Can students get unemployment benefits in Washington state?

Students can definitely get unemployment in Washington! I got it last year when my campus job ended. The key thing is you have to be able and available for work, which means you can't turn down jobs just because of your class schedule.

Washington ESD doesn't automatically disqualify students, but there are some important requirements. You need to have earned enough wages in your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters) and be able to work at least 20 hours per week. The tricky part is the 'able and available' requirement - you can't restrict your availability too much due to school.

I had a nightmare trying to get through to Washington ESD when I was dealing with this exact situation. Spent hours on hold multiple times. If you're having trouble reaching them, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent pretty quickly. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration!

wait i thought students couldn't get UI benefits at all?? this is confusing because my friend told me she couldn't apply when she was in college

The Washington ESD website has a section specifically about this. From what I remember, the main things they look at are: 1) Did you lose your job through no fault of your own, 2) Do you have sufficient wage credits, 3) Are you able and available for work. Being a student doesn't automatically disqualify you, but your school schedule can't prevent you from accepting suitable work.

I'm in a similar boat - lost my retail job last month and I'm taking 12 credits. Filed my claim two weeks ago and haven't heard anything back yet. Getting really anxious about whether it'll be approved.

One thing to keep in mind - if you're getting financial aid, unemployment benefits might affect your aid eligibility for next year. It's considered income on your FAFSA. Not saying don't apply, just something to be aware of.

The job search requirement is also something to consider. You'll need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and log them in WorkSourceWA. Make sure those jobs are ones you could actually accept given your class schedule.

honestly the whole system is set up to make it hard for students. i tried to apply last year and gave up after getting the runaround for weeks. maybe things have changed but i doubt it

Question about the work history requirement - do work-study jobs count toward the wage credits? I've had a work-study position for two years but also worked off-campus last summer.

I went through this process last semester and got approved. The key was being very clear about my availability during the application. I made sure to emphasize that I could work full-time during breaks and had flexible hours during the semester.

Just want to add that you should be prepared to explain how your school schedule won't interfere with work. I had to provide my class schedule and explain what hours I was available each day.

ugh this is so stressful. lost my job at the bookstore and rent is due next week. really hope this works out

For anyone still struggling to get through to Washington ESD, I can't recommend Claimyr enough. I was getting nowhere with the regular phone system, but they got me connected within a day. Really helped me get clarity on the student eligibility requirements.

Important reminder: if you do get approved, make sure you report any other income like tutoring or gig work. Washington ESD takes unreported income very seriously and it can lead to overpayment issues later.

My cousin is a student and she's been collecting UI for months with no problems. The key is just being honest about your situation and availability. Don't try to hide that you're in school.

Does anyone know if summer break affects your claim? Like, do you have to report that you're more available during breaks?

Been reading through all these comments and feeling more confident about applying. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! Really helps to know other students have made it work.

One last tip - keep good records of everything. Your work history, pay stubs, the reason you lost your job, your class schedule, everything. Washington ESD might ask for documentation at any point in the process.

This whole thread gives me hope. Lost my campus coffee shop job when they cut hours, and I've been stressing about money. Definitely going to apply now that I know students can qualify.

As someone who successfully navigated this process as a student, I want to emphasize that timing is crucial. Don't wait to apply - there's a one-week waiting period before benefits can start, and the sooner you file, the sooner that clock starts ticking. Also, when you're doing your weekly claims, be very specific about your job search activities. I kept a simple spreadsheet tracking where I applied, when, and what type of contact it was. Made the reporting process much smoother and showed I was genuinely looking for work that fit around my class schedule.

When I lost my server job in 2018, I was taking full time classes, but had been working for 30 hours a week for three years. I went through three months of fighting the unemployment department for not being “eligible” for unemployment. They said that because of my class schedule I was considered “not available for work” and I would only be approved for it if 1. I dropped out of school so my schedule was wide open or 2. I enrolled in a commissioner approved training program (CAT), which is like a tech school program. I was 8 months away from graduating with my four year degree, so I couldn’t do either of those things. I even showed them data on the projected annual job growth in the field I was getting a degree in and my consistent work history. It’s a huge flaw in the system that leaves university/college students vulnerable.