Can per diem employees collect unemployment benefits in Washington?

That's encouraging! Do I need to report all three hospitals as employers when I file, even the one that cut my shifts?

Yes, you'll need to report all employers and your earnings from each during your weekly claims. Washington ESD will calculate your benefits based on your total earnings.

How did you document your normal work pattern? I have pay stubs but they're all over the place with different amounts.

I kept a spreadsheet of my scheduled vs actual hours for each facility. Also helped that my supervisor at one place wrote a letter explaining the reduction in available shifts.

Never heard of that service before. Is it legit or just another scam?

It's legit - they basically call for you and get you connected to a Washington ESD agent. Saved me hours of trying to get through on my own.

I used them too when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Much better than wasting entire days trying to call.

The 'actively seeking work' part confuses me. Do I need to look for other jobs if I'm still employed at two places?

Yes, you still need to do job searches even for partial unemployment. The requirement is usually 3 job search activities per week in Washington.

What's the practical difference in terms of benefit amounts?

With partial unemployment, your benefit is reduced dollar-for-dollar after you earn more than $5 above your weekly benefit amount. So if your weekly benefit is $400 and you earn $300 that week, you'd get $105 in unemployment ($400 - $300 + $5).

That math doesn't seem right to me. I thought it was more complicated than that?

A lot of per diem workers don't realize they have these rights. The key is documenting everything - keep records of your normal hours vs reduced hours.

I've been struggling financially during slow seasons. Definitely going to look into this for next time.

How long does adjudication usually take? I can't afford to wait months for benefits.

Mine took about 6 weeks but I've heard of some taking longer. They need to verify your work history and the reason for reduced hours.

This is another reason why having a way to actually talk to Washington ESD agents helps. Claimyr got me through to someone who could explain exactly what documents they needed for my adjudication.

Should I be worried about my employers fighting my unemployment claim?

They can contest it but if you can prove the hour reduction wasn't voluntary on your part, you should be fine. Keep any emails or communications about the shift cuts.

What happens if I forget to report some earnings? I work at multiple places and it gets confusing.

Washington ESD will eventually catch unreported earnings and you could face an overpayment demand. Better to overreport than underreport.

I got hit with an overpayment notice for exactly this reason. Per diem makes the weekly reporting really tricky.

How would they even check that? Do they contact the hospitals directly?

They can and do contact employers during investigations. That's why keeping records of when you were offered shifts vs when none were available is important.

Exactly! It's frustrating that we pay unemployment taxes but then have to prove we deserve the benefits.

At least it sounds like it's possible though. I was worried I wouldn't qualify at all.

What kind of documentation should I gather before filing?

Pay stubs from all employers, any written communication about reduced hours, your normal schedule if you have one documented, and contact info for HR at each facility.

Also helpful to have a summary of your typical monthly earnings vs what you're earning now with reduced hours.

What was the reason for the initial denial?

They said I was still employed and didn't meet the criteria for partial benefits. Had to prove that my hours were cut involuntarily and significantly.

This is exactly why being able to talk to someone at Washington ESD makes such a difference. Appeals can be avoided if you can explain your situation properly from the start.

Thanks everyone! This has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident about filing now.

Just remember to keep detailed records going forward too. Makes future claims much easier if this happens again.