Can I keep partial ESD benefits while working 10 hrs/week in my industry?

Yes, you can absolutely claim partial unemployment benefits while working part-time! I went through this last year. Just make sure that when you file your weekly claim, you accurately report: 1. The hours you worked each day 2. Your gross earnings before any deductions 3. Answer 'yes' to the question about working ESD uses a formula where they deduct part of your earnings from your weekly benefit amount. Basically, you can earn up to 1/3 of your weekly benefit without any reduction, then after that they reduce your benefit dollar-for-dollar. So if your weekly benefit is $825, you could earn up to $275 with no reduction, then anything over that gets subtracted directly from your benefit. Definitely take the job if it's in your desired field - you'll still get partial benefits if your hours/wages are low enough, plus it might lead to full-time work later!

i did this for like 3 month last year. u just put the hours on ur weekly claim. super easy but sometimes the esd website is glitchy when u try to submit so make sure it actually goes thru!! one time i thought i filed but it didnt save and i almost missed my deadline!

BE CAREFUL! I started working part time and ESD MESSED UP my claim. They said I was committing fraud because I didn't report my hours correctly!!! I had to pay back $2,400 and almost got disqualified from all benefits. Make absolutely SURE you report every single hour worked and every single dollar earned EXACTLY as it appears on your pay stub. Don't estimate or round numbers!!! And keep copies of EVERYTHING!!!

I've been dealing with this exact situation since January. Here's what I've learned trying to reach ESD about part-time work issues: 1. Trying to get through to ESD by phone to ask questions is nearly impossible with regular methods - I spent 4+ hours on hold multiple times only to get disconnected 2. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with an ESD agent quickly. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 3. The agent confirmed everything the first commenter said about the 1/3 formula and helped clear up confusion about how to report my variable hours Doing part-time while on unemployment is definitely allowed, but having specific questions answered about your situation helps avoid problems. Getting through to an actual agent made all the difference for me.

question - does anyone know if accepting part time work affects your job search requirements? do you still have to do the 3 job search activities every week even if you have a part time job now? i'm confused about this part.

Update: I accepted the part-time position and reported my first week of work on my weekly claim. The process was pretty straightforward - I just had to enter my hours worked each day and the gross pay before taxes. My benefit was reduced but I still received a partial payment. Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm relieved I can gain experience in my field while still getting some unemployment support until I find something full-time.