Just to clarify some misconceptions in this thread: The 'able and available for 40 hours' requirement doesn't mean you must be available 24/7. It means you must be available during the normal work hours for your occupation. For administrative work, that's typically business hours Monday-Friday. If you were previously part-time but are now claiming full unemployment benefits, you need to be available for full-time work. This means you should be job searching for both part-time AND full-time positions that match your skills. Answer honestly about any weeks where you had limitations. If there were legitimate reasons (illness, one-time appointments, etc.), explain those. ESD evaluates each situation individually.

I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago! The key thing to remember is that "able and available for 40 hours" doesn't mean you need to be sitting by your phone 24/7 waiting for work calls. It means during your normal occupation's work hours, you could accept a full-time position if offered. Since you were an admin assistant, they're asking if during standard business hours (typically M-F 8-5 or 9-5), you were physically able to work and available to accept employment. Things that would make you "not available" would be being out of town, having medical issues that prevented work, lack of childcare during work hours, etc. The fact that your previous job was only 32 hours doesn't matter - when you file for unemployment, you're stating you're ready to work full-time if needed. Just answer truthfully about whether there were any specific weeks where you couldn't have accepted a full-time admin position during business hours. If you were available all weeks, say so. If there were a few days you weren't (like for a medical appointment), specify those and explain why. Don't overthink it - they just need to verify continued eligibility. Most people get through this without any issues!

Just wanted to add my experience since I see a lot of people stressing about these questionnaires! I got one last year after reporting that I had jury duty for 3 days. I was absolutely terrified they'd disqualify me, but it turned out jury duty is actually one of the most clear-cut "excused" absences since it's a legal obligation. The key thing I learned is that ESD distinguishes between "voluntary" unavailability (like taking a vacation) and "involuntary" or "necessary" unavailability (medical appointments, family emergencies, civic duties, etc.). Medical appointments, car repairs, and caring for family members all fall into that second category. When I filled out my questionnaire, I made sure to: 1) Explain exactly what happened and why it was necessary, 2) Emphasize that I was available all other days that week, 3) Include that I continued job searching during that period. My payments were only delayed about 4 days while they reviewed it. The biggest mistake people make is not responding at all because they're scared - that WILL get your benefits suspended. Always respond honestly and promptly, even if you're worried about the outcome!

I'm new to unemployment benefits and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I just started my claim last week and haven't run into any issues yet, but reading everyone's experiences with the "able and available" questionnaires is making me realize I should be more careful about how I answer my weekly certifications. It sounds like even innocent things like doctor appointments or car repairs can trigger these reviews if you're not careful about how you report them. Should I be marking "yes" to being available even if I have a brief appointment during the week? I don't want to lie, but I also don't want to accidentally flag myself for review over a routine dentist visit or something. Also, seeing all the tips about keeping documentation and framing responses positively - that's really smart advice I wouldn't have thought of. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences, especially NebulaNova for the update that it worked out! This community is so helpful for navigating this confusing system.

Welcome to Washington! As someone who went through this exact process when we PCS'd to JBLM two years ago, I can confirm that Washington ESD is very military spouse friendly. One tip I wish I'd known earlier - when you file your weekly claims, there's a section that asks about availability for work. Make sure you indicate you're available and able to work, even if you're still getting settled from the move. Also, if you're planning to pursue any certifications or licenses needed for your field in Washington (some professions have different state requirements), you can often count those activities toward your work search requirements. The transition can feel overwhelming at first, but the community here is great and there are lots of opportunities once you get established!

Just to add one more helpful resource - the Family Readiness Group (FRG) at JBLM often has informal networks where military spouses share job leads and advice about navigating the local employment scene. I found my current job through a connection I made at an FRG coffee meetup! Also, if you're looking at federal employment opportunities, USAJobs often has positions at JBLM and in the greater Tacoma/Seattle area that give preference to military spouses. The combination of unemployment benefits while actively networking and job searching really helped me land on my feet after our PCS. Don't underestimate the power of connecting with other military families who understand exactly what you're going through with this transition!

I'm going through something very similar right now! Got approved in September but every weekly claim shows "disqualified" with zero explanation. I've been calling ESD for weeks with no luck getting through. One thing I noticed - when I log into eServices and look at my weekly claims, there's sometimes a tiny "i" icon next to the disqualified status that you have to hover over to see additional info. It's super easy to miss, but it might give you a clue about what's causing the disqualification. Also, have you tried reaching out to your local WorkSource office? They sometimes have direct lines to ESD or can help escalate cases. I'm planning to visit mine in person this week since the phone system is basically useless. Keep us posted on what you find out - dealing with this while unemployed is so stressful!

This is such a frustrating situation and you're definitely not alone! I went through something almost identical earlier this year. In my case, it turned out to be a combination of issues - my employer had disputed part of my claim (which I had no idea about), and there was also a flag on my account because I had briefly worked in Oregon before moving to Washington. The really maddening thing is that the approval letter you received only covers the monetary eligibility part - meaning you earned enough wages to qualify for benefits. But there can be separate non-monetary issues (like employer disputes, identity verification problems, or interstate work complications) that prevent actual payment, and these often don't show up clearly in your account. I finally got through using a combination of calling right when they open at 8 AM and also trying the callback option if it's available that day. When I did reach someone, they found three separate issues on my account that weren't visible to me online. It took about 45 minutes on the phone to sort everything out, but once they did, all my back payments were processed within a few days. Don't give up! The system is definitely broken in terms of communication, but there are real people who can fix these issues once you reach them.

One more thing - if you had any issues with your 1099-G or need clarification on amounts, definitely try to resolve it before filing. Much easier than dealing with amended returns later.

Just wanted to add that if you're using tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or FreeTaxUSA, they'll usually have a specific section for unemployment income where you enter your 1099-G information. Don't try to manually calculate the tax - let the software do it for you. It will automatically add the unemployment benefits to your other income and calculate your total tax liability. The key is just making sure you have that 1099-G from Washington ESD before you start filing.