Can I file for unemployment as a student in Washington state?

Thanks! So I don't need to drop out or anything? I can work around my class schedule which is mostly MWF mornings.

Exactly! Just be honest about your availability on your weekly claims. Washington ESD understands that students can work and go to school.

That's actually a common misconception. Washington state allows students to collect UI benefits as long as they meet the work availability requirements. Your friend might have been misinformed or had a different situation.

Oh wow, wish I'd known that when I was in school! Good to know for future reference.

That sounds helpful! I've been trying to call but can never get through. Did they charge you anything for the service?

Yeah there's a fee but it was worth it to actually talk to someone who knew what they were talking about. Saved me weeks of confusion.

I've heard good things about Claimyr too. The ESD phone system is a nightmare to navigate on your own.

Good point! I was planning to look for remote work or evening shifts that don't conflict with my Tuesday/Thursday labs.

That's smart thinking. Remote work especially opens up a lot of opportunities for students. Just document everything in your work search log.

During finals week, you can mark that you're temporarily unavailable for that specific week. Just be honest about your situation and explain it in the comments section of your weekly claim.

omg thank you! I was so stressed about that part. The ESD website really doesn't explain this stuff well for students.

I think I do - I've been working since last spring and making about $800 a month. Should I gather my pay stubs before filing?

Having your pay stubs ready is always a good idea, but Washington ESD can usually verify your wages electronically. Still good to have them just in case.

Did they approve your claim right away or did it take a while?

It took about 2 weeks to get my first payment. No issues with being a student though - they just wanted to make sure I could work around my classes.

That's pretty fast for ESD! I'm impressed they processed it that quickly.

Oh shoot, I didn't think about that! I'm on partial financial aid. Thanks for the heads up.

Yeah, it's not always an issue but definitely worth checking. Better to know ahead of time than be surprised later.

That makes sense. I was worried they'd reject me if I said I could only work part-time hours.

Nope, part-time availability is fine as long as you're consistent about it. They just want to know what kind of work you're actually able to accept.

That's reassuring to hear from someone who works with this stuff regularly. Thanks!

No problem! Just make sure you file as soon as possible after your last day of work. Don't wait around - you can always withdraw the claim if you find another job quickly.

Same experience here with the phone system. I ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it was so much easier than trying to call myself.

might have to try that if i need to call again. the ESD phone system is awful

How many jobs do I need to apply to each week? The website mentions work search activities but doesn't specify for students.

I think it's 3 work search activities per week minimum, but that can include networking, job fairs, online applications, etc. Not just formal applications.

Correct - and as a student, activities like career center visits or industry meetups can count toward your work search requirements.

What kind of questions did they ask about your major? I'm worried about that part too.

just basic stuff like what you're studying and when you graduate. i think they just want to understand your situation better. nothing scary really

Good to know! So I need to file even during spring break when I'm not looking for work?

Yep, you still need to file but you can mark that you weren't available for work that week. Just don't skip filing altogether.

That's exactly what I needed to hear. I was worried they'd expect me to quit school or something.

Nah, they understand that students need to work too. Just be upfront about your limitations and you should be fine.

I was planning to file online. Did you have any trouble with the student-specific questions?

Not really, they were pretty straightforward. Just asked about my class schedule and availability. The whole process took maybe 30 minutes.

I'm not doing work-study, just regular part-time employment. But good to know in case I do an internship next semester.

Yeah, paid internships are usually treated like regular jobs, but unpaid ones or work-study can be more complicated. Always worth asking if you're unsure.

You're right, I should just go for it. Thanks everyone for all the advice! This thread has been super helpful.

Good luck with your claim! Come back and let us know how it goes.

Exactly! And remember, you can always reach out to ESD directly if you have questions. Don't let uncertainty hold you back from benefits you've earned.