Can volunteer firefighter stipends affect my ESD unemployment benefits?

This is a good question. With volunteer work during unemployment, the critical factor is whether it interferes with your availability for full-time work. As long as you remain available for interviews and can accept suitable work, volunteer activities shouldn't affect your eligibility for benefits other than the stipend deduction. ESD looks at two main things: 1. The money - yes, you'll need to report the $40 stipend on your weekly claim 2. Availability - you must remain able and available for work I'd recommend documenting your volunteer schedule so you can show ESD that it's flexible enough for you to accept work if offered. The key with unemployment is always being able to demonstrate you're actively seeking work and available to accept suitable employment.

BE CAREFUL! my nephew did volunteer work at a food bank and didnt report it because he wasnt getting paid and ESD called it "refusing work" even tho it was just 6 hours a week!!! they can be really picky about this stuff even when your trying to do good

I was in almost the exact same situation in 2025! I volunteered with search and rescue while on unemployment. The key is how you report it. When you file your weekly claim, you'll be asked if you worked. You should answer YES, and report the hours and earnings (your $40 stipend). In the employer section, list the fire department. I wrote "volunteer stipend" in the notes section to make it clear. Never had an issue. My claims specialist actually told me they appreciate seeing people staying active and giving back during unemployment. Just make sure you're still doing your 3 job search activities each week and documenting them properly. Good luck with your job search!

the ESD system is designed to PUNISH pppl for working or volunteering while claiming benefits!!!! thats why they deduct everything! my friend lost ALL benefits because he forgot to report $19 from a one-time gig. NINETEEN DOLLARS!!! had to pay everything back and got disqualified... the whole system is rigged

I had SUCH a hard time getting through to ESD last year to ask about a similar situation (I was teaching one college class while on unemployment). After 20+ calls and being hung up on repeatedly, I found this service called Claimyr that actually worked! It got me through to an ESD agent in about 15 minutes instead of waiting for hours or getting disconnected. Here's their site: claimyr.com - there's also a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent I spoke with was super helpful and explained exactly how to report my part-time teaching income. They might be able to give you specific guidance on the volunteer firefighter situation too.

I think I read somewhere that volunteer work doesn't affect your claim as long as your still looking for full time work?? But the money part might be different because of the stipend thing. Have you tried calling ESD directly to ask?

I'm an employment counselor who works with ESD cases regularly. Here's what you need to know about volunteer work with a stipend: 1. Your volunteer firefighter position with a stipend is considered part-time work, not volunteer work in ESD's system 2. You must report the hours worked and earnings on your weekly claim 3. You'll use the formula: Weekly Benefit Amount - (earnings - $5) = adjusted benefit For example: $650 - ($40-$5) = $650 - $35 = $615 adjusted benefit 4. As long as you remain available for full-time work and complete your 3 job search activities weekly, the volunteer firefighting won't affect your eligibility 5. Document your flexibility - ensure your volunteer coordinator would allow you to change your schedule for interviews or work One additional consideration: if your volunteer hours exceed 17 hours per week, ESD may request additional information to verify you're still fully available for work. Just be prepared to explain your flexibility. Your desire to give back to your community during unemployment is commendable, and ESD generally supports this type of activity as long as work search requirements are met.

ive been on unemployment 3 times in WA and let me tell u, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!! take screenshots of all your weekly claims where u report the stipend, keep copies of your W2, save emails from the fire dept about your schedule. ESD makes mistakes ALL THE TIME and u dont want to get hit with an overpayment notice a year from now!