Can I file for partial unemployment benefits in Washington?

Yes, Washington allows partial unemployment benefits! You file the same regular UI claim as anyone else would. The key is that you have to meet the earnings threshold - basically your reduced wages have to be low enough that you'd still qualify for some benefit amount after they deduct your earnings.

That's great to hear! Do you know what the earnings threshold is? Like how much can I make and still get some benefits?

It depends on your weekly benefit amount. They let you earn up to a certain amount without it affecting your benefits, then they reduce your benefits dollar for dollar after that. The exact formula is on the Washington ESD website.

I did partial unemployment last year when my restaurant cut everyone's shifts. You definitely can file for it through the regular claim process. Just make sure you report your earnings accurately on your weekly claims - they'll catch it if you don't and you could end up with an overpayment.

How long did it take for your claim to get approved? I'm worried about the wait time.

Mine took about 2 weeks to process, but this was during a slower period. Make sure you have all your employment documentation ready when you file.

Been trying to call Washington ESD for 3 days to ask about partial benefits and can't get through. The phone system is completely overwhelmed. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there recently?

I had the same problem last month - kept getting disconnected or stuck in the queue for hours. I ended up using this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. You can check them out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit - they basically handle the calling process for you so you don't have to sit on hold. I was skeptical too but it saved me tons of time and frustration.

The partial unemployment system in Washington is actually pretty straightforward once you understand it. You file a regular claim, then report your part-time earnings on your weekly claims. Washington ESD has what's called a 'disregard' amount - you can earn up to 1/4 of your weekly benefit amount without any reduction. After that, they reduce your benefits dollar for dollar.

This is really helpful! So if my weekly benefit amount was $300, I could earn up to $75 without any reduction?

Exactly right. And even if you earn more than that $75, you might still get partial benefits as long as your total earnings don't exceed your full weekly benefit amount plus the disregard.

Wait I'm confused - so you can make more money working part time plus unemployment than just working part time? That seems weird.

Not quite - the system is designed so you're never worse off for working. But you won't make more than your full weekly benefit amount through the combination of work and benefits.

Just be prepared for the job search requirements even with partial unemployment. You still have to do job search activities and be available for full-time work. They don't make exceptions just because you're working part-time.

Oh I didn't think about that. So I'd still need to apply for other jobs even though I have a part-time job?

Yes, you have to meet the same job search requirements as everyone else - usually 3 job search activities per week and you have to be ready to accept full-time work if offered.

I tried to file for partial unemployment when my hours got cut but got denied because apparently I didn't have enough hours in my base period or something like that. Make sure you check your eligibility first before going through the whole process.

How do I check if I have enough hours? I've been at this job for about 8 months.

You need to have worked in at least 2 quarters of your base period and earned a minimum amount. 8 months should be enough if you were working decent hours before the cut.

The Washington ESD website has a calculator where you can estimate your weekly benefit amount. I'd recommend using that before you file so you know what to expect. It's under the 'Benefits Calculator' section.

That's a great tip, thanks! I'll check that out before I file my claim.

One thing to watch out for - make sure your employer knows you're filing for partial unemployment. Some employers get weird about it and might try to mess with your remaining hours. You have rights but it's better to communicate upfront.

Do I need to tell them before I file or after I get approved?

I'd tell them when you file. They're going to find out anyway when Washington ESD contacts them to verify your employment and wages.

Been on partial unemployment for 3 months now and it's been a lifesaver. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week - even if you didn't work that week or made too much to get benefits. Missing a week can mess up your whole claim.

Good to know! How do the weekly claims work exactly? Do I report my gross or net earnings?

Always report gross earnings (before taxes). And report it for the week you actually worked, not when you got paid.

The whole system is so confusing honestly. I've been trying to figure out if my situation qualifies for weeks. Sometimes I work 15 hours, sometimes 25, depending on the schedule. Does that still count as partial unemployment?

Variable hours definitely qualify for partial unemployment as long as you meet the basic eligibility requirements. You just report whatever you actually earned each week.

If you're having trouble figuring out your situation, that's exactly when calling Washington ESD would help. I used Claimyr to get through when I had questions about my variable schedule situation - much easier than spending hours on hold.

Filed for partial unemployment 2 weeks ago and still haven't heard anything back. Is this normal? I'm getting anxious about whether I did something wrong on the application.

2 weeks is pretty normal for initial processing. You should get a determination letter in the mail soon. Check your account online to see if there are any issues that need to be resolved.

My account just says 'claim under review' - no specific issues listed. I guess I'll just have to wait it out.

Pro tip: when you file your weekly claims for partial unemployment, be super precise about your earnings and hours. I got flagged for an interview because I rounded my hours one week and they thought I was being inconsistent.

Yikes, that sounds stressful. Did they end up approving your benefits after the interview?

Yeah it worked out fine once I explained, but it delayed my payments for 3 weeks. Just be exact with your reporting to avoid headaches.

I'm in a similar situation - hours cut from full-time to part-time. One question though: do you have to actively look for other jobs while getting partial unemployment or can you just focus on keeping your current part-time job?

You still have to do job search activities. The requirement is the same whether you're getting full or partial benefits - you have to be actively seeking full-time work.

That seems counterproductive if I'm trying to keep my current job. What if my current employer finds out I'm looking for other work?

I understand the concern, but that's how the system works. You're receiving benefits to supplement reduced income while you look for adequate employment.

Washington's partial unemployment program saved me when the pandemic hit and everyone's hours got slashed. The process is the same as regular unemployment - just file a claim and report your earnings weekly. Don't overthink it.

That's reassuring to hear from someone who's been through it. Any other tips for someone filing for the first time?

Keep detailed records of all your work hours and pay stubs. Washington ESD might ask for documentation later and you want to have everything organized.

Does anyone know if there's a time limit on how long you can collect partial unemployment? Like if my hours stay reduced for 6 months, can I keep getting benefits that whole time?

You can collect partial benefits for the same duration as regular unemployment - typically up to 26 weeks in Washington, assuming you don't exhaust your benefit amount first.

Good to know, thanks! I was worried there might be a shorter limit for partial benefits.

The hardest part about partial unemployment is the weekly reporting. You have to be so careful about which week you report earnings for - it's based on when you worked, not when you got paid. Made that mistake once and it caused a whole mess.

Can you explain that more? I usually get paid on Fridays for the previous week's work.

So if you worked Monday-Friday one week, you report those earnings on the weekly claim for that work week, even if you don't get the paycheck until the following Friday.

Been trying to get info about partial unemployment from Washington ESD for ages but their customer service is impossible. Finally got through last week using some calling service and got all my questions answered in 10 minutes.

Was that Claimyr you mentioned? I'm still skeptical about using third-party services for government stuff.

Yeah that's the one. I was hesitant too but honestly it was worth it just to avoid the endless hold times and busy signals.

Just want to add - if you're thinking about filing for partial unemployment, don't wait too long. There are deadlines for when you can file after your hours get reduced, and you don't want to miss out on benefits you're entitled to.

What's the deadline? My hours got cut about 3 weeks ago but I wasn't sure if I qualified.

You generally want to file within the first week or two after the reduction. You can backdate claims but it gets more complicated the longer you wait.

The bottom line is yes, you can definitely file for partial unemployment in Washington. It's the same process as regular unemployment - file online, report your reduced earnings weekly, and meet the job search requirements. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't get benefits just because you're still working some hours.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much more confident about filing now. Going to start the application this weekend.

Good luck! Just remember to be thorough and accurate with all your information and you should be fine.