This thread has been super helpful! I'm in a similar situation and was stressing about the rules. Sounds like as long as you're honest and don't work full-time hours consistently, you should be fine.

One thing I'd add is to keep detailed records of your work hours and earnings each week. I use a simple spreadsheet to track everything before I file my weekly claim - makes it so much easier to report accurately. Also, don't forget that holiday pay or bonuses from your part-time job need to be reported too. Washington ESD considers all compensation as earnings, not just your regular hourly wages.

Just wanted to add - check if your former employer has contested your original unemployment claim. You can see this in your eServices account under the "Decisions" tab. If they never contested it initially but are suddenly claiming you quit voluntarily, that strengthens your case significantly. Print those records for your hearing. Also, remember that you can request a copy of your entire ESD file through a public records request. This lets you see exactly what your employer told ESD about your separation. Sometimes employers tell ESD something completely different from what they told you. Having this information before your hearing can be extremely valuable.

I went through something very similar just 6 months ago - $11k overpayment for supposedly "abandoning" my job when they basically pushed me out by cutting my shifts to 8 hours a week. Here's what I learned: First, definitely start with the Unemployment Law Project that Sofia mentioned. They helped me for FREE and knew exactly how to frame my case. The key phrases you need to use are "constructive dismissal" and "substantial change in working conditions." Second, gather EVERYTHING - not just pay stubs but also your original job offer/contract showing your expected hours, any communications about the hour cuts, coworker testimonies if possible. I even had my coworker write a statement about how they were doing the same thing to other employees. Third, don't panic about the $14,500 amount. Even if you lose the appeal (which you probably won't with good representation), ESD offers payment plans as low as $25/month if you can show financial hardship. The hearing itself was way less scary than I expected. The judge asked straightforward questions and my ULP attorney handled most of the talking. We won a complete reversal - no overpayment at all. You've got this! The fact that they cut your hours that drastically is basically textbook constructive dismissal.

I'm new here but this thread is exactly what I needed to find! I've been on unemployment for about 2 months and have rental income from a condo I bought as an investment a few years ago. Brings in around $1,500/month and I've been dutifully reporting it on my weekly claims, but I was getting really anxious that it might somehow disqualify me or reduce my benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences here - especially hearing from the benefits counselor and people who've been through this multiple times - has been incredibly reassuring. The passive vs earned income distinction finally clicked for me. I use a property management company so I'm completely hands-off, just like many others have described. It's amazing how much clearer this becomes when you hear from real people with actual experience rather than trying to decipher the confusing official documentation. Thank you all for creating such a helpful resource for those of us navigating this stressful situation!

I'm really glad I found this thread! I've been on unemployment for about 8 weeks now and have rental income from a small apartment building that brings in around $2,200/month. I've been reporting it on my weekly claims but was constantly worried that I was doing something wrong or that it might affect my benefit amount. Reading through all these experiences has been such a huge relief - especially the clarification about earned vs unearned income and hearing from the benefits counselor. Like many others here, I use a property management company so it's completely passive for me. It's incredible how much anxiety this stuff can cause when you're already dealing with unemployment stress. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - this kind of real-world insight is so much more helpful than trying to navigate the confusing official resources!

Update for 2025: ESD has actually improved some of their internal processes compared to previous years. If you call and can actually reach someone, ask specifically for an "adjudication status update request" and reference the 6+ week timeframe. This is a relatively new internal process that flags cases exceeding their expected resolution window. I've also found that mentioning financial hardship specifically can help prioritize your case. Use terms like "imminent eviction risk" or "utility disconnection pending" if those apply to your situation.

I went through this exact same situation last year - 7 weeks in adjudication hell with zero communication from ESD. What finally broke the logjam for me was filing a complaint with the Washington State Ombudsman's office (ombuds.wa.gov). They have a specific process for handling ESD delays and can actually compel them to respond within a reasonable timeframe. The ombudsman doesn't just make phone calls - they have statutory authority to investigate government agency delays and can issue formal findings. In my case, they contacted ESD directly and I got a resolution within 10 business days of filing the complaint. Also, if you're facing genuine financial hardship (which it sounds like you are), ask about emergency food assistance through DSHS while you're waiting. The situation sucks but there are resources to help bridge the gap. Hang in there - the system is broken but you will get through this!

Final thought - make sure you understand the difference between 'refusing' a job and 'not being selected' for a job. Only actual refusals of job offers need to be reported to Washington ESD. If you interview and they don't offer you the position, that's different.

I went through something very similar about 6 months ago. Had a marketing background like you and got offered a basic admin role at 60% of my previous salary. Washington ESD actually sided with me when I refused it because the skill level was so far below my experience. The key things that helped my case: I documented my 12+ years of marketing experience, showed the huge pay cut, and explained how taking such a step backward would hurt my long-term career prospects. I also made sure to keep applying for appropriate positions in my field to show I was actively job searching. Don't let them pressure you into taking something that doesn't make sense for your situation - just make sure you have solid documentation of why it's not suitable work.