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Bottom line: work as many hours as you want/need, report everything honestly, and let Washington ESD calculate your partial benefit. Don't stress about hitting some magic hour limit because there isn't one.
One more thing - make sure your employer knows you're on partial UI. Some employers don't realize their employees can work part-time and still collect benefits. Saves awkward conversations later.
Yes! Some employers think their workers can't be on unemployment at all. Better to be upfront about it.
I've been in this situation before and it really does help to be transparent with your employer. Some managers are actually supportive because they know you're actively looking for full-time work and might even consider you for more hours if business picks up. Plus it shows you're being honest about your situation.
Just remember that if you have any specific questions about your situation, Claimyr can help you get through to a real person at Washington ESD who can give you official answers. Way better than guessing or getting wrong info.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you understand what happens during holiday weeks or if your part-time job has irregular scheduling. I work retail part-time while on unemployment and some weeks I get zero hours, other weeks I might get 25+ hours. The key is just being accurate with whatever you actually earned each week when you file your claim. Also, if you're in a job that pays tips (like food service), make sure to report ALL tips including cash ones - Washington ESD considers tips as wages for benefit calculation purposes.
Just wanted to follow up and say that I successfully received both SSDI and unemployment for about 6 months last year while I was job searching. The key was being completely transparent with both agencies about my situation and keeping detailed records of my job search activities. It took some extra paperwork but it was definitely doable.
That's really encouraging to hear! Did you have any issues during the process or did it go smoothly once you got everything set up?
For anyone reading this thread later, I'd recommend getting everything in writing when you speak with agents from either agency. Email confirmations, written determinations, anything official that documents what you've been told about your eligibility. It helps protect you if there are any disputes later.
Exactly. Phone conversations are great for getting information, but written documentation is what matters if there are ever any problems.
This is such valuable advice! I've been burned before by relying on verbal promises from government agencies. Having everything documented in writing really does make a difference when you need to reference what you were told months later. I learned this the hard way with a different benefits issue - ended up in a he-said-she-said situation that could have been avoided with proper documentation.
Thanks everyone for the advice! To summarize what I've learned: 1. Applying to jobs counts toward my 3 weekly activities regardless of the wage 2. I can legally decline offers paying less than 90% of my previous wage during the first 10 weeks 3. After 10 weeks, I can decline offers paying less than 75% of my previous wage 4. Documentation is critical - keep records of everything 5. WorkSource workshops are a good alternative activity that won't lead to job offers I might need to decline This helps a lot with my strategy going forward. I'll keep applying to meet my requirements but focus my serious efforts on positions closer to my previous wage.
One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you're familiar with your local WorkSource office resources too. They often have job fairs and networking events that count toward your weekly activities, and sometimes employers at these events are more flexible on salary negotiations since they're actively recruiting. I found a couple good leads that way when I was in a similar situation last year. Plus the WorkSource counselors can help you practice explaining salary requirements diplomatically during interviews, which comes in handy if you do get calls for those lower-paying positions you applied to.
DeShawn Washington
Has anyone noticed how ESD seems to be pushing people into lower wage jobs faster than they used to? Back in 2020 they were way more understanding about waiting for the right job match. Now they're just trying to get everyone off the system asap!
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Tyrone Hill
•The rules haven't actually changed, but enforcement definitely varies based on the unemployment rate and available funding. When unemployment is low (like now), they tend to be stricter about job search requirements and suitable work provisions.
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Toot-n-Mighty
One more thing to consider: If you've been in your industry for a long time, you might qualify for Training Benefits or Commissioner-Approved Training that would allow you to maintain benefits while seeking work exclusively in your field or even while retraining. Worth looking into if you're concerned about being forced to take unsuitable work.
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Anderson Prospero
•I've been in IT project management for 8 years - would that qualify as "a long time" for these training benefits? I'll definitely research this option. I'd much rather find the right role than jump into something that doesn't utilize my skills.
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