


Ask the community...
The 'able and available' requirement trips up a lot of people. If you have childcare issues, transportation problems, or health limitations, you might not qualify even if you lost your job through no fault of your own.
You can still qualify if you're available for a reasonable amount of work. Part-time availability might be okay depending on your circumstances and local job market.
The bottom line is that Washington ESD has a lot of rules and they're not always clear about them upfront. If you do get disqualified, don't just accept it - most decisions can be appealed if you have a good reason.
Good luck with your claim! The key is to be honest, keep good records, and don't be afraid to ask questions if you're unsure about anything.
For OP's original question about whether it's worth filing - at your salary level you're looking at probably $2600-3000 per month in benefits. That's definitely worth the time to file, especially since you can job hunt while collecting.
Last thing - if your claim gets approved, you'll get back pay for all the weeks you were eligible, including that first waiting week eventually. So even if there are delays in processing, you won't lose money you're entitled to.
The whole thing is such a hassle but the benefits really help when you're between jobs. I collected for about 4 months last year and it made a huge difference in keeping up with my bills.
The hardest part for me was explaining employment gaps in interviews. Even though unemployment is common, employers still seem to judge you for it sometimes.
Just want to say hang in there OP. Unemployment is temporary even though it doesn't feel like it when you're in the middle of it. The effects are real and challenging but you'll get through this.
Dmitry Ivanov
I know someone mentioned Claimyr earlier but I wanted to add that when I used it, it really did help me get through to Washington ESD quickly. I was having issues with my partial claim getting stuck and needed to talk to someone. Much better than the endless busy signals I was getting before.
0 coins
Mateo Hernandez
•Seems like several people have had good experiences with that service. I'll keep it in mind if I run into any issues with my claim.
0 coins
Ava Garcia
The main thing is don't let reduced hours discourage you from applying. Washington ESD specifically has partial unemployment benefits for situations exactly like yours. Even if you only get a small weekly benefit amount, every bit helps when your income gets cut.
0 coins
Mateo Hernandez
•You're absolutely right. I was hesitant to even look into it but now I feel much more confident about filing. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!
0 coins
Ethan Taylor
•Glad this thread was helpful! The partial unemployment program really is a lifesaver when you're dealing with reduced hours.
0 coins