This is such valuable information for those of us navigating retirement age employment! I'm 61 and haven't started collecting social security yet, but my company just announced layoffs coming next month. It's really helpful to know that when I do start collecting social security in the future, it won't prevent me from filing for unemployment if I need to. The fact that Washington state keeps these programs completely separate seems to make things much less complicated than I expected. Mohamed and everyone else filing claims - wishing you all the best with both your unemployment benefits and job searches!

Mohamed, I'm so glad this thread helped you feel more confident about filing! I was in a very similar position a few months ago - 63, collecting social security, and suddenly unemployed from my office manager job. The whole process seemed so overwhelming at first, especially with all the conflicting information you hear. But Washington ESD really did make it straightforward once I actually filed. My claim was approved without any issues, and like everyone mentioned, they kept the social security and unemployment completely separate. The hardest part was honestly just getting through on the phone when I had questions, but the online system worked fine for filing. Don't hesitate to reach out if you run into any snags - this community has been such a great resource. Good luck with your claim and job search!

Emily, I'm so glad this thread helped ease your worries! At 67, you're actually in an even better position than some of us since you're past full retirement age for social security, so there are no earnings limitations to worry about at all. I was really nervous about the whole process too when I first had to navigate this, but Washington ESD really does make it straightforward. The online filing system is pretty user-friendly, and as everyone has mentioned, they treat these as completely separate benefit programs. Just make sure to keep up with your weekly claim filings and job search requirements, and you should be all set. It's such a relief when you realize it's not as complicated as it initially seems. Wishing you the best with your claim and finding a new position!

Thank you so much for the encouragement and the tip about using "deferred start date" terminology! That's exactly the kind of specific language that could make a difference in how my claim gets processed. Your teaching situation sounds very similar to mine with the long gap between acceptance and start date. I really appreciate everyone in this thread sharing their experiences - it's made me feel so much more prepared and confident about filing my claim. I'm definitely going to use that phrase in my comments section and keep doing simple job search activities like browsing job boards. Thanks again for all the helpful advice and congratulations on the new job!

Great question about the transition! From what I've experienced, you should report your start date and any earnings on your regular weekly claim rather than trying to notify ESD separately. The weekly claim system is designed to handle these transitions. For your first week of work, just report the actual days/hours you worked and your gross earnings - ESD will calculate if you're still eligible for partial benefits based on their earnings threshold. The key is being accurate about your work schedule and pay. If you work full-time from day one, that weekly claim will likely be your last one. Just make sure to file that claim on time even if you think you won't qualify - it helps close out your claim properly and avoids any potential overpayment issues later.

@Ava Hernandez This is really great advice about accurate reporting! I m'curious about the job search requirement - how many job search activities did you typically need to log each week? And did ESD ever actually audit or check your job search log, or is it more of an honor system? I want to make sure I m'meeting all the requirements properly from the start.

@Ava Hernandez That s'really helpful about the accurate reporting - I definitely don t'want to create problems down the road with rounding errors. I m'just starting to consider partial UI for my reduced hours situation. When you mention keeping a log of job search activities, what format did you use? Did you just keep it in a simple document or does ESD provide a specific template? Also, did you find it challenging to balance job searching while still maintaining your current reduced-hour position? I m'worried about my current employer thinking I m'not committed if I m'actively looking elsewhere.

The accordion file folders are a great idea! I never thought of organizing by document type within each year. That would make it so much easier to find specific things if Washington ESD ever comes asking. Do you remember what size folders you got? I'm trying to figure out if I need the letter size ones or if legal size would be better for all these government forms.

I got the letter size accordion folders since most of the Washington ESD forms are standard 8.5x11. Legal size would just waste space unless you have a lot of multi-page documents that you don't want to fold. I actually ended up getting 2 folders - one for each year I claimed benefits. Each folder has about 6-7 sections labeled things like "Job Search Logs," "Weekly Claims," "ESD Letters," "Payment Stubs," etc. Makes it super easy to grab exactly what you need if they ever audit you. The whole system fits in one small filing cabinet drawer now instead of taking up half my kitchen table!

The 5-year approach sounds really smart, and I love the spreadsheet idea for tracking what's in each folder! That would save so much time digging through boxes later. Do you include any specific details in the spreadsheet like claim week dates or just general categories? I'm thinking about doing something similar but wondering how detailed to get with the tracking system.

Great question about high-demand training programs for construction workers! From what I've researched, some of the most in-demand certifications in Washington right now include electrical work (especially solar installation), HVAC systems, plumbing, and green building/energy efficiency certifications like LEED. Welding is also always in high demand here. Regarding part-time work while in Training Benefits - yes, you can typically work part-time while receiving benefits, but your weekly benefit amount will be reduced based on your earnings (just like with regular UI). There's usually a small earnings disregard, so you might be able to earn a little without any reduction, but definitely check with ESD about the specific rules for Training Benefits since they can be different from regular UI. I'd suggest looking at the WorkSource website for their list of approved training providers and in-demand occupations. Community colleges like Seattle Central, Bellevue, and Everett have great trades programs that are often pre-approved for Training Benefits. Good luck - sounds like you're being proactive about this which is exactly what you need to do!

Adding to what Mia said about high-demand programs - I'd also look into crane operator certification if you're interested in staying in construction but want better job security. Washington has a lot of infrastructure projects coming up and crane operators are always needed. The training is usually shorter than some other programs (8-12 weeks) but pays really well. Another option is to look into construction project management or estimating programs. With your 8 years of framing experience, you already understand the work from the ground up, which is valuable for those roles. Many of these programs can be done partially online which gives you flexibility. For the part-time work question - definitely report any earnings when you file your weekly claims, even small side jobs. It's better to be transparent and have your benefits reduced slightly than risk any issues with overpayments later. The ESD is pretty good about working with people who are honest about their earnings.

Thanks for mentioning apprenticeships! I hadn't considered that option but it makes a lot of sense, especially with my existing framing experience. The idea of getting paid while learning and potentially combining it with Training Benefits is really appealing. I'll definitely check out the BIAW website and see what apprenticeship opportunities might be available. Do you happen to know if there are any age restrictions or other barriers for someone with existing construction experience to enter an apprenticeship program? I'm wondering if being an experienced worker rather than a complete beginner affects the application process or placement opportunities. Also really appreciate the reminder about the long-term outlook for construction in Washington - it's easy to get discouraged when you're in the middle of the slow season, but you're right that there's a lot of development planned. Sometimes you just need that outside perspective to remember this is temporary!