this time, ask about that policy. The whole process was actually smoother than I expected once I got the exemption approved upfront.

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this exact situation! I was a 5th grade teacher and got non-renewed due to enrollment decline. Filed for unemployment immediately and had no issues at all. The key things that helped me: 1) I had my non-renewal letter ready, 2) I filed online right away, and 3) I kept detailed records of my job search activities. Don't let anyone discourage you from filing - you absolutely qualify! The stress of not knowing about income is real, but unemployment benefits definitely helped bridge the gap while I found a new position. You've got this!

I'm going through something similar right now - my district eliminated my position due to declining enrollment and I've been really stressed about finances over the summer. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea that teachers could collect unemployment when their contracts aren't renewed. My HR department definitely didn't mention this as an option when they gave me the bad news. I'm planning to file online this week and I feel so much more confident about the process now. It's such a relief to know that this is actually what unemployment insurance is designed for. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and advice!

For anyone else reading this thread, always check your pay stub first. It's the easiest way to determine which state you should file in.

I went through this exact situation a few years back - lived in Washington but worked in Oregon. The key thing to remember is that you always file where your employer paid unemployment taxes, which is typically where you worked. Since your employer was in Idaho, that's where their unemployment taxes were paid for your position. The Idaho Department of Labor website has a really clear section on this under their FAQ. Don't let the conflicting info online confuse you - your pay stub will show which state's unemployment taxes were deducted, and that's your answer right there!

Final piece of advice based on helping several clients with similar appeals: Practice explaining your situation concisely. The judges hear dozens of cases and appreciate when claimants can clearly articulate: 1) Why you had good cause to quit the first job (offer letter for better position), 2) That you were performing adequately at the new job, and 3) That you were terminated for reasons other than misconduct. Stick to facts rather than emotions, and when asked yes/no questions, answer directly then elaborate only if needed. Good luck with your appeal!

I'm in a very similar situation right now! Just got denied last week for the same "insufficient good cause" reason even though I quit my retail job because I got hired at a healthcare facility with better pay and benefits. Then they let me go after 3 weeks saying I wasn't "adapting quickly enough" to their computer system. It's so frustrating because we did everything right - we found better jobs, quit responsibly, and then got fired through no fault of our own! I'm filing my appeal this week too. Reading through all these responses is giving me hope that we can win these cases. The advice about continuing to file weekly claims is huge - I almost made that mistake. Good luck with your hearing!

I just went through something similar! I live in Nevada but work remotely for a Washington-based company. When I got laid off, I was initially confused about which state to file with, but it's definitely based on where your employer is located and pays taxes. Since your employer is withholding Washington taxes and paying into Washington's unemployment system, that's exactly where your benefits should come from. The fact that Washington ESD approved your claim confirms you're on the right track. Your Oregon residency just means you'll need to report those unemployment benefits on your Oregon state tax return when tax season comes around, but it doesn't affect the actual unemployment claim process at all.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar boat - live in Oregon, work in Washington, and was totally confused about the tax implications. What really clicked for me reading through everyone's responses is that unemployment insurance is essentially a business expense that employers pay to the state where they operate, not where their employees happen to live. It's kind of like how a business pays property taxes where their building is located, not where their customers live. The system makes so much more sense when you think of it that way. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - especially those who've dealt with the interstate complications. Definitely saving this thread for future reference!