I'm going through something really similar right now - my employer cut my position from full-time to part-time last month, which reduced my hours by almost 40%. They said it was "budget constraints" but then hired someone new at entry level the following week. The work environment has become really tense since I complained about it to my supervisor. I haven't quit yet but I'm seriously considering it. Reading through all these responses is really helpful - it sounds like documentation is absolutely critical. I've been saving emails and taking screenshots of my schedule changes. Has anyone had success with claims involving hour reductions rather than pay cuts? I'm wondering if the same "good cause quit" rules apply when it's hours instead of hourly rate. Also, for those who went through adjudication - did ESD contact your employer before or after they interviewed you? I'm worried about potential retaliation if my boss finds out I'm even considering filing for unemployment.

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the combination of demotion, pay cut, and hostile treatment sounds awful. Based on what others have shared here, your 25% pay reduction definitely meets the threshold for "good cause quit" under Washington law. A few things to consider as you prepare your claim: 1. Document the timeline carefully - when the demotion happened, when the hostile treatment started, when you tried to resolve it with HR 2. Calculate your exact pay reduction percentage and gather pay stubs from before and after 3. Keep any witnesses' contact info handy in case ESD wants to verify your account The adjudication process sounds intimidating but several people here got approved with similar situations. The key seems to be showing you tried to work with your employer before quitting and that any reasonable person would have done the same. Have you considered filing sooner rather than later? Even if it takes weeks to get through adjudication, at least you'll have your claim in the system and can start the process. The job search requirement applies from when you file, so there's no benefit to waiting. Wishing you the best with this - dealing with mortgage payments while job hunting is incredibly stressful.

Final tip - when you file your claim, be completely honest about everything. It's better to explain a complicated situation upfront than to have Washington ESD discover something later that looks like you were trying to hide it.

Just wanted to add that I went through a similar situation last year - my hours got cut from full-time to part-time and I eventually had to quit because it wasn't sustainable financially. Washington ESD approved my claim because the substantial reduction in hours was considered good cause. The key is documenting everything like others mentioned - I kept copies of my old schedule vs new schedule, emails about the changes, and even screenshots of my reduced paychecks. It took about 3 weeks to get my first payment but it was worth the wait. Don't let fear of disqualification stop you from filing - the worst they can say is no, and then you can appeal if needed.

Final thought - whatever you do, don't leave it blank. I know someone who did that and it delayed their claim for weeks while they sorted it out. Just pick something reasonable and move forward.

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago! Had worked as everything from retail associate to team lead to operations coordinator. I ended up putting my most recent title (operations coordinator) even though I'd only been in that role for 8 months versus 2+ years in retail. My claim went through without any issues. The key thing I learned is that Washington ESD pulls your actual wage data directly from employers, so the occupation dropdown is really just for their internal tracking and job search guidance. Don't stress too much about finding the "perfect" match - just pick the closest option to your most recent role and you'll be fine!

This thread has been super helpful! I'm in a similar situation and was stressed about how to handle the part-time work. Sounds like as long as I'm honest and report everything accurately, I should be fine.

I've been collecting partial benefits while working part-time for about 4 months now, and honestly it's been a lifesaver. The key things that helped me avoid any issues: 1) I set up a simple spreadsheet to track my weekly hours and gross earnings before each claim, 2) I always round UP when reporting earnings (better to overestimate than underestimate), and 3) I screenshot my weekly claim confirmations for my records. The Washington ESD system actually works pretty well once you get into the routine. Also, don't forget that your work search activities can include networking events, career fairs, and informational interviews - not just online applications!

Bottom line - yes you can collect both. Just be honest about all your income sources and you'll be fine. Good luck with your job search!

I went through this same situation last year at 63 after getting laid off from Microsoft. You can definitely collect both - I've been doing it for 14 months now without any issues. The key things to remember: 1) Report your full social security amount on your weekly claims, 2) Keep detailed records of your job search activities (3 per week minimum), and 3) Don't let anyone tell you that collecting social security means you're "retired" - as long as you're actively looking for work, you're eligible. The Washington ESD agents I spoke with were very clear that these are completely separate programs. One tip: when you file your initial claim online, there's a specific section where you'll enter your social security income - don't skip it thinking it doesn't apply. Good luck with your search!