Can students get unemployment benefits in Washington state?

That's encouraging to hear! Did you have any issues proving you were available for work while in school?

Not really, I just made sure to list hours I could work around my classes when they asked about availability.

I've been working consistently for 8 months, so I think I meet the wage requirement. What counts as restricting availability too much?

Generally, if you can only work very limited hours like just weekends or only certain days, that might be considered too restrictive. But if you can work 20+ hours and are flexible with scheduling, you should be fine.

Never heard of that service before. Did it actually work for getting answers about student eligibility?

Yeah, I was able to talk to an actual Washington ESD representative who explained exactly what documentation I needed as a student. Way better than trying to figure it out from their website.

That's a common misconception. Students CAN get unemployment benefits if they meet the same eligibility requirements as everyone else. The confusion might come from federal financial aid rules, which are completely separate.

oh okay that makes more sense. maybe she didn't have enough work history or something

I was laid off due to slow business, so that should count as no fault of my own. My schedule is pretty flexible too since I only have classes Tuesday/Thursday.

That sounds like you'd meet the requirements then. The Tuesday/Thursday schedule actually gives you a lot of availability.

Just make sure you're honest about your availability when you file. They'll ask specific questions about what days and times you can work.

How long did it take when you filed? I'm worried about the waiting period.

Still waiting unfortunately. My claim shows 'under review' but no other updates. Might try that Claimyr thing someone mentioned to see what's going on.

Good point, I didn't think about that. I'll have to look into how much it might impact my aid.

Yeah but you need money to live right now, worry about next year's aid later. You can always explain the circumstances to financial aid office.

I didn't know about the job search requirement. Is that 3 applications or just any kind of contact?

It can be applications, but also things like attending job fairs, networking events, or even calling employers to inquire about openings. Has to be documented though.

I understand the frustration, but students do get approved regularly. The key is understanding the requirements upfront and being prepared with the right documentation.

maybe you're right. i probably should have been more persistent

Work-study positions typically don't count because they're usually exempt from unemployment taxes. Your off-campus summer work would count though, assuming your employer paid into the UI system.

That's what I was afraid of. Guess I'll have to rely on just the summer job wages.

That's really helpful! How long did the whole process take from application to first payment?

About 3 weeks total. There was a one-week waiting period, then it took about 2 weeks for them to process everything.

Did you have to submit your actual class schedule or just describe it?

I submitted a copy of my schedule from the student portal, just to be thorough. They didn't specifically ask for it but I wanted to be transparent.

Hang in there! The process can be nerve-wracking but it's worth applying. Even if there's a delay, you might get back-pay from when you first became eligible.

thanks, really needed to hear that today

How much does something like that cost? Money's already tight as a student.

It's definitely worth checking out their site to see what works for your situation. For me, getting answers quickly was worth it instead of spending weeks trying to get through on my own.

Good point! I do some occasional tutoring. Do I need to report that even if it's just cash payments?

Yes, all income needs to be reported regardless of how you're paid. It's better to be over-cautious than deal with overpayment demands later.

That's reassuring! I was worried about mentioning I'm a student, but sounds like honesty is the best approach.

Exactly. They're going to find out anyway, so might as well be upfront from the beginning.

Yes, you should update your availability when your circumstances change. During summer break, you'd be available for more hours, which could affect your job search requirements.

Makes sense. I'll make sure to update that when the semester ends.

Same here! This thread has been super helpful. I'm going to file my claim this weekend.

Good luck to both of you! Come back and update us on how it goes.

Great advice! I'll start gathering all my paperwork before I apply.

Smart move. Having everything organized upfront can save you a lot of headaches later.

You should definitely apply! Sounds like you have a clear case for no fault job loss.

Yeah, they said it was just budget cuts, nothing I did wrong. Fingers crossed it works out.

This is incredibly helpful advice! I've been putting off applying because I wasn't sure if I'd qualify, but you're right about not waiting. The spreadsheet idea is brilliant too - I was wondering how to keep track of all the job search requirements. Did you find it hard to balance looking for work that would fit your schedule while also meeting the 3 contacts per week requirement?

That spreadsheet tip is gold! I've been worried about keeping track of everything properly. As a fellow student who just lost their job, I'm curious - did you find that employers were generally understanding about your class schedule when you were job searching? I'm nervous that being upfront about my limited availability might hurt my chances, but I know I have to be honest for the UI requirements.

@Giovanni Mancini This is exactly the kind of detailed advice I needed! I ve'been hesitating to apply because I wasn t'sure about the documentation requirements. The spreadsheet idea is really smart - I can see how that would help show you re'actively searching within your availability constraints. Quick question: when you were tracking job contacts, did you include online applications through company websites, or did they prefer more direct contact like phone calls or in-person visits? I want to make sure I m'doing the right types of job search activities from the start.

@Giovanni Mancini Thank you so much for this detailed advice! I m'definitely going to start my application this weekend after reading through all these responses. The spreadsheet idea is really smart - I was wondering how to properly document everything. One quick question: did you find that part-time or flexible hour positions were easier to get approved for job search contacts, or did you mix in some full-time applications too? I want to make sure I m'casting a wide enough net while still being realistic about what I can actually accept with my class schedule.

@Giovanni Mancini This is such practical advice! I really appreciate you sharing your experience. I m'planning to apply this week after losing my restaurant job, and the spreadsheet idea will definitely help me stay organized. Did you find that Washington ESD was pretty reasonable about what counted as suitable "work for" students? I m'wondering if they expect you to apply for jobs that would conflict with your class schedule, or if they understand that student availability is naturally more limited.

@Giovanni Mancini This is really valuable information! I m'in the exact same situation as the original poster - lost my restaurant job and taking 15 credits. The spreadsheet tracking idea is genius, and I love that you mentioned being specific about job search activities. Quick question: when you were applying for jobs during the semester, did you focus mainly on part-time positions that explicitly mentioned flexible scheduling, or did you also apply to some full-time jobs and explain your availability limitations in cover letters? I want to make sure I m'meeting the search requirements effectively while being realistic about what I can actually accept.

This is so reassuring to hear from someone who's been through the whole process! I'm particularly relieved about your point on being transparent about student status from day one - I was worried that might hurt my chances, but it sounds like honesty really is the best policy. The late-night application tip is really practical too, I hadn't thought about system traffic affecting the process. Your experience with financial aid is especially helpful since that's been one of my biggest concerns. Did you find that explaining the UI income during your aid review was straightforward, or did you need to provide a lot of documentation about the circumstances? I'm definitely feeling more confident about moving forward with my application now!

This is really concerning to hear - it sounds like you had a much different experience than some of the other students who posted here. I'm wondering if the policies have changed since 2018, or if it varies by case reviewer? Your situation with 30 hours/week for three years sounds like it should have clearly met the work history requirements. Did you ever try appealing their decision or getting help from an advocate? I'm planning to apply soon and now I'm worried I might face similar pushback despite having good work history.