One more thing to consider - if your new job has a probationary period, you might want to keep your unemployment documentation organized and easily accessible. While your claim stays open for a year, having all your records readily available can make things smoother if you need to restart filing for any reason. Also, some employers have waiting periods for benefits to kick in, so knowing you have that safety net can give you peace of mind during your first few months. Sounds like you're being really thorough about this whole process - that attention to detail will probably serve you well in your new role too!

Another thing worth mentioning - if you're switching from unemployment to a new job, make sure you understand your new employer's pay schedule. Some companies pay weekly, others bi-weekly or monthly, and the timing can affect your cash flow during the transition. If there's going to be a gap between your last unemployment payment and your first paycheck, plan accordingly. Also, don't forget to update your address and contact information with Washington ESD if anything changes with your new job situation - they may need to reach you even after you stop filing claims. The transition period can feel a bit uncertain, but it sounds like you're handling everything really thoughtfully!

one thing to remember is that once ur on TB, the benefits last longer than regular unemployment! i think its like 26 weeks vs the normal 13 weeks or something? dont quote me on the exact numbers lol but def worth it if ur doing a longer training program

Update: I finally got through to ESD today! They confirmed that I CAN apply for Training Benefits while living out of state, as long as my unemployment claim is based on Washington work. The rep said I need to make sure my training program is on their approved provider list, which I can check online. If anyone else is in this situation - it is possible! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. I'm going to start my application this week.

I went through this exact situation last year with Washington ESD. They initially classified my layoff as "voluntary quit" which was completely wrong. For your appeal letter, make sure to include: 1) A clear statement that you're appealing the misconduct determination, 2) Your layoff documentation from HR, 3) Evidence that this was a group layoff (like a company announcement or news article if available), 4) Your positive performance review, and 5) Contact info for coworkers who were also laid off. I'd also recommend sending it both online through your eServices account AND by certified mail to cover all bases. The key is being very specific about why their determination is factually incorrect. Good luck!

Here's a template that worked for me when I appealed a similar Washington ESD misconduct determination: **SUBJECT: Appeal of Disqualification Decision - Claim #[Your Claim Number]** Dear Washington ESD Appeals Division, I am formally appealing the disqualification decision dated [Date] regarding my unemployment claim. I was incorrectly classified as being terminated for misconduct when I was actually laid off due to company restructuring. **Facts:** - Employment dates: [Start date] to [End date] - I was one of 12 employees laid off on the same day due to department closure - My last performance review from [Date] was satisfactory/positive - No disciplinary actions or warnings were ever issued to me - I received written notification that my position was eliminated due to restructuring **Attached Documentation:** 1. Layoff notification letter from HR 2. Performance review from [Date] 3. List of other employees laid off on the same date 4. Copy of original disqualification notice I respectfully request that you reverse this disqualification decision as my separation was due to lack of work, not misconduct. Please contact me at [phone] or [email] if you need additional information. Sincerely, [Your signature] [Printed name] [Date] The key is being factual, organized, and including solid documentation. Send it certified mail and keep copies of everything!

This is such a great success story! I'm currently in a similar situation where I have a job offer but won't start for several weeks. Seeing that you got it all sorted out with the standby status gives me hope that the process can actually work smoothly when done correctly. Thanks for sharing the update - it's really helpful to see the full resolution of these kinds of situations!

This whole thread is incredibly helpful! I'm just starting my job search after being laid off last month, so it's good to know the process for when I hopefully find something. Emma, congratulations on landing the position - 4 months of searching must have been really stressful. It's reassuring to see that ESD actually handled this correctly when you reported everything properly with the future start date. I'm definitely saving this thread for reference!

Final thought - remember that the job search requirement exists to help you find work faster, not to make your life harder. Use it as motivation to stay active in your job search and you'll benefit even if you never get audited.

As someone new to the Washington unemployment system, this thread has been incredibly informative! I just started my claim last week and was feeling overwhelmed about the job search requirements. It's reassuring to know that as long as you're genuine in your efforts and keep detailed records, the audit process isn't something to fear. I'm going to start documenting everything from day one - dates, company names, positions, application methods, and any responses. Better to be over-prepared than scrambling later if I get selected for review. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!