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i had partial unemployment last year when i worked at a restaurant and my hours got cut. nobody told me I had to do job searches every week even tho i was still working part time!! ended up getting disqualified for like 3 weeks of benefits and had to appeal. make sure he does his job searches!!!
Just to clarify on this point - if his reduced hours are temporary (less than 4 weeks), he might qualify for standby status where job searches aren't required. His employer would need to verify the temporary nature of the reduction and provide an expected return-to-full-time date. He can request standby when filing his initial claim or by contacting ESD directly.
When I had my hours reduced at my plumbing job last winter, I struggled with the ESD phone system for days. After multiple disconnections, I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an ESD representative quickly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 showing how it works. The agent confirmed that in Washington: 1. Your employer automatically gets notified when you file 2. The earnings threshold is definitely the 1.33 × WBA formula others mentioned, not a fixed hour amount 3. You MUST do job searches unless you get standby approval The service saved me hours of frustration and the agent fixed some issues with my claim that would have delayed my payments.
Thanks for the additional confirmation on those points. I hope we don't need to call ESD, but if we do, I'll keep that service in mind. Did you find that the weekly claim filing process for partial unemployment was straightforward, or were there confusing parts?
The weekly claims were mostly straightforward except for two things: 1. You have to be very exact about reporting earnings for work performed that week (not when you got paid). My company pays biweekly, which made it confusing. 2. The job search documentation section is weirdly designed - make sure he saves details of all job search activities (company name, contact info, application method, position). I lost benefits for one week because I couldn't provide specific enough details during a random audit. The partial unemployment math worked exactly as others described, though. If he has any issues with his claim showing as pending for more than a week, I'd definitely recommend calling rather than waiting it out.
Let me clarify this situation as someone who works with these systems regularly. The PDF job search log form from ESD was created before they fully transitioned from using SSNs to claimant IDs as primary identifiers. That's why you're encountering this discrepancy. Here's what you should do: 1. Print your completed job search log with your SSN filled in the appropriate field 2. Write your claimant ID at the top of each page 3. Bring a copy of your ESD dashboard or any ESD correspondence showing your claimant ID to verify it matches what you've written WorkSource staff are well aware of this issue and will not disqualify your job search activities because of this technical limitation. The most important aspect is accurately documenting your qualifying job search activities for each week (minimum 3 per week).
UPDATE: Just got back from my WorkSource appointment and wanted to share what happened for anyone with the same question in the future. The WorkSource specialist said it was completely fine to have my SSN on the form instead of claimant ID! She said they see this all the time and it's not an issue. I had handwritten my claimant ID at the top of each page just to be safe (based on advice here), and she said that was perfect. So don't stress about this issue like I did! They're totally used to it.
Last year I was in adjudication for 8 weeks, and what finally worked was sending a direct email to the ESD Commissioner's office explaining my hardship situation. I'm not saying it will work for everyone, but within 3 days of sending that email, my claim was suddenly processed. Sometimes going straight to the top can shake things loose when the normal channels are backed up. I included details about facing eviction and having medical needs that couldn't wait. If you're in a genuinely dire situation, it might be worth trying.
Do you still have the email address you used? I'm definitely in a hardship situation at this point - about to miss rent and car payment, and I have medication I need to refill next week.
I believe I sent it to commissioner@esd.wa.gov but that was last year so maybe double-check their website to make sure it's still current. Keep your email concise but include specific details about your hardship situation and all the steps you've already taken (governor's office, legislator, etc). Good luck!
Small progress! I finally got through to someone at ESD using Claimyr (definitely worth it after weeks of trying on my own). The agent confirmed there's an employer verification issue that's not showing on my portal. My former employer apparently hasn't responded to ESD's requests for information. I've contacted my ex-employer and they're going to submit the required info today. The agent also noted the hardship on my account and said it should expedite things once the employer responds. Fingers crossed, but at least now I know what the holdup is!
Quick update - after seeing a recommendation here, I tried Claimyr today for my adjudication issue with ESD and got through in about 15 mins when I'd been trying for days on my own. Just sharing in case others are struggling with the phone system too. There's a demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 that shows how it works.
UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD this morning after trying for 2 hours! The agent was actually super helpful once I got through. She backdated my claims for 11/4 and 11/11 right away, and said I should see the payments in my account by Wednesday. She also explained that the system doesn't allow online backdating until you've established a "regular filing pattern" - whatever that means. For anyone else with this issue - definitely call, have your job search activities ready (they DO need all 3 for each week), and be prepared to wait on hold. Thanks everyone for your help!
Olivia Van-Cleve
What a nightmare these different systems are! I had to transition from PFML to UI last year after a surgery and ended up in adjudication hell for SIX WEEKS because of confusion about my work status. ESD kept saying I wasn't able to work even though I had a doctor's note - turns out they were looking at my PFML end date incorrectly. TRUST ME - apply exactly on January 5th (not before, not after), upload that doctor's note immediately, AND call ESD on the same day to explain your situation. You need to get ahead of any potential confusion. Also, make sure your PFML claim shows as properly closed in the system. I'd go with the seasonal layoff explanation if your employer agrees. Anything medical-related tends to trigger extra scrutiny from ESD about whether you're truly able and available for work.
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Sarah Jones
•Six weeks?! That's terrifying. I'm definitely going to be proactive about this. How do I check that my PFML claim is properly closed? Is that something I need to do, or does it happen automatically when the benefit period ends?
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Olivia Van-Cleve
•It should close automatically, but nothing is truly automatic with these systems! Log into your PFML account after your last payment and check that it shows your claim as completed/closed. If you see anything weird, definitely call them. The biggest issue is when one system shows you're still on medical leave while you're telling another system you're able to work. That contradiction is what causes the adjudication nightmare.
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Mason Kaczka
Wait you can go from PFML straight to unemployment??? I thought that wasn't allowed!
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Elijah O'Reilly
•Yes, you absolutely can transition from PFML to UI as long as you meet the qualification criteria for unemployment. The key requirements are: 1. You must be able and available for work (which the doctor's note establishes) 2. You must have lost your job through no fault of your own (seasonal layoff qualifies) 3. You must have worked enough hours in your base year to qualify There's no rule preventing someone from receiving PFML and then UI - they're separate benefit programs with different purposes and eligibility requirements.
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Mason Kaczka
•oh wow ok thats good to know! i always thought it was one or the other
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