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Since you're filing for partial unemployment due to reduced hours, one thing that might help is to document your typical work schedule before the cuts happened. Keep any texts, emails, or schedules from your manager showing what your hours used to be versus what they are now - this creates a clear record of the reduction. Also, when you file your weekly claims, you'll report your actual earnings for that week, and Washington will calculate your partial benefit based on your weekly benefit amount minus a portion of your earnings (they let you keep some of your wages without it affecting benefits). The system is really designed to encourage people to keep working even reduced hours rather than becoming fully unemployed. Given that you worked consistently for 8 months at retail and the hour cuts are due to business slowdown rather than performance, you should have no problem qualifying!
This is excellent advice about documenting the schedule changes! I definitely have some text messages from my manager about the hour cuts, and I can probably get copies of my old schedules versus the new reduced ones. It's really helpful to know that Washington's partial unemployment system is designed to encourage people to keep working reduced hours rather than becoming fully unemployed - that makes me feel much better about filing while I'm still technically employed. The fact that they let you keep some earnings without it fully affecting benefits is also reassuring since I was worried about how reporting my reduced wages would work. Between all the advice in this thread, I feel like I have everything I need to file successfully this weekend!
Just want to echo what everyone else has said - your situation sounds like a textbook case for partial unemployment benefits! I went through something similar when my retail hours got slashed during a slow season. The application process really isn't as intimidating as it seems, and Washington's system is actually pretty user-friendly once you get started. One tip I'd add is to apply on a weekday morning if possible - I found the website tends to be less busy then and loads faster. Also, don't stress too much about having every single detail perfect on your first try - you can always provide additional information later if needed. The fact that you've been consistently employed for 8 months and your hour reduction is clearly due to business reasons (not performance) puts you in a really strong position. Good luck with your application this weekend!
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Just wanted to add that if you're still having trouble accessing eServices, you can also try using a different browser or clearing your browser cache. I had login issues last month and switching from Chrome to Firefox solved it immediately. Also, make sure you're using the secure.esd.wa.gov URL and not any other ESD website - there are some fake/scam sites out there that look similar but won't actually let you access your real account information.
Great point about the different browsers! I actually had a similar issue with the WA state unemployment site last year - it wouldn't work in Safari but worked fine in Edge. Also really important warning about the fake sites. I almost got caught by one of those scam sites when I was desperately trying to access my account. Always double-check that URL! For anyone new to this, the legitimate site is secure.esd.wa.gov - if it doesn't have the "secure" part or ends in anything other than .wa.gov, don't enter your login info.
Pro tip for anyone still struggling with this - if you're getting error messages when trying to access your 1099-G through eServices, try logging out completely, clearing your browser cookies for the ESD site, and then logging back in. I work in IT and see this issue a lot with government websites that have session timeout problems. Also, if you need your 1099-G urgently for tax filing and can't get it online, most tax preparers (H&R Block, etc.) can help you file without it initially and then amend your return once you get the form. Just make sure to estimate your unemployment income as accurately as possible on your initial filing.
This is super helpful advice, especially the part about clearing cookies! I've been working in customer support for years and you're absolutely right about government websites having session issues. One thing I'd add is that if you're using a work computer or public computer, sometimes the network security settings can interfere with these sites too. And great point about tax preparers being able to work around missing forms temporarily - I didn't know they could do that! For anyone who's really stuck, you might also want to try accessing the site from your phone's mobile browser instead of desktop, sometimes that bypasses certain technical issues.
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Thank you all so much for the helpful information! I'm going to start tracking my design work hours more carefully and report the gross earnings during the week I actually do the work. I'll make sure to stay under that 25% threshold when possible to maximize my benefits while I'm job hunting. This community has been way more helpful than the ESD website!
You're welcome! One last tip: when you do your weekly claim, there's a section for comments. I always add a brief note there explaining my self-employment situation (like "Reported $175 in graphic design work done this week"). It creates a record in case there are questions later. Good luck with your job search!
Just wanted to add my experience as someone who does freelance photography while on UI - I've found it really helpful to use a simple spreadsheet to track everything weekly. I have columns for: date of work, client/project, hours worked, gross earnings, and notes. This makes it super easy when I file my weekly claim and also gives me documentation if ESD ever audits me. Also, don't forget that if you work more than your "full-time" hours in a week (usually 40), you might be considered unavailable for work that week even if your earnings are below the threshold. The availability requirement is separate from the earnings deduction!
This is such great advice about the spreadsheet tracking! I'm definitely going to set something like this up. Quick question about the availability requirement - if I do like 45 hours of design work in one week, does that automatically disqualify me from benefits that week even if I only made like $100? That seems really harsh if you're just trying to keep your business afloat while job searching.
