I'm in Washington and currently facing a similar situation with potential hour cuts at my job. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful! One question I have that I didn't see fully addressed - when you're on partial unemployment and doing the required job search activities, are you required to accept any full-time job offer that comes up, even if it pays less than your current part-time position? I'm worried about losing the job I do have if I'm required to take something that might not work out. Also, does anyone know if there are any restrictions on what types of work you can search for, or can you focus on positions in your field/experience level?

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when my manufacturing job cut everyone from 40 hours to 20 hours due to supply chain issues. Yes, you absolutely can file for partial unemployment benefits in Washington - that big of an hour reduction definitely qualifies! The application process was pretty straightforward through the Washington ESD website. Just make sure when you file your initial claim that you clearly indicate you're still employed but with significantly reduced hours. I got approved within about 10 days and the partial benefits really helped bridge the income gap. One tip: start keeping detailed records of your hours and earnings now, because you'll need to report them accurately every week when you file your weekly claims. Also, don't let anyone tell you that you can't get benefits while still working - partial unemployment is specifically designed for situations like yours where your hours get slashed through no fault of your own.

I'm also going through identity verification adjudication right now - been waiting about 2.5 weeks since I filed after my call center job was eliminated. This entire thread has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! I was starting to panic thinking I'd done something wrong with my documents, but seeing how common this is for first-time filers like myself really puts my mind at ease. I've been faithfully filing my weekly claims and just started doing the job search activities after reading everyone's advice here (wish I'd known to start those immediately!). The stories about people getting their back pay in lump sums once approved definitely give me hope that this waiting period will be worth it. It's amazing how many of us are in the same boat right now - makes me feel less alone in this stressful process. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and timelines - it really helps to know there's light at the end of this tunnel!

I'm in the exact same situation as you! Filed about 10 days ago after my retail job ended due to store closure, and I've been stuck in "adjudication in progress" for identity verification too. This whole thread has been incredibly reassuring - I was honestly starting to think I'd somehow messed up my application or that there was something wrong with my documents. It's amazing how many first-time filers are going through this exact same process right now! I've been religiously filing my weekly claims but made the same mistake as others mentioned - I wasn't doing job search activities because I thought "what's the point if I'm not even approved yet?" After reading everyone's advice here, I started documenting my job searches this week and being super detailed about it. The success stories about people getting substantial back pay once everything clears really give me hope that all this waiting and stress will be worth it in the end. The hardest part is definitely watching bills pile up while you wait, but knowing that 4-6 weeks seems to be the normal timeframe helps me stay patient. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in this process and that there's actually light at the end of the tunnel!

Based on everything discussed here, it sounds like you have a solid case for eligibility, Ali. The fact that you've been paying W-2 wages and unemployment taxes for 18 months is crucial. While your 60% ownership will require extra scrutiny, it's definitely not an automatic disqualifier. I'd recommend documenting three key things before you apply: 1) Create a formal board resolution documenting the business closure and your layoff (as Lucy suggested), 2) Gather all your payroll records and 941 forms showing consistent wage payments and tax withholdings, and 3) Prepare a clear timeline of when you stopped all business activities. The adjudication process might take 4-8 weeks, but you'll get back pay from your application date if approved. Don't let the phone system frustrations delay your application - you can always provide additional documentation during the review process. The key is getting that application submitted ASAP to establish your claim date. Good luck!

I've been following this discussion closely as someone who works with small business clients on employment law issues. Just wanted to add that Washington state's approach to S corp owner unemployment benefits is actually more favorable than many other states. The key factor they focus on is whether you were performing services as a bona fide employee, which your 18-month salary history clearly demonstrates. One additional piece of documentation that can be helpful is showing that you had regular work schedules, performance expectations, or other employee-like structures - even if you set them yourself as the owner. This helps establish the employer-employee relationship distinction they're looking for. Also, don't be discouraged if your initial application triggers additional review. Complex ownership situations almost always go through adjudication, but that doesn't mean denial - it just means they need to verify your employment status thoroughly. The fact that you've been consistently paying into the system gives you a strong foundation for approval.

Also, don't forget that even while working part-time, you still need to complete and document your three job search activities each week to remain eligible. I recommend focusing those job search efforts on positions closer to your normal wage/skill level while working the lower-paying job. Good luck with everything! The partial benefit option really saved me when I was in a similar position.

Just wanted to add that you should also keep documentation of your job search efforts while working the part-time position. ESD may ask for proof that you're still actively seeking full-time work in your field, especially since there's such a significant pay difference between your previous job ($32/hr) and what you're being forced to accept ($14/hr). I'd suggest keeping a spreadsheet with dates, companies contacted, positions applied for, and any responses received. This shows you're genuinely looking for appropriate work and not just settling for underemployment. It could be helpful if there are any questions about your continued eligibility. Also, once your adjudication is resolved, make sure to follow up if you don't see your back payments within a few weeks. Sometimes they need a little nudge to process everything correctly.

I went through this exact same thing when I moved from Colorado to Washington last fall! Got that scary denial email on day 2, then spent the next week checking my account obsessively. Finally got an updated monetary determination showing my Colorado wages after about 8 business days. The key thing is to NOT panic (easier said than done, I know). ESD's initial screening only looks at Washington wages, but if you listed out-of-state employment on your application, they automatically send wage requests to those states. The denial email is just their system being overly dramatic before the real processing is done. Keep filing your weekly claims no matter what the system says - this is crucial for getting backpay later. And try to resist calling ESD unless it's been more than 2 weeks, because honestly you'll just sit on hold forever and they'll tell you the same thing everyone here is saying.

Had this exact same thing happen when I moved from California about 6 months ago! That initial denial email is seriously misleading - it made me think I was completely screwed. But like everyone else is saying, it's just ESD's terrible way of communicating that they're still processing your claim. In my case, it took exactly 9 business days for them to get my California wages and send me a new monetary determination. During that time, the online system kept showing me as "not eligible" which was nerve-wracking, but I kept filing my weekly claims anyway (thank god because I got paid for all those weeks once it was approved). Pro tip: screenshot or save that denial email and any other correspondence you get. If for some reason the interstate wage request gets stuck or lost, having documentation of when you first applied will help if you need to escalate later. But honestly, in 99% of these cases it resolves itself within 2 weeks without any action needed from you. Hang in there - I know the financial stress is real when you're waiting, but this is totally normal and should work out fine!