Can you do Instacart while on Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

Thanks for the info. Do you know if they reduce my benefits dollar for dollar or is there some kind of allowance?

In Washington, you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount plus $5 before they start reducing your UI payment. So if your weekly benefit is $400, you can earn up to $405 and still get your full unemployment check.

Good to know! How do you keep track of your earnings for reporting? Do you just use the app summaries?

I keep a simple spreadsheet with dates and amounts. The gig apps usually have weekly summaries too, but I like having my own records just in case.

That's a good point. I'm definitely still looking for full-time work, just need something to help with bills in the meantime.

Yeah the availability requirement is important. If you're doing Instacart during normal business hours when employers might want to interview you, that could be an issue.

That sounds helpful! I've been trying to call Washington ESD but always get busy signals or get disconnected after waiting forever.

Never heard of Claimyr but honestly anything is better than trying to get through to Washington ESD directly. Their phone system is a nightmare.

Oh I didn't think about the tax implications. Do I need to set aside money for taxes on the Instacart earnings?

Yes, definitely set aside about 25-30% for taxes since they won't withhold anything. You'll get a 1099 at the end of the year instead of a W-2.

How much are you typically making per week with Instacart? Just trying to get an idea if it's worth the time.

depends on area and how much you work but i usually make 200-300 extra per week doing it part time

Definitely planning to keep up with job applications. The gig work is just temporary to help with expenses.

Good attitude. Washington ESD does audit job search records, so make sure you're documenting everything properly.

I get the frustration, but the reporting requirements exist to prevent fraud and ensure benefits go to people who actually need them.

I guess that makes sense, just seems like a lot of bureaucracy for people who are already struggling.

That's really helpful advice, thanks! I wouldn't have thought about tracking business expenses.

Yes, mileage deduction alone can save you a significant amount. Track every mile you drive for Instacart.

Good point. I'm definitely not trying to game the system, just need to pay bills while looking for a real job.

As long as you're honest about everything and actively job searching, you should be fine. The system is designed to help people transition back to full employment.

I'm definitely going to check that out. Sounds way better than the endless busy signals.

might try this myself, been trying to get through to ask about something for weeks

Oh wow, I hadn't thought about insurance coverage. I should probably call my insurance company to ask about that.

Yeah, some insurance companies offer rideshare/delivery coverage as an add-on. It's usually pretty cheap compared to the risk.

That covers the basics. I'd add that if you have any doubts about how to report something, it's better to ask Washington ESD directly than to guess.

This has been super helpful everyone. I feel much more confident about doing some gig work now that I understand the requirements.

Smart approach. Start small and make sure you understand the system before ramping up.

Good luck! The extra income really does help while job hunting. Just stay compliant with all the requirements.

Yeah, it's nice to get real advice from people who have actually done it instead of trying to figure it out from confusing government websites.

This forum is way more helpful than the official Washington ESD resources most of the time.

Definitely will do. I've learned that lesson the hard way with other bureaucratic stuff in the past.

Good advice. And if you do run into issues or have complex questions, services like Claimyr can help you get through to someone who can give you official answers instead of guessing.

Absolutely. I'm viewing it as a stopgap measure while I continue looking for full-time employment. Thanks again everyone!

Best of luck with both the gig work and the job search. You've got a good plan and the right attitude.

It is complex, but that's partly because it has to balance helping people with preventing fraud. Once you understand the basics, it's not too bad.

The key is asking questions when you're unsure rather than trying to figure it out on your own. Better safe than sorry with unemployment benefits.

That's a good idea for later. I want to get comfortable with one platform first before adding others.

yeah i do multiple apps, helps maximize earnings when one is slow

I bookmarked their site for future reference. Hopefully I won't need to use it, but good to know it's there if issues come up.

Having a reliable way to reach Washington ESD is valuable. Their regular phone system is basically unusable most of the time.