One more thing worth mentioning - make sure you fully understand the potential impact on your benefits if you refuse any additional hours your employer might occasionally offer. If you're receiving partial unemployment and your employer offers you extra hours for a particular week (even if it's still less than your original 40), refusing those hours could potentially be considered refusing suitable work. This is why clear communication with both your employer and ESD is crucial. Document everything, including conversations about your reduced schedule. If your employer ever offers you additional hours that you can't work for some reason, make sure to have valid reasons documented. I'd also recommend checking out WorkSource Washington's workshops - some of them actually count toward your job search activities and can help you understand the partial unemployment process better.

Hey Benjamin! I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when my hours got slashed from 35 to 18. Here's what I learned that might help you: 1. Apply ASAP - partial unemployment claims can take 2-3 weeks to process, so don't wait 2. When you file your weekly claims, be super precise about your hours and earnings. I kept a simple spreadsheet tracking every hour worked and every dollar earned before taxes 3. For job searches, online applications through Indeed/LinkedIn count, attending virtual job fairs counts, and even networking calls with former colleagues count as long as you document them properly 4. Get a letter from your employer NOW stating they reduced your hours due to business needs (not your request). This will save you headaches later if ESD questions anything The partial benefits won't replace your full paycheck, but every bit helps when you're trying to keep up with bills. In my case, I got about $240/week in partial benefits which covered my car payment and part of rent. One last tip - set up direct deposit if you haven't already. Paper checks take forever and you don't want payment delays when money's already tight. Good luck!

Just wanted to add that if you're really struggling to reach Washington ESD for questions, that Claimyr service people mentioned actually worked for me too. Used it to clarify some stuff about my job search requirements and got through in like 20 minutes instead of wasting my whole day trying to call.

Just want to emphasize what others have said - don't wait to file your appeal! I made the mistake of trying to gather "perfect" documentation before submitting and almost missed the 30-day deadline. You can always add more evidence later, but once that deadline passes, you're out of luck. File the basic appeal first, then work on strengthening your case. Washington ESD is very strict about those timelines and won't make exceptions for almost any reason.

My cousin was making around $1600 monthly and I think he got about $225 weekly when he was on unemployment last year. But more importantly, don't forget that you'll also qualify for the EBT food benefits while on unemployment which helps a lot with groceries. You should apply for that right away too!

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble with the ESD online calculator, try calling the TeleCert line at 800-318-6022 - sometimes it's easier to get benefit estimates over the phone than trying to navigate their website. Also, since you mentioned you worked in a restaurant, make sure you have all your pay stubs handy when you apply because they'll want to see documented proof of your wages and any reported tips. The whole process can feel overwhelming at first but it sounds like you're being smart about planning ahead!

Last thought - consider consulting with an employment attorney before you quit. Many offer free consultations and can tell you if your situation likely qualifies for good cause. Better to know upfront than find out after you've already quit.

Just went through this exact situation myself. The combination of harassment and significant hour cuts you're describing could definitely qualify as good cause, but you absolutely need to document everything first. Start keeping a detailed log of every incident - dates, times, what was said/done, any witnesses present. Save all emails and texts related to the schedule changes. Most importantly, you need to show Washington ESD that you tried to resolve these issues before quitting. Even if your company doesn't have HR, document any conversations you've had with your supervisor or the owner about these problems. If you haven't formally complained yet, do that first and keep records of their response (or lack thereof). The adjudication process can take several weeks, so make sure you have some savings to cover that gap. But don't let the bureaucracy stop you from protecting your wellbeing if the situation is truly toxic.

Here's what might be happening based on my experience working with claimants: 1. If your benefit year has ended, you won't see the weekly claim option until you file a new initial claim 2. If you have an adjudication or identity verification issue pending, sometimes the system restricts weekly filing until that's resolved 3. If you reported earnings over your benefit amount for several consecutive weeks, the system sometimes automatically stops offering the weekly claim option 4. There could be a technical issue with the phone system - they do sometimes have glitches I'd recommend checking your claim status on eServices if possible (maybe at a library or friend's house since your internet is down). If that's not possible, you need to speak with an agent directly. Be prepared with your claim ID number and personal identification information when you call.

UPDATE: I finally got through! Turns out my claim had been flagged for an eligibility review because of my part-time work. That's why the weekly claim option wasn't showing up. The agent was able to reset something in the system and now I can file again. For anyone else having this issue - keep trying to reach an agent! Sometimes the system has issues that only they can fix on their end.