I went through this exact same situation last year! I had a $5,000 signing bonus that I wasn't sure about including. I called ESD (took forever to get through) and they confirmed that ALL compensation from your employer needs to be reported as gross income - base salary, bonuses, commissions, overtime, everything. The rep told me that it's much better to over-report than under-report because they can always adjust down, but if you under-report and they catch it later (which they will when they verify with your employer), you'll face overpayment issues. So definitely include that $7,200 bonus with your base salary for a total of $75,700. Better safe than sorry!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - I received a performance bonus in January and wasn't sure if it should be included in my gross income reporting. After reading all these responses, it's clear I need to include it. One thing I'm wondering about though - if the bonus pushes me into a higher benefit calculation, does that mean I might actually get MORE weekly benefits? It seems counterintuitive but based on what Aria mentioned about using your highest-earning quarters, maybe including bonuses could actually work in your favor depending on the timing?

Quick update for those following this thread - ESD has actually created a specific Identity Theft form to streamline these reports. Go to esd.wa.gov, search for "Unemployment benefits fraud" and look for the secure form upload option. You'll need to provide ID documentation, but it creates a direct case in their system rather than relying on phone calls.

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago and it was definitely stressful at first, but I wanted to reassure you that it does get resolved! A few additional tips from my experience: 1) When you call, try to call right at 8am when they open - you'll have the best chance of getting through quickly. 2) Take screenshots of your online ESD account if you can access it (or if one was created without your knowledge) as evidence. 3) Ask them to send you written confirmation via email that they've received your fraud report - this helps if you need to provide proof to your employer or bank later. The whole process took about 6 weeks for me from start to finish, and they were actually pretty good about keeping me updated once I got the initial report filed. You've got this!

Just to follow up on my earlier comment - make sure you mention these specific things in your explanation: 1. It was explicitly a "work trial" or "evaluation period" 2. The excessive hours requirement (60+ vs standard 40) 3. The hostile work environment (screaming/verbal abuse) These factors clearly establish that this was unsuitable work under RCW 50.20.100, which protects your benefits eligibility. Also be sure to answer any ESD messages promptly as delayed responses can further delay your claim processing.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through something similar - I did a 5-day trial at a marketing firm that turned out to be a nightmare (unpaid overtime expectations, no clear job description, toxic management). I reported the earnings honestly and explained it was a trial period that didn't work out. My claim did go into pending for about 10 days while they reviewed it, but I got approved and received backpay for those pending weeks. The key is being completely honest and thorough in your explanation. Document everything about the working conditions now while it's fresh - the 60+ hour expectation and hostile environment you described would definitely qualify as unsuitable work conditions under Washington state law. Don't let the horror stories scare you too much - most legitimate work trial situations get resolved fairly quickly if you provide clear documentation. Good luck with your upcoming interviews!

this happened to me last quarter too.. they do this sometimes but dont tell anyone in advance which is super annoying. my cousin works at a call center and said they get FLOODED with calls whenever this happens because everyone panics lol. definitely just keep doing ur job searches even tho they arent asking for them right now!!!

Just for everyone's future reference, here's what you need to know about these job search suspension weeks: 1. They typically happen 1-2 times per quarter 2. The system will not ask for job search details during these weeks 3. You are still required to perform your 3 job search activities each week 4. Keep your job search log updated even during suspension weeks 5. ESD can audit your job search records for up to a year 6. Notifications about suspension weeks are posted in your ESD message center Hope this helps clear up any confusion!

Applied for both last year during covid. The process is definitely doable but expect it to take time. Both agencies are understaffed and overworked so be patient but persistent.

Mae, I'm in a similar situation and have been researching this extensively. You absolutely can get both, but here's what I've learned: DSHS will count your unemployment as income when calculating your TANF eligibility, which will reduce your cash aid amount but not necessarily eliminate it. The key is being completely transparent with both agencies from day one. I'd recommend applying online for TANF through Washington Connection if possible - it's faster than waiting on hold. Also, don't forget to ask about emergency assistance programs and childcare subsidies when you apply, as those income limits are often higher and could provide more relief than the cash assistance itself. The paperwork is overwhelming but totally worth it when you have kids to support.