Can seasonal employees collect unemployment in Washington - confused about eligibility
I've been working seasonal jobs for the past two years - ski resort in winter, landscaping in summer. My winter job at the resort just ended and I won't start landscaping until late March. Can I file for unemployment benefits during this gap? I've heard conflicting information about whether seasonal workers are eligible for Washington ESD benefits. I earned about $18,000 last year between both jobs. Anyone know the rules for this situation?
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Harper Collins
Yes, seasonal employees can definitely collect unemployment in Washington! The key is that you need to have earned enough wages during your base period and be able and available for work. Since you earned $18k last year, you should meet the wage requirements. File your claim as soon as your seasonal job ends.
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Donna Cline
AuthorThat's a relief! Do I need to report that I have another seasonal job lined up for March, or just focus on being available for work now?
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Harper Collins
You should report any future employment when you file, but having a future start date doesn't disqualify you from benefits during the gap period.
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Kelsey Hawkins
I'm in the same boat - worked at a Christmas tree farm and now I'm laid off until spring planting season. Been trying to call Washington ESD for three days straight but keep getting the busy signal or disconnected after waiting on hold forever.
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Dylan Fisher
I had the same problem reaching them last month. I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. Saved me hours of calling.
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Kelsey Hawkins
Never heard of that but anything beats sitting on hold for 3 hours just to get hung up on. I'll check it out, thanks!
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Edwards Hugo
Is that legit? I'm always suspicious of third-party services for government stuff.
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Dylan Fisher
Yeah it's legitimate - they just help you get through the phone system faster. I was able to talk to an actual Washington ESD agent within 30 minutes instead of the usual nightmare.
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Gianna Scott
Be careful about the 'able and available' requirement. If you're only looking for seasonal work or have restrictions on when you can work, Washington ESD might question your availability. Make sure you're genuinely seeking work during your off-season.
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Donna Cline
AuthorGood point - I am looking for temporary work during this gap, not just waiting around for my next seasonal job. Should I mention that in my application?
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Gianna Scott
Absolutely. Document your job search activities and be prepared to show you're actively looking for work, even if it's temporary.
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Alfredo Lugo
seasonal work is tricky with unemployment... my cousin worked at a pumpkin patch and they told her she couldn't get benefits because it was "expected" unemployment. maybe it depends on the type of seasonal work?
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Harper Collins
That's not accurate for Washington state. Seasonal employees are eligible as long as they meet the wage and availability requirements. The type of seasonal work doesn't matter - ski resort, agriculture, retail, whatever.
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Alfredo Lugo
oh ok maybe that was a different state or she didn't file correctly. good to know!
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Sydney Torres
I worked seasonal retail last year and collected unemployment between seasons with no issues. Filed online and got my first payment within two weeks. The key is filing immediately after your last day of work.
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Donna Cline
AuthorHow much did you typically receive per week? Trying to figure out if it's worth the hassle.
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Sydney Torres
I was getting about $340 per week based on my earnings. It definitely helped cover basic expenses during the off-season.
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
Make sure you understand the job search requirements too. You'll need to log your work search activities and be registered with WorkSource. Some seasonal workers think they can just wait for their next season to start, but that's not how it works.
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Donna Cline
AuthorDo I need to apply for non-seasonal jobs during my gap period, or can I focus on temporary/seasonal opportunities?
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
You need to apply for suitable work, which can include temporary and seasonal positions. The key is showing you're actively seeking employment.
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Caleb Bell
The Washington ESD website has a whole section about this but it's buried in their FAQ. Seasonal workers are definitely eligible if they meet the basic requirements - sufficient wages, able and available for work, and actively seeking employment.
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Donna Cline
AuthorI looked on their website but couldn't find the specific seasonal worker info. Do you have a direct link?
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Caleb Bell
I don't have the exact URL but if you search for 'seasonal workers' on their site it should come up. Or call them directly to confirm your specific situation.
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Danielle Campbell
ugh the washington esd system is so confusing. i work at a golf course that closes in winter and ive been trying to figure this out for weeks. every time i call i get different information from different agents!
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Dylan Fisher
That's exactly why I started using Claimyr - the inconsistent information from different agents was driving me crazy. At least with Claimyr you can get through to someone quickly to get your specific questions answered.
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Danielle Campbell
might have to try that, this is ridiculous. been calling for 2 weeks straight
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Rhett Bowman
I've been doing seasonal work for 5 years and collect unemployment every off-season. The process is straightforward once you understand it. File immediately after your last day, register with WorkSource, and do your weekly job search. Never had any issues.
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Donna Cline
AuthorThat's reassuring! Do you file a new claim each season or does it carry over?
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Rhett Bowman
You typically file a new claim each benefit year, but if you're within the same benefit year you might just need to reopen your existing claim. It depends on timing.
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Abigail Patel
One thing to watch out for - if your seasonal employer paid into unemployment insurance. Some agricultural and seasonal employers are exempt from paying UI taxes, which would make you ineligible for benefits from that employment.
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Donna Cline
AuthorHow can I check if my employers paid into the system? Both my jobs were with established businesses, not farm work.
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Abigail Patel
You can check your wage history on the Washington ESD website once you create an account. If wages show up there, the employer was paying into the system.
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Daniel White
honestly just file and see what happens. worst case they deny you and you appeal if you think they're wrong. better than sitting around wondering about it
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Donna Cline
AuthorTrue, I guess I'm overthinking it. I'll file this week and see how it goes.
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Nolan Carter
My brother works construction which is basically seasonal and he gets benefits every winter. As long as you worked enough hours and earned enough money, being seasonal shouldn't matter. Washington is pretty good about supporting workers between jobs.
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Donna Cline
AuthorThat's good to hear. I definitely worked enough hours - both jobs were full-time during their seasons.
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Nolan Carter
Yeah you should be fine then. Just make sure you file right away and don't wait.
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Natalia Stone
I tried calling Washington ESD about this exact question last week and finally got through after using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. The agent confirmed that seasonal workers are absolutely eligible for unemployment benefits. The key is meeting the wage requirements and being available for work.
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Donna Cline
AuthorPerfect! That's exactly what I needed to hear from an official source. I'll definitely file my claim this week.
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Natalia Stone
Good luck! The whole process was much easier than I expected once I actually got to talk to someone.
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Tasia Synder
Just a heads up - make sure you report any vacation pay or severance pay you might have received when your seasonal job ended. That could affect your benefits for the first few weeks.
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Donna Cline
AuthorI didn't receive any vacation pay or severance, so that shouldn't be an issue for me.
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Selena Bautista
The timing of when you file can also matter. If you file too early before your last day of work, it can delay your claim. Wait until after your actual last day to submit your application.
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Donna Cline
AuthorGood point - my last day was Friday so I can file today. Thanks for all the helpful advice everyone!
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Selena Bautista
You're welcome! Hope your claim goes through smoothly.
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Luca Ferrari
Just wanted to follow up - I successfully filed my unemployment claim online this morning! The application was pretty straightforward and I should hear back within a week about my eligibility. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice. It really helped me feel confident about moving forward with the process.
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