Can a part time employee collect unemployment benefits in Washington?

That's such a relief to hear! Do you know how much I might be able to get? I was making about $400-500 per week before the cut.

The exact amount depends on your earnings history, but generally you can earn up to a certain amount per week and still receive some benefits. Washington ESD has a formula they use - you should definitely apply and see what you qualify for.

Oh man, I've been trying to call them too about my claim status. It's impossible to reach anyone at Washington ESD!

I ended up finding this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual Washington ESD agent. You can check them out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Finally got my questions answered!

Never heard of that before but I'm desperate at this point. How does it work exactly?

What counts as 'actively seeking work'? Do I need to apply for full-time jobs even though I still have my part-time position?

Yes, you'll need to document your job search activities just like any other unemployment claimant. This includes applying for suitable work that could supplement or replace your current part-time income. Keep detailed records in your job search log.

It's called partial unemployment benefits. If your hours get cut significantly through no fault of your own, you can qualify for some assistance. It's designed to help people bridge the gap when they lose substantial income but aren't completely unemployed.

oh ok that makes more sense then. never knew that was a thing

How do I know what the earnings limit is? I don't want to mess up my claim by earning too much.

It's based on your weekly benefit amount. Generally you can earn about 25% of your weekly benefit amount before they start reducing your payment dollar for dollar. But the exact calculation can be confusing - that's why talking to an Washington ESD agent is helpful.

Adjudication can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on the complexity of your case. With partial benefits, they sometimes need to verify your employment situation more thoroughly. Have you tried calling to check on the status?

I've tried calling Washington ESD dozens of times but never get through. It just hangs up on me after being on hold forever.

That's exactly what happened to me! Like I mentioned earlier, Claimyr was a lifesaver for getting through to Washington ESD. They handle the calling hassle so you can actually talk to someone about your claim status.

I've been working this job for 8 months, so I should have enough earnings history right? Or do I need a full year?

Eight months should be enough if you were working consistently during that time. The base period calculation can be tricky though - it depends on when you file and which quarters your wages fall into. The important thing is having sufficient wages reported to Washington ESD.

I understand the frustration, but the documentation requirements exist to prevent fraud. If your employer isn't cooperating with providing verification, that can definitely slow down the process.

My employer has been great about providing what they ask for. It's Washington ESD that keeps moving the goalposts and asking for more stuff!

That's a good point. I'm definitely available for more hours or even a different job. My current employer just doesn't have the work available right now.

Perfect, that's exactly the situation partial benefits are designed for. Just document your availability and job search efforts thoroughly.

How long did it take for your claim to be approved? I'm worried about waiting weeks without any income support.

Mine took about 2 weeks to get approved, but I've heard it can take longer if there are any complications with your employer verification or if your case goes to adjudication.

You must report ALL income when filing your weekly claims, including gig work, freelance income, and any other earnings. Failing to report income is considered fraud and can result in serious penalties.

Thanks for clarifying! Better to be safe and report everything then.

Good advice! I'll start keeping better records right away. Should I ask my manager for something in writing about the hour reduction?

Absolutely! Having written documentation from your employer about the reduction in hours can really help your case if Washington ESD has any questions.

Seasonal variations can complicate partial benefit calculations. If the hour reduction is due to normal seasonal patterns rather than economic conditions, it might affect your eligibility. Each case is evaluated individually by Washington ESD.

hmm that makes it confusing. guess i should apply and let them figure it out

Yes, losing one of multiple part-time positions could qualify you for partial benefits. You'd report the wages from your remaining job when filing weekly claims, and Washington ESD would calculate benefits based on your reduced total income.

That's helpful to know. The job search requirement might be easier to meet since I'm already actively looking to replace the lost position.

What kind of mistakes should I watch out for when filing online?

The biggest one is reporting gross vs. net earnings - they want your gross wages before taxes and deductions. Also be careful about the dates you worked vs. when you were paid.

Definitely! I'm hoping this is just a temporary situation until business picks up again or I can find additional work.

That's the right attitude. Use the time to build your skills and network too - it'll help in your job search.

I had that issue last week. Try clearing your browser cache and cookies, or try using a different browser. The site seems to work better early in the morning or late at night when there's less traffic.

I'll try that, thanks! The technical issues just add to the stress of an already difficult situation.

Several people have mentioned Claimyr now. Sounds like it might be worth trying if I run into issues with my claim.

Yeah, I was skeptical at first but it really did save me hours of calling and getting nowhere. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get clear answers.

That's great news! Gives me hope that my application will go smoothly too. Did you need to provide any special documentation for your part-time situation?

Just my regular pay stubs and the standard application information. I think it helped that my employer had already reported my reduced hours to Washington ESD through their system.