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Thanks for all the detailed info everyone! I'm in a similar situation - closing my small consulting firm and need to shut down the employer account. Sounds like the key steps are: 1) Make sure all quarterly reports are filed and current, 2) Pay any outstanding UI taxes, 3) File Form EMS-8050 through SecureAccess Washington, and 4) Keep confirmation documentation. Going to start gathering everything this week. Really appreciate this thread - saved me a lot of confusion!
That's exactly right Sophie! Just went through this myself a few months ago and that checklist would have saved me so much time. One more tip - if you run into any issues getting through to ESD on the phone (which seems pretty common based on this thread), don't hesitate to use that Claimyr service Roger mentioned. I was skeptical at first but it really does work better than sitting on hold forever. The whole process took about 6 weeks from submission to getting my official closure confirmation letter.
Perfect checklist Sophie! I'd also recommend calling to confirm they received your form about a week after submitting online. I submitted mine through the portal but never got an email confirmation, so I called to double-check it went through. Turns out there was a technical glitch and I had to resubmit. Better to catch that early than wait months wondering why you haven't heard back.
Just want to echo what everyone's said - definitely don't just stop filing reports! I made that mistake with a previous business and ended up with penalty notices for months. The Form EMS-8050 is absolutely the way to go. One thing I didn't see mentioned is that you should also notify the Washington State Department of Revenue if you have a business license, since closing your ESD employer account doesn't automatically close other state registrations. Learned that one the hard way too. Good luck with your restaurant closure Derek - 8 years is a good run!
Great point about the Department of Revenue! I wouldn't have thought about that connection. It's crazy how many different agencies you have to notify when closing a business. Derek, sorry to hear about your restaurant closing but like Diego said, 8 years is impressive! The restaurant business is so tough. Thanks for asking this question - I'm sure a lot of people will find this thread helpful when they're going through the same process.
Jay Lincoln
That's such a relief that you found it! I'm actually going through the exact same thing right now - trying to track down my business unemployment account number for a contractor application. I've been putting off dealing with it because I was dreading having to call Washington ESD. Definitely going to check my bank statements first based on your success story. Thanks for sharing the update!
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Diego Fernández
•@Jay Lincoln I m'in a similar situation with my small detailing business! One thing that helped me was checking my old email confirmations from when I registered for the SAW SecureAccess (Washington portal) - when you first create your employer account, they usually send a welcome email that includes your account number and login details. Also, if you ve'ever used any payroll apps on your phone like Gusto or OnPay, they store all your tax ID numbers in the mobile app settings under Company "Info or" Tax "Settings ."Another place to look is any old correspondence from your business attorney if you used one when setting up your LLC - lawyers often keep copies of all the registration paperwork including unemployment insurance documents. I m'crossing my fingers you find it in your digital files somewhere because calling Washington ESD is truly a last resort!
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Christopher Morgan
•@Jay Lincoln I m'going through the exact same thing with my small roofing business right now! One thing I discovered that might help is checking any old email confirmations from business credit card applications - when I applied for my Chase Business card last year, they required my Washington ESD account number for verification and I found it saved in my application documents folder. Also, if you use any fleet management software for tracking company vehicles, they sometimes store employer tax IDs in the business profile settings. Another spot to check is your old correspondence with any bonding companies if you ve'ever needed surety bonds for jobs - they always require proof of unemployment insurance coverage and keep those account numbers on file. I m'definitely trying all these digital options first before facing the Washington ESD phone system nightmare. Good luck with your contractor application!
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Hunter Brighton
I just went through this same situation with my small flooring business! One tip I haven't seen mentioned yet is checking your old emails from when you first set up payroll - if you use any payroll software like ADP, Paychex, or even QuickBooks Payroll, they usually send a setup confirmation email that includes all your state tax account numbers, including your Washington ESD unemployment account number. Also, if you've ever had to respond to any unemployment benefit claims from former employees, those determination letters from Washington ESD always have your business account number printed right at the top of the correspondence. Another place to look is any old workers' compensation audit paperwork - since both systems are connected through the state, your unemployment account number sometimes gets referenced in L&I documentation. Really glad to see so many people found alternatives to calling Washington ESD directly - their phone system is absolutely brutal to navigate!
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Chloe Anderson
•This is such a helpful thread! I'm just starting out with my small landscaping business and haven't hired employees yet, but I'm bookmarking all these suggestions for when I do. It's amazing how many different places your account number can be stored - bank statements, payroll software, insurance documents, email confirmations. I had no idea there were so many options besides calling Washington ESD directly. The fact that everyone seems to dread that phone call tells me I should definitely keep good records from the start!
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