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This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a junior working part-time at a coffee shop near campus and just found out they're closing permanently next month. I've been hesitant to apply for unemployment because I wasn't sure if my student status would disqualify me, but reading all these experiences has given me confidence to move forward. It sounds like the key is being upfront about my availability and maintaining good documentation of my job search efforts. I especially appreciate the tips about using campus career services for job search activities - I had no idea those networking events and resume workshops would count! Planning to file my claim as soon as I get my final paycheck. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and advice!
@Natasha Orlova You re'making the right decision to apply! I was in almost the exact same situation last semester - working at a campus-adjacent business that closed down while I was a full-time student. The process was actually much smoother than I expected once I got past the initial anxiety about being a student applicant. One tip that really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to track all my job search activities from week one - it made filling out the WorkSourceWA logs so much easier and showed I was taking the requirements seriously. Also, since you mentioned the coffee shop is closing permanently, make sure you get any documentation from your employer about the closure like (a layoff notice or final pay stub as) that can help speed up the process. The fact that you re'being proactive and researching all this beforehand puts you way ahead of where I was when I started. You ve'got this!
@Natasha Orlova I went through something really similar when my campus bookstore job ended unexpectedly! One thing that helped me was reaching out to my former manager to get a letter confirming the permanent closure - Washington ESD really appreciated having that documentation upfront. Also, since you re'already thinking ahead about using campus career services, I d'suggest introducing yourself to the career counselors now before you even need them for job search activities. They often have insights about part-time opportunities that work well with student schedules, and building that relationship early made my job search much more effective. The fact that you ve'been working consistently while maintaining your studies is actually a huge strength - it shows Washington ESD that you re'serious about balancing both work and school. Don t'be surprised if they ask some follow-up questions about your availability during the application process, but as long as you re'honest about your schedule and show you re'actively looking for work, you should be fine!
I just wanted to echo what others have said about not being discouraged by the student status. I'm a senior at UW working at a local restaurant that had to lay off half their staff due to slow business, and I successfully received unemployment benefits last fall. The process took about 4 weeks from application to first payment, which included a brief adjudication period where they verified my work history and availability. What really helped was being completely transparent about my class schedule and work availability from the start - I included specific days and hours I could work in my initial application. I also made sure to document every single job search activity meticulously, including things like updating my resume through the career center and attending industry networking events. The weekly job search requirement of 3 activities is totally manageable when you realize how many different things count - even LinkedIn networking and informational interviews qualify. One piece of advice: if your claim does go into adjudication (which isn't uncommon for students), don't panic. Just be patient and respond quickly to any requests for additional information. The back pay makes the wait worth it, and you're entitled to these benefits just like any other worker who's been paying into the system.
This is such helpful and detailed advice! As a student who's been putting off applying because I was worried about the whole process, your experience gives me a lot of confidence. The 4-week timeline with back pay sounds totally manageable. I really appreciate the tip about being transparent with availability from the start - I was overthinking how much detail to provide but your approach of listing general time blocks makes perfect sense. The point about restaurant skills being transferable is encouraging too since I've been worried that my current part-time retail job might limit my options. It sounds like the key is really just being organized, honest, and persistent with the documentation. Thanks for taking the time to share such a comprehensive breakdown of your experience!
This is incredibly thorough and helpful! I'm a community college student working part-time at a local grocery store and was really nervous about applying for benefits after potentially getting laid off next month. Your timeline breakdown and the detail about adjudication being normal for students really puts things in perspective. I especially appreciate the specific advice about documenting availability upfront - I was worried they'd expect me to be available 40+ hours a week which obviously isn't realistic with my class load. The transferable skills point is something I hadn't really considered either. Do you have any advice on how to frame grocery/retail experience when applying to different types of positions? I've mainly done cashier and stocking work but I'm wondering if there are other skills I should be highlighting that I might not be thinking of.
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Remember you have to file your weekly claim every week even if you haven't received your first payment yet. Miss a week and you lose those benefits permanently.
Good to know, I'll set a reminder on my phone if I end up filing. What day of the week do you have to file?
You can file your weekly claim starting Sunday for the previous week. Most people do it Sunday or Monday to stay on schedule.
