Can I file unemployment with Washington ESD - eligibility requirements question

That's good to know! Do I need to wait until I'm completely laid off or can I file now with the reduced hours?

You can file now. The key is that your hours were reduced through no fault of your own. Make sure to keep track of all your work hours and earnings for your weekly claims.

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

Mine took about 2 weeks to process, but that was during a busy period. Just make sure all your information is accurate when you file.

I started working there in March 2024, so I should have earnings in multiple quarters by now. How much do I need to have earned?

You need at least $1,000 in your highest earning quarter and total base period wages of at least 1.25 times your highest quarter. So if your highest quarter was $2,000, you'd need at least $2,500 total.

I've heard the phone lines are impossible to get through to. Does that service actually work?

It worked for me. I was able to speak with an actual Washington ESD agent within a few hours instead of spending days trying to call myself.

I am looking for other work, but should I quit my current job to focus on job searching full time?

Don't quit! That would disqualify you from benefits. Keep the reduced hours job while looking for additional work or a better position.

Exactly what they said - quitting voluntarily will disqualify you unless you have good cause. Keep working those few hours and document your job search activities.

What kind of information do I need to report on the weekly claims?

all your work hours and gross earnings for that week, plus any job search activities you did

I can work full time and I'm looking for full-time positions. Should be fine on that requirement.

Good. Just remember to keep records of your job search activities. Washington ESD can audit your claim and ask for proof that you were actively looking for work.

Is there any downside to filing if I'm not sure I qualify?

Not really. Worst case they deny your claim and you're in the same position you are now. But if you qualify, you could be missing out on benefits you're entitled to.

Why would they contest it if they're the ones who cut my hours?

Some employers contest all claims automatically because it affects their unemployment tax rates. It's frustrating but it happens.

This is another reason why Claimyr can be helpful - if your claim gets stuck in adjudication, you can use their service to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD about the status instead of just waiting.

How do they calculate partial benefits? Is it based on the hours I lost?

It's based on your reduced earnings. They calculate what your weekly benefit would be if you were fully unemployed, then subtract a portion of what you're still earning from your reduced hours.

That's exactly what I'm worried about. My manager keeps saying it's temporary but it's been weeks with no improvement.

just document everything - when they told you about the cuts, what they said about it being temporary, your actual hours each week. that way you have proof if they try to contest your claim

I have my recent pay stubs. Should I get something in writing from my manager about the hour cuts?

If you can get it in writing, that's ideal. Even a text message or email acknowledging the hour reduction can be helpful documentation.

I haven't heard of WorkSourceWA. Is that separate from filing the unemployment claim?

Yes, it's Washington state's job search website. You need to create a profile there and use it to track your job search activities. It's required for most unemployment claimants.

That's reassuring. I was worried about technical problems based on some old posts I found online.

Those old posts are from when the system was overwhelmed. It's much more stable now, though you might still have trouble getting through by phone during busy times.

How much does that cost though? If I'm already struggling financially, I don't want to pay for something I can do myself.

I think the peace of mind was worth it for me, especially when I was stressed about my claim status. But you can try calling yourself first and use it as a backup if you get frustrated.

What counts as job search activities? Just applying for jobs or other things too?

Applying for jobs, networking, attending job fairs, skills training, even setting up profiles on job websites. Keep a log of what you did, where, and when.

Thanks for all the helpful advice everyone. I'm going to gather my documents and file this week.

Smart move. Don't hesitate to ask questions here if you run into any issues during the process. This community is pretty good at helping each other navigate the Washington ESD system.

How often do I need to file the weekly claims and is there a deadline?

every week on the same day, usually sunday. if you miss it you only have a few days to file late before they close that week permanently

3 weeks seems reasonable. Did you have any issues with your employer contesting the claim?

No, they didn't contest it. I think they knew they had cut everyone's hours and couldn't really argue against it. Having documentation of the schedule changes definitely helped.

Is there a way to check this before I file the full application?

The Washington ESD website has some calculators and information about base period requirements. You can also call them, though like others mentioned, getting through can be challenging.

Or use Claimyr to get through to an agent who can check your earnings history and tell you if you qualify before you file. That way you're not wasting time on an application that will get denied.