Washington Unemployment
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How much can I earn at part-time job before ESD reduces my weekly UI benefit?
I just got laid off from my full-time warehouse position and filed for unemployment last week. My claim was approved (yay!) but my weekly benefit amount isn't enough to cover all my bills. I'm thinking about picking up some part-time evening shifts at a local grocery store while I look for another full-time job. I know there's some kind of earning threshold before ESD starts deducting money from my UI payments, but I'm confused about how it works. Does anyone know how many hours/dollars I can earn each week before they start reducing my unemployment check? I really don't want to mess up my claim by reporting income incorrectly.
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How to report job search activities when filing weekly claim by phone with ESD?
I usually file my weekly claims online, but my internet's been out for days (thanks Comcast...) so I had to use the phone system this week. I managed to file the claim and answer all the questions, but I never got prompted to enter my job search activities! Did I miss something? The automated system just confirmed my claim was filed successfully and hung up. Do I need to call back and add my job search activities separately? Or does ESD not require you to report job searches when filing by phone? I'm worried I'll get disqualified if I don't report my 3 job search activities somehow. Has anyone else filed by phone and know how this works?
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The entire ESD system is DELIBERATELY DESIGNED to be confusing and trip people up so they can deny benefits!!! I went through this exact situation last year and ended up getting disqualified because I didn't know I still needed to do job searches when filing by phone. No one told me! The automated system doesn't tell you! They sent me a letter MONTHS later saying I owed $4,800 in overpayments because I failed a job search review. The system is RIGGED against claimants. They don't want to pay benefits so they make the process as complicated as possible hoping people will make mistakes.
While I understand your frustration, the job search requirement is clearly stated in the claimant handbook and on the ESD website. It's a requirement regardless of how you file your weekly claim. Did you appeal the overpayment? Sometimes they'll work with you if it was a genuine misunderstanding.
When I had to file by phone once during a power outage, I actually used my neighbor's internet the next day to log into my eServices account and add my job search activities after I'd already filed by phone. There's a section where you can view and edit your job search activities separate from filing your weekly claim. Not sure if that's still possible in 2025, but might be worth checking once your internet is back!
That's good to know! I'll definitely look for that option when my internet comes back. Would be nice to have everything properly documented in the system rather than just in my notebook.
ESD claim stuck in adjudication with changing dates - any success with state senator help?
Really frustrated with my ESD unemployment claim timeline... Filed on March 12, 2025, and it initially showed 'pending' for about 3 weeks. Then on April 5th, it changed to 'adjudication in progress' without any explanation. Today I checked again and the adjudication date updated AGAIN but still says the same status! No movement at all despite the date change. I'm getting desperate since it's been over 6 weeks total now. I reached out to my state senator's office about 2 weeks ago to see if they could help expedite things. Their assistant said they'd send an inquiry, but I haven't heard anything back yet. My savings are getting dangerously low. Has anyone here been through something similar with dates changing during adjudication? How long did you end up waiting? Did contacting your state rep actually help speed things up? Any insight would be hugely appreciated!!
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my neighbors cousins was in adjudiction for 3 months!!! but that was back in 2023 so maybe its faster now. but yeah the systems still a mess from what i can tell
Quick update on timeframes based on recent cases I've seen: Current ESD adjudication is averaging 5-7 weeks for standard issues. Senator intervention is helping, but their offices are getting flooded with requests which is diluting the effectiveness somewhat. One thing to verify: check that your identification verification is complete and shows "verified" in your account. That's often an invisible blocker that keeps claims stuck.
Just checked and my ID verification does show as "verified" so at least that's not the issue. I'm about 6 weeks in now, so hopefully I'm nearing the end of this nightmare based on your timeframes. Thanks for the insight!
ESD claim status changed from 'adjudication in progress' to 'active' after 5 days - is that normal?
I'm totally confused about my claim status right now. I filed for unemployment just 5 days ago after being laid off from my warehouse position. Yesterday when I checked my eServices account, my claim status showed 'adjudication in progress' which I thought meant they were reviewing my case. But today when I logged in, it suddenly says 'active'! That seems WAY too fast compared to what I've heard from others. I haven't received any messages or emails from ESD, and no interview or phone calls happened. Did they actually make a decision this quickly? Or is this just some glitch in the system that's going to get my hopes up for nothing? Has anyone else seen their status change this quickly? I'm worried about getting my hopes up only to have them tell me later there was a mistake.
