Can I get ESD benefits with reduced hours while enrolled in school training program?

You should definitely be eligible for partial unemployment with such a significant reduction in hours. The key is that you need to report the 8 hours you ARE working each week on your weekly claim. ESD has a specific formula they use: if you earn less than your weekly benefit amount, you'll receive the difference (minus some deductions). As for the training benefits form - that's actually potentially great news! The Training Benefits program can allow you to attend school full-time while still receiving unemployment without having to look for work every week. Fill out all the details about your school program carefully - they need to verify it's an approved type of training.

i went thru this last year and it was a NIGHTMARE!!!! they kept bouncing me between regular UI and the training benefits and i ended up getting DENIED even though my hours got cut from 40 to 12!!! the training ppl said i needed to quit completely to qualify but the regular UI people said i should keep getting partial. took 6 weeks to sort out and I never got a straight answer.

The system actually handles this situation fairly well once you understand how it works. Here's the breakdown: 1. For PARTIAL unemployment with reduced hours: You remain eligible as long as your gross earnings are less than your weekly benefit amount. Report your 8 hours accurately each week. 2. For TRAINING benefits (Commissioner Approved Training): This is separate and allows you to attend school without job search requirements. You need to submit the Training Benefits application completely - the school information must match what's in their approved programs database. 3. You can potentially receive BOTH - partial benefits for your reduced hours while also being approved for the training program that waives job search. Key point: Make sure you're consistently filing weekly claims while this gets sorted out. Many people miss weeks thinking they're ineligible and lose benefits they could have received.

have u tried calling esd directly?? cuz that may be ur best bet with this specific situation. they can look at ur actual claim details n tell u exactly what u need 2 do

When I had a similar situation with reduced hours and school, getting through to an actual ESD representative made all the difference. After wasting days trying to call normally, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in under 30 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 - The agent was able to look at my specific situation and confirm that I qualified for both partial unemployment with my reduced hours AND the training benefits program. They explained exactly how to fill out the training form for my specific program too.

I think everyone is missing a reeeally important point here. The school thing is potentially a BIG problem. In WA state, you have to be available for full-time work to get unemployment. When you enroll in school, they often consider you NOT available for full-time work UNLESS you get approved for their training benefits program. That's probably why they sent you that form - they need to determine if your training qualifies under their rules. If not approved, your benefits could be denied even WITH the reduced hours.

My coworker went through something similar last year when our company reduced everyone to part-time. Dont quote me on this but I THINK the rule is that if your hours are cut by more than 25% you can qualify for partial unemployment. Your hours were cut by way more than that so you should be eligible. The school thing is a separate issue tho.

Update: I was finally able to get through to ESD (used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and it worked!). The agent confirmed I can receive partial unemployment for my reduced hours AND potentially qualify for the training benefits program since my field (healthcare admin) is on their approved list. I need to submit a couple more documents from my school about my program, but things are looking promising. Thanks everyone for the help!

thats great news!! hope it all works out for you - and i might try that service too since im still fighting with esd about some overpayment nonsense from 2 months ago ugh