Can you claim partial unemployment benefits in Washington state?

That's really helpful! Do you know how they calculate what you'd get? Like if I'm normally making $600/week but now only making $400?

They subtract your earnings from your weekly benefit amount. So if your benefit is $300/week and you earn $200, you'd get $100 in partial benefits. But there's also a $5 disregard, so you'd actually get $105.

Did your employer have any issues with you filing? I'm worried they might see it as disloyal or something.

Nope, they were actually supportive because they knew it wasn't their fault - business was just slow. Most employers understand that partial UI helps keep good employees around during tough times.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already tight on money which is why I need the partial benefits in the first place.

I was worried about cost too but it was worth it to actually talk to someone who could explain my situation properly. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Yes, you still need to be available and actively seeking additional work. This could mean looking for a second job or seeking full-time employment elsewhere. You have to log your job search activities just like regular UI claimants.

That makes sense I guess. So I'd need to keep track of applications and interviews even though I'm still employed?

Exactly. The state wants to see that you're making efforts to become fully employed again, not just collecting partial benefits indefinitely.

Three months? I thought there might be a time limit on partial benefits. Is there a maximum duration?

same as regular unemployment - you get up to 26 weeks worth of benefits as long as you keep qualifying each week

Should I give my manager a heads up that I'm planning to file? Or just let Washington ESD contact them directly?

I'd recommend giving them a heads up. Most managers appreciate the courtesy, and it gives you a chance to explain that it's not personal - you're just trying to make ends meet during a tough period.

definitely tell your boss first. I didn't and my manager was caught off guard when ESD called. created some awkward tension that could have been avoided

This is super helpful! How do I figure out what my weekly benefit amount would be before I apply?

Washington ESD has a benefit calculator on their website, but it's based on your earnings in your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters). The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is around $999.

Yes, you can still file with variable hours. You'll just need to report your actual earnings each week when you file your weekly claim. The benefit amount will adjust automatically based on what you earned that specific week.

That's a relief! I was worried the inconsistency would disqualify me somehow.

I've heard mixed things about those callback services. Did they actually connect you to a real Washington ESD employee?

Yeah, it was a legitimate ESD agent who had access to my file and everything. Made all the difference in getting my partial claim processed correctly.

Partial unemployment claims do count toward an employer's experience rating, but if the layoffs are due to economic factors beyond their control, it's generally considered a normal cost of doing business. Most employers understand this.

Good to know. I guess it's better than them having to lay people off completely, right?

Exactly! Partial UI helps employers retain trained workers during slow periods instead of having to hire and retrain later when business picks up.

How far back should I keep records? Just while I'm on partial UI or longer?

I keep everything for at least a year after my claim ends just to be safe. you never know when they might audit or ask questions

Good luck! The hardest part is just getting started. Once you're in the system, the weekly claims are pretty straightforward.

Feel free to come back here if you run into any issues during the process. Lots of people here have been through it and can help troubleshoot.

How long did it take for your first payment to come through after you filed?

About 2-3 weeks for the first payment, which is pretty typical. After that it was weekly as long as I filed my claims on time.

Good point! Fortunately I'm a regular employee, not a contractor.

yeah you should be good then. just wanted to clarify since some people get confused about that

You can work multiple jobs while on partial UI. What matters is your total weekly earnings from all sources. As long as that total is less than your weekly benefit amount plus $5, you can still receive some benefits.

That's great! So I could potentially pick up some gig work or a weekend job without losing eligibility completely.

Exactly, but make sure to report ALL earnings when you file your weekly claim. That includes tips, cash payments, everything.

Is there any other way to get help besides calling? Like email or online chat?

ESD has some online messaging but response times are really slow. Phone is still the fastest way to get real-time help with complex issues.

That's encouraging to hear! Makes me feel better about using the system as intended.

Absolutely! These programs exist specifically to help workers and employers navigate economic challenges. Don't feel guilty about using benefits you've earned through your work history.

Yikes! How long did it take to resolve the overpayment issue?

took about 6 weeks and several phone calls to get it straightened out. now I always review everything twice before hitting submit

Retail is exactly the kind of industry where partial UI makes sense. Seasonal fluctuations, economic changes - it helps smooth out those rough patches.

I'm going to look into filing this week. Wish I had known about this option sooner!

Definitely involuntary in my case - they just don't have enough work to keep everyone at full hours right now.

Perfect, that's exactly the scenario partial UI is designed for. You should have no problems qualifying.

Thanks for sharing your detailed experience! That 10-day approval timeline is encouraging - I was worried it might take weeks. Did you have any issues with the weekly reporting system or was it pretty user-friendly once you got the hang of it?

This is really helpful to hear from someone who went through the whole process! I'm in a similar situation with reduced hours and have been hesitant to apply. Did you find the job search requirement difficult to manage while still working your reduced schedule? I'm wondering how much time I'll need to dedicate to documenting job search activities each week.

@PaulineW Your experience sounds really similar to what I'm going through right now. I'm curious about the documentation they asked for 6 weeks in - was it just pay stubs and work schedules, or did they need something more specific? I want to make sure I have everything organized from the start to avoid any delays if they request additional info later on.

@PaulineW This is exactly the kind of detailed experience I was hoping to hear! I'm dealing with reduced hours at my warehouse job and have been on the fence about applying. The 4-month timeline really helps me understand this could be a longer-term solution while things hopefully improve. Quick question - when you mention setting up direct deposit right away, is that something you can do during the initial application or do you have to wait until after approval? I'd rather get that sorted from the beginning if possible.

@PaulineW This is so reassuring to hear! I'm in almost the exact same situation - went from 40 to 25 hours and have been worried about the whole process. The 10-day approval timeline gives me hope that I won't be struggling financially for too long while waiting. Did you run into any complications when your hours eventually went back up? I'm wondering if there's anything tricky about transitioning off partial benefits when work picks back up to full time.

@Ethan Brown Thanks for the mobile app tip! I didn t'even know ESD had an app. That would definitely be more convenient than trying to navigate the website every week. The screenshot idea is smart too - I ve'had issues with other government websites losing my information before. Quick question: when you mention filing earlier in the weekend, what day/time worked best for you? I want to make sure I avoid those Sunday night traffic jams you mentioned.

@GalaxyGuardian I'm so glad this thread has been helpful! I was in a very similar position a few months ago and this community really made all the difference in understanding the process. One thing I'd add is to make sure you keep detailed records of your conversation with your supervisor - date, time, and what was discussed about your hour reduction. ESD sometimes asks for this information during the application process. Also, don't be discouraged if the online system seems a bit clunky at first - it gets much easier once you've done it a couple times. Feel free to come back here if you run into any snags during the application. We're all rooting for you!

@Ava Hernandez This is really great advice about accurate reporting! I m'curious about the job search requirement - how many job search activities did you typically need to log each week? And did ESD ever actually audit or check your job search log, or is it more of an honor system? I want to make sure I m'meeting all the requirements properly from the start.

@Ava Hernandez That s'really helpful about the accurate reporting - I definitely don t'want to create problems down the road with rounding errors. I m'just starting to consider partial UI for my reduced hours situation. When you mention keeping a log of job search activities, what format did you use? Did you just keep it in a simple document or does ESD provide a specific template? Also, did you find it challenging to balance job searching while still maintaining your current reduced-hour position? I m'worried about my current employer thinking I m'not committed if I m'actively looking elsewhere.