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To answer your follow-up question - yes, the monetary determination letter means you're eligible based on your past earnings. You should definitely start filing weekly claims right away. Just because your status can change later (as others have mentioned) doesn't mean you should delay filing. Each week you don't file is potentially lost benefits that can't be recovered later. Regarding your employer - there's no direct way to see if they've contested anything, but if they had immediately disputed your claim, you likely wouldn't have seen the status change to active so quickly. Most employer disputes show up within the first 10 days, though they technically have more time than that. If your separation was a departmental layoff as you mentioned, it's very likely your claim will remain approved. Just make sure you're doing your 3 job search activities every week and documenting them properly.
Thank you so much for the detailed explanation! I'll start filing my weekly claims right away and make sure to keep up with the job search requirements. This whole system is more complicated than I expected, but I feel much better now understanding how it works.
anyone else notice how ESD seems to be speeding up for some people but still keeping others waiting FOREVER??? seems totally UNFAIR how they pick and choose who to process quickly!
It's actually based on complexity factors rather than random selection. Claims with clear documentation, no employer disputes, straightforward work history, and standard separation reasons (like layoffs) can be processed much faster with their new automated system. Claims that involve multiple employers, unusual separation circumstances, potential availability issues, or employer disputes require human review, which takes longer. The system is prioritizing claims that can be quickly resolved while ensuring complex cases still get proper review.
Can I get ESD benefits for quitting after workplace disability discrimination in 2023?
Hi everyone, I'm in a really tough spot and wondering if there's any hope for unemployment benefits in my situation. I quit my job at a home care agency back in June 2023 after a horrible meeting with HR where they basically mocked my autism. I have official medical documentation of my disability, but when I tried to explain my accommodation needs, the HR person said "aren't we all depressed and autistic?" and laughed at me. I brought my husband to help me communicate (communication challenges are part of my disability), but they were incredibly dismissive and unprofessional. After quitting, I got my cosmetology license, but then got pregnant and had severe complications. I ended up needing a C-section and haven't been able to work since. My husband is the only income right now, and while he got some unemployment when he took time off for my C-section, we're really struggling. I always heard that if you quit a job, you can't get unemployment benefits - which is why I never applied. But now I'm wondering if there are exceptions for discrimination cases? Is it too late to apply for benefits from that job I left in 2023? Is there any other program I should look into? I want to work, but between my mental health struggles and physical recovery, I'm just not there yet.
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Unfortunately, I think you've missed the window for unemployment benefits from that job. The deadline is usually within 6 months of separation, and it's been well over a year now. However, since you mentioned you got your cosmetology license, have you considered looking into any of the Work Source programs? They might be able to help you find flexible work options that could accommodate your needs while bringing in some income. Also, as others have mentioned, PFML is probably your best option right now. Washington has one of the better PFML programs in the country, and it specifically covers recovery from childbirth. The application process is completely separate from unemployment. Whatever you do, don't give up. The system is complicated, but there are resources available.
Thank you - I hadn't thought about Work Source. I will definitely look into that for the future. My cosmetology license is still good, and once I'm physically and mentally ready to work again, I'd love to find something part-time that works with my disability needs. Right now I'm focusing on the PFML option since that seems most relevant to my current situation with the recent C-section.
The ESD phone lines are IMPOSSIBLE!! I spent 3 weeks trying to get through about my claim last month. If u need to talk to someone try early morning like 7:59am right when they open. Or use that Claimyr thing someone mentioned, my friend said it actually works.
OMG this is so true. I literally had to set an alarm for 7:55am and start calling over and over until I got through. Took me 4 days of trying this before I finally didn't get a busy signal. The whole system is broken.
Yara Haddad
Don't forget that working part-time might qualify you for partial unemployment too!! I work part time and get a small UI payment each week. It's not much but every bit helps!
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Keisha Robinson
This is an important point. Even if your part-time earnings reduce your weekly benefit, you should still file every week. As long as you receive at least $1 in UI benefits for a week, you also get the working connections benefit which gives you a discount on your health insurance through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. That alone can be worth hundreds of dollars monthly.
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Zainab Khalil
Another thing to consider is that sometimes working part-time can help extend your benefit year. Since you won't be drawing your full WBA each week when you have part-time earnings, your total benefit amount will last longer. Just make sure that your part-time work doesn't interfere with your availability for full-time work, as that's a requirement for receiving UI benefits. You need to be able and available for suitable full-time work and actively seeking it.
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Sofia Ramirez
AuthorThat's a really good point! I didn't think about stretching out my benefits that way. I'm definitely still looking for full-time work - just trying to bridge the gap financially with part-time hours. Thanks for all the helpful info everyone - this makes the whole process much clearer!
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