Can IHSS workers collect unemployment in Washington state?

I do get W-2s from the agency so that's good news. Do I need to only look for IHSS work or can I apply for other jobs too?

You can apply for any suitable work, not just IHSS. Washington ESD considers your skills and experience when determining what's suitable.

How long did it take for your claim to get approved? I'm worried about the gap in income.

Mine took about 2 weeks but that was before they got really backed up. Nowadays it might take longer unfortunately.

Never heard of that before. Is it legit or one of those scam services?

It's totally legitimate. They don't ask for your personal info or anything sketchy, just help you get connected to an actual Washington ESD representative.

I used Claimyr too when my claim was stuck in adjudication. Worked exactly like they said it would.

It depends on how you're classified. If the agency treats you as an employee and takes out taxes, you're covered. If you're a true independent contractor, then no.

oh ok that makes sense. she might be 1099 then

That's a good point. I can work various schedules though and have experience with different types of clients.

As long as you're genuinely looking for work and available to accept suitable positions, you should be fine. Document your job search activities carefully.

How do you report partial work? Do you still file weekly claims even if you work a few hours?

Yes, you still file your weekly claim and report the hours and gross wages. They'll reduce your benefit amount proportionally but you can still collect partial benefits.

They do have guidelines, but every situation is a bit different. That's why it's good to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD if you're unsure.

Exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - sometimes you just need to speak with an actual person to get clarity on your specific situation.

Are there specific places I should be looking for IHSS work to meet the job search requirement?

Care.com, Indeed, local senior centers, and directly with home care agencies. Make sure to log everything in your WorkSourceWA account.

Tell me about it. I tried calling 47 times one day and never got through.

That's exactly why services like Claimyr exist - to bypass all that hold time frustration.

All my payments go through the agency so I think I'm good there. They handle all the tax stuff.

Perfect, then you should be all set. Just file online and wait for them to process your claim.

Ugh 6 weeks? I really hope mine doesn't take that long. Did she have to provide extra documentation?

yeah she had to get letters from the agencies confirming her employment dates and wages. was a real pain

What's the best way to stay on top of requests? Do they email you or just update your online account?

Both usually, but definitely check your SecureAccess Washington account regularly. Sometimes the email notifications are delayed.

Oh good point, I should probably get something in writing about why my assignment ended.

Yeah better to have it ready than scramble for it later if they ask during adjudication.

Yes, that's called partial unemployment. You can still file a claim if your hours or wages were reduced through no fault of your own.

Good to know, thanks! The process is the same as regular unemployment?

Same application process, you just report your reduced hours when you file your weekly claims.

What's the difference? My client passed away so the work just ended.

That would be considered an involuntary separation, which is good for unemployment purposes. You didn't quit or get fired for cause.

I've only worked through one agency but I've had different clients over the two years. Do I need to list each client separately?

no just the agency. theyll have records of all your assignments

Can I count networking activities or just formal applications?

You can count networking contacts as long as you document them properly - who you talked to, when, and what was discussed.

That's frustrating. Did you appeal the decision?

Yeah I appealed and won, but it took months to resolve. Document everything carefully from the start.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I'm going to file this weekend and see what happens.

Good luck! And remember, if you run into issues getting through to Washington ESD, Claimyr can really help speed up the process of reaching an agent.

That's good to know. I had one quarter where I was working with three different clients so hopefully that helps.

Exactly! Washington ESD uses your best quarter to calculate benefits, so those higher earning periods really matter.