I was in a similar situation last year - part-time restaurant work and wondering if unemployment was worth the hassle. For someone making $18/hour part-time, you'll probably get somewhere between $250-400 weekly depending on your highest earning quarter. The application process is actually pretty straightforward online, and even if it seems like a lot of work upfront, the benefits can really help while you're looking for something better. Just make sure you have all your employment dates and employer info ready before you start the application. The job search requirements aren't too bad either - 3 activities per week which can include applying for jobs, updating your resume, or even networking. Definitely worth applying if you qualify!
Thanks for sharing your experience! That range of $250-400 weekly is really helpful to know. I was worried it might not be worth it for part-time work, but that could actually cover a decent chunk of my expenses while I look for something full-time. Did you find the 3 job search activities per week requirement hard to meet? I'm wondering what kinds of things count besides just applying to jobs.
The 3 job search activities per week is actually pretty manageable once you get into a routine. Besides applying for jobs, you can count things like attending virtual job fairs, taking online courses related to your field, networking events, even just researching companies and their hiring practices. I used to do a mix - usually 1-2 job applications and then something like updating my LinkedIn profile or taking a free skills course online. The key is just keeping good records of everything you do because Washington ESD can audit your job search log at any time. WorkSourceWA also has tons of free resources that count toward your requirements.
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Final thought - remember that the job search requirement exists to help you find work faster, not to make your life harder. Use it as motivation to stay active in your job search and you'll benefit even if you never get audited.
That's a great way to look at it. Thanks for all the help everyone!
As someone new to the Washington unemployment system, this thread has been incredibly informative! I just started my claim last week and was feeling overwhelmed about the job search requirements. It's reassuring to know that as long as you're genuine in your efforts and keep detailed records, the audit process isn't something to fear. I'm going to start documenting everything from day one - dates, company names, positions, application methods, and any responses. Better to be over-prepared than scrambling later if I get selected for review. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!
Welcome to the community! You're definitely taking the right approach by starting your documentation early. I wish I had been as organized from the beginning - it would have saved me a lot of stress. One thing I learned from this thread is to also include networking activities and informational interviews in your log, not just formal applications. Good luck with your job search!
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This is such a great success story! I'm currently in a similar situation where I have a job offer but won't start for several weeks. Seeing that you got it all sorted out with the standby status gives me hope that the process can actually work smoothly when done correctly. Thanks for sharing the update - it's really helpful to see the full resolution of these kinds of situations!
Yes, definitely follow Emma's example! I was in a similar spot last month and made the mistake of not reporting my job offer right away because I was scared they'd cut my benefits. When I finally did report it (after getting advice here), everything went smoothly and I kept getting benefits until my start date. The key is being upfront and accurate with the dates. Good luck with your situation!
This whole thread is incredibly helpful! I'm just starting my job search after being laid off last month, so it's good to know the process for when I hopefully find something. Emma, congratulations on landing the position - 4 months of searching must have been really stressful. It's reassuring to see that ESD actually handled this correctly when you reported everything properly with the future start date. I'm definitely saving this thread for reference!
Welcome to the community Vanessa! Sorry to hear about your layoff but glad you found this thread helpful. Emma's situation is a perfect example of how important it is to be transparent with ESD from the start. The waiting period between accepting an offer and starting work can be nerve-wracking, but as you can see, the system does work when you report everything accurately. Best of luck with your job search - hopefully you'll have your own success story to share soon!
Olivia Harris
one thing to remember is that once ur on TB, the benefits last longer than regular unemployment! i think its like 26 weeks vs the normal 13 weeks or something? dont quote me on the exact numbers lol but def worth it if ur doing a longer training program
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Alexander Zeus
•You're close! Regular UI benefits in Washington can last up to 26 weeks, while Training Benefits can extend that by up to an additional 26 weeks (for a potential total of 52 weeks), depending on your specific circumstances and training program length. This extension is one of the major advantages of the TB program for those pursuing longer educational programs.
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James Martinez
Update: I finally got through to ESD today! They confirmed that I CAN apply for Training Benefits while living out of state, as long as my unemployment claim is based on Washington work. The rep said I need to make sure my training program is on their approved provider list, which I can check online. If anyone else is in this situation - it is possible! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. I'm going to start my application this week.
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Drake
•Congrats! Let us know how it goes. I'm thinking about moving to Idaho next month but wasn't sure how it would affect my benefits.
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Amina Bah
•That's awesome news! I'm actually in a similar situation - been thinking about relocating to Nevada but was worried about my benefits. Did they give you any timeline on how long the TB application review process takes? Also curious what kind of IT certification you're planning to pursue - I'm looking at cybersecurity programs myself.
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