Been working part time while on unemployment for 6 weeks now and haven't had any issues. The key is just being consistent and accurate with your reporting. Washington ESD's system handles it pretty smoothly once you get in the routine.

This is really encouraging to read through everyone's experiences! I'm in a similar situation where I might have the opportunity to pick up some freelance work while collecting benefits. From what I'm understanding, the main things to remember are: 1) Always report ALL work and earnings on your weekly claim, 2) Report gross earnings not net, 3) Report for the week you actually worked not when you got paid, 4) Keep detailed records of everything, and 5) Continue your job search activities. The $5 disregard plus gradual reduction actually makes it worthwhile to take part-time work. Thanks for all the detailed explanations - this community is so helpful for navigating Washington ESD!

Just as an FYI for anyone reading this thread later - always keep BOTH ESD phone numbers saved in your contacts: 1-800-318-6022 (main ESD number) 1-800-699-0998 (weekly claims only) Also, remember that you can file weekly claims Sunday through Saturday, but it's best to file early in the week. If you wait until Saturday and have technical issues, you might miss the deadline!

Just wanted to add another tip for anyone who might be reading this thread - if you're having trouble with the automated phone system, make sure you're entering your Social Security Number slowly and clearly. Sometimes the system doesn't pick up the numbers if you press them too quickly. Also, if you get disconnected or the system seems unresponsive, wait a few minutes before calling back - sometimes there's high volume on weekends and the system gets overloaded. Glad you got it sorted out Steven!

Bottom line for OP - at $18/hour full time you're probably looking at $400-500 per week before taxes. File your claim and you'll get the exact amount in your determination letter within 1-2 weeks.

I went through this same situation last year when I was making about $18.50/hour. My weekly benefit ended up being $436 per week. The key thing to remember is they look at your highest earning quarter in your base period, not just your most recent wages. So if you had a quarter where you worked overtime or got a raise, that could bump up your weekly amount. Also make sure you apply online through the Washington ESD website - it's way faster than trying to call them. The whole process took about 2 weeks from filing to getting my first payment.

awesome! glad its working out. yeah the first payment is always the most stressful cuz you dont know what to expect and ESD doesnt exactly make it clear how long things take lol

Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - if you're ever unsure about your payment status, the "Payment History" section in eServices is really helpful. It shows exactly which weeks are paid, processing, or pending. Also, if you do end up needing to call ESD, try calling right when they open at 8 AM - you'll have a much better chance of getting through than calling later in the day when the lines are swamped.

One last thing - make sure you have all your employment information handy when you file (dates of employment, employer address, supervisor names, etc.). Makes the process much smoother if you have everything ready.

Don't get discouraged if the process takes longer than expected! I was fired for attendance issues similar to yours and it took about 6 weeks total to get my first payment, but I did get approved. The adjudication interview was actually pretty straightforward - they just wanted to understand the specific circumstances of each absence. Having any kind of documentation (even text messages to your supervisor about being sick) can really help your case. The most important thing is to stay on top of your weekly filings and respond promptly to any requests for information from Washington ESD.