Don't stress too much about the process. Washington state is pretty good about processing restaurant worker claims since it's such a common industry here. Your tips will be included in the benefit calculation, and you should be able to get approved without major issues.

As someone who just went through the unemployment process as a restaurant worker myself, I can confirm everything others have said - you absolutely qualify! Your tip income is crucial for calculating your benefits, so make sure you have documentation ready. One tip I'd add: when you create your online account, save your login info somewhere safe. You'll be logging in weekly to file claims, and it's frustrating if you get locked out. Also, don't be discouraged if the website is slow or crashes sometimes - it happens, especially on Sundays when everyone is filing their weekly claims. Just try again later. The whole process was less scary than I expected once I got started.

I'm in a very similar situation - my hours just got reduced from 38 to 25 per week and I wasn't sure if I qualified for anything. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about the Shared Work program or that there were alternatives to just applying for jobs to meet the search requirements. One question I have after reading everything: If I file my initial claim now but my hours reduction doesn't start for another two weeks, do I still need to file weekly claims during those two weeks when I'm still working full time? Or do I wait until my hours actually get cut to start the weekly filing process? Also, has anyone had experience with how long the adjudication process typically takes for partial unemployment claims? I'm trying to plan my budget around when I might actually start receiving benefits.

I went through partial unemployment when my hours were reduced from 40 to 24 per week about 6 months ago. A few tips that might help: First, definitely file your initial claim as soon as you know about the reduction - don't wait until it actually happens. The effective date matters for when benefits can start. Second, the weekly benefit calculation can be tricky to estimate beforehand. I was making about $18/hour and thought I wouldn't qualify for much, but between the partial benefit and the new $25 weekly supplement, I was getting around $180/week which really helped cover my rent shortfall. Third, keep really good records of everything - your old schedule, new schedule, pay stubs, any documentation from your employer about the hours reduction being involuntary. ESD may ask for proof that this wasn't your choice. The job search requirement was annoying but manageable. I mostly did online workshops and updated my resume/LinkedIn rather than actually applying places since I wanted to keep my current job. Just document everything properly. One last thing - if you have any issues with your claim getting stuck, don't waste weeks trying to call ESD. Use one of those callback services or try contacting your local WorkSource office for help navigating the system. The sooner you get it resolved, the better.

So glad to hear you got this resolved! Your experience is a perfect example of why it's crucial to act quickly when you see incorrect information on your claim. For anyone else dealing with similar issues, here are a few key takeaways from this thread: 1. "Processing" status with wrong separation reason doesn't mean you're doomed - it's often fixable before final determination 2. Keep trying to call ESD even if it's frustrating - sometimes persistence pays off 3. Have your layoff documentation ready (termination letters, emails about department closures, etc.) 4. Check your claim status regularly so you catch errors early Thanks for sharing the update - it gives hope to others who might be dealing with similar coding mistakes!

Wow, what a rollercoaster! I'm so relieved you got this sorted out, Keisha. Your story really highlights how these coding errors can happen to anyone - it sounds like it was just human error on ESD's end when they were processing your employer's response. For anyone else who might encounter this, I'd also suggest taking screenshots of your claim status at different stages. Sometimes these systems can be glitchy and having visual proof of what you're seeing can be helpful when talking to agents. Also, if you do get disconnected while on hold (which happens way too often), try calling right back - sometimes you get lucky and get through faster on the second attempt. Thanks for sharing your resolution - it's going to help so many people who find themselves in similar situations!

Great to hear it worked out! This is really helpful info for others in similar situations. BECU does seem to be pretty reliable with government deposits - I've had good experiences with them too. It's always nerve-wracking when you're counting on that money for bills, but at least now you know the typical timeline for future payments. Glad you made it through the adjudication process and are finally getting your benefits!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else who might be wondering about timing - I've been getting UI benefits for about 8 months now and the pattern is pretty consistent. When ESD shows "paid" on Saturday, the money hits my account (Wells Fargo) on Monday around 3-4am. When it shows "paid" on Friday, it usually arrives the same Monday. The only time I've had delays was during a federal holiday when banks were closed an extra day. One tip: if you're stressed about timing like the OP was, you can usually see pending deposits in your online banking on Sunday evening, even though they won't officially post until Monday morning. That at least gives you peace of mind that it's coming!

I'm going through this same situation right now and wanted to share what I learned from speaking with a Washington Apple Health representative. Your UI benefits of $600/week ($31,200 annually) would put you over the standard Apple Health income limit, but you may still qualify for Apple Health coverage with a small premium or subsidized marketplace coverage. The rep told me that many people on unemployment end up in what's called the "coverage gap" - too much income for free medicaid but still qualifying for significant help with marketplace premiums. I'd definitely recommend using the income calculator on wahbexchange.org that someone mentioned earlier, and don't forget that your UI benefits won't last forever, so your eligibility could change again when they end. The most important thing is to report the income change promptly so there are no issues later.

I've been following this thread closely since I'm in almost the exact same situation - receiving about $580/week in UI benefits and worried about my Apple Health coverage. After reading everyone's experiences, I decided to be proactive and called the Washington Apple Health line this morning right at 8am (thanks @Brianna Schmidt for that tip!). I actually got through after about 20 minutes on hold. The representative confirmed that my UI benefits would put me over the standard Apple Health income limit, but she walked me through the online portal to update my income information and check my options. What I learned is that even though I won't qualify for free Apple Health anymore, I'm eligible for a subsidized marketplace plan that would cost me around $75/month with my current UI income level. The rep also mentioned that I should report my income change within 10 days to avoid any overpayment issues later. She emphasized that it's better to be upfront about the UI benefits now rather than deal with potential payback requirements down the road. For anyone else in this situation, I'd really recommend calling early in the morning - the wait times are much shorter and the representatives seem to have more time to explain your options thoroughly.