Can I file for Washington ESD unemployment if I do DoorDash delivery work?

That's good to know! Do I need to report my DoorDash earnings every week when I file my weekly claim?

Yes, you absolutely must report all earnings from DoorDash on your weekly claims. Washington ESD requires you to report any income from work, including gig work, even if it's just a few dollars.

Oh no, that sounds terrible. How did you finally get it resolved?

Had to send them tons of documentation and kept calling. Eventually I used this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual Washington ESD agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

I did work at a restaurant for about 8 months before I started DoorDash. Would that count as qualifying wages?

Yes, that restaurant job would likely provide the qualifying wages you need. Washington ESD looks at your highest earning quarter and uses that to calculate your weekly benefit amount.

Wait, so the DoorDash income doesn't count toward qualifying for unemployment at all?

Correct - self-employment income like DoorDash doesn't count toward your initial qualification. You need covered wages from employers who paid into the unemployment insurance system.

It's because gig workers are classified as independent contractors, not employees. Traditional employers pay unemployment insurance taxes, but gig companies like DoorDash don't pay those taxes for their drivers.

That seems unfair to gig workers. We're working just as hard as regular employees.

So I'd have to actively look for a regular job while still doing DoorDash? Can I turn down job offers if DoorDash is paying me enough that week?

You have to be able and available for work, which means you can't turn down suitable job offers. If you refuse suitable work, Washington ESD could disqualify you from benefits.

This happened to my cousin. She turned down a restaurant job because she was making good money with Uber Eats that week, and Washington ESD cut off her benefits.

Washington ESD wants you to report gross earnings before expenses. So if you made $200 in DoorDash deliveries that week, you report $200 even though you spent $50 on gas.

That doesn't seem right. With gas prices, I'm barely making anything after expenses some weeks.

Unfortunately, that's how Washington ESD handles it. They don't account for business expenses when calculating your reportable income from gig work.

Did they put your claim on hold because of the irregular income?

Yeah, went into adjudication for like 5 weeks. I couldn't get through to anyone on the phone to explain it. Finally used Claimyr to get connected to someone who could review my case properly.

Claimyr really does work! I was skeptical at first but it saved me so much time trying to call Washington ESD.

Good point about keeping records. Do they audit gig workers more often than regular employees?

idk about more often but they definitely scrutinize irregular income more. better safe than sorry

So theoretically I could get benefits some weeks but not others depending on how much I make with DoorDash?

Exactly. If you have a really good DoorDash week and earn more than your weekly benefit amount plus $5, you'd get $0 in unemployment for that week.

That's correct. Washington ESD calculates partial benefits on a week-by-week basis, not monthly or over longer periods.

I feel you on this. The unemployment system wasn't designed for the gig economy at all.

That's discouraging. Maybe I should just try to increase my DoorDash hours instead of dealing with the unemployment hassle.

Don't give up! While the system has challenges, many gig workers do successfully collect partial benefits. It just requires careful documentation and patience.

Should I mention DoorDash in my initial application or wait until they ask about current work?

Mention it upfront. Washington ESD hates surprises and being transparent from the start will help avoid adjudication issues.

The $5 disregard applies to all earnings from work, whether it's gig work, part-time W-2 employment, or any other type of work income.

Thanks! So I'd combine all my earnings for the week when reporting to Washington ESD?

Yes, you report total earnings from all sources of work for that week.

DoorDash should provide you with a 1099 form at the end of the year showing your total earnings. Keep your weekly earnings summaries from the app as backup documentation.

I haven't gotten a 1099 yet since I just started, but I'll make sure to save my weekly summaries.

Screenshots of your DoorDash earnings screen work too. That's what I used when Washington ESD wanted proof.

Glad it helped! I'm feeling more confident about applying now too.

Same here. The gig economy is tough and every bit of support helps.

Do I need to apply for jobs in the same field as my previous work, or can I apply for anything?

Generally you should look for suitable work, which usually means jobs similar to your previous experience and at similar pay levels. But Washington ESD does have some flexibility in what they consider suitable.

After a certain period of unemployment, the definition of 'suitable work' can expand to include jobs at lower pay or in different fields.

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I think I'm going to give it a try and see how it goes.

Good luck! Don't hesitate to use resources like Claimyr if you run into issues getting through to Washington ESD.

Hope it works out better for you than it did for me! Just stay patient with the process.

That's a great suggestion about WorkSource centers! I hadn't thought of calling them directly. The main ESD line is always so backed up. Do you know if they can actually help with filing claims or just the job search part? I'm still trying to figure out all the requirements before I submit my application.

WorkSource centers can definitely help with understanding the job search requirements and registering in their system, which is mandatory for UI benefits. They can't file your actual claim for you, but they can walk you through what documentation you'll need and help clarify the work search activities that count. Some locations even have staff who specialize in helping gig workers navigate the system. I'd recommend calling ahead to see if they have anyone with that expertise available.