Can you file for unemployment as a student in Washington?

That's such a relief! I was worried I wouldn't qualify. Do I need to prove I'm available for work somehow?

Yes, you'll need to show you're available for work during typical business hours and actively job searching. Washington ESD will ask about your availability during the application process.

What kind of questions did they ask? I'm taking mostly online classes so my schedule is pretty flexible.

They asked about my course schedule, if I'd accept full-time work, and whether I was willing to work evenings and weekends. Since your classes are online you should be fine.

Good point. I definitely need to emphasize that I'm available for full-time work if needed.

That's exactly right. The key is showing you're genuinely seeking and available for employment, not just trying to supplement student income.

How does that work? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days and can never get through.

It basically calls for you and waits in the queue, then connects you when an agent is available. Much better than sitting on hold for hours yourself.

That's a common misconception. Students can definitely qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington if they meet the work history and availability requirements.

damn wish i knew this when i lost my campus job last semester

I have all my paystubs saved digitally. Should I gather anything else before applying?

Your Social Security number, driver's license, and bank account info for direct deposit. The wage info they'll verify with your employer directly.

Since I'm only taking 12 credits and most are online, I think I should be okay on the availability front.

12 credits is considered full-time though, so make sure you emphasize your flexibility and willingness to prioritize work over school if needed.

How many jobs do I need to apply for each week? And do they have to be in my field of study?

I think it's 3 job search activities per week in Washington. They don't have to be in your major - any suitable work based on your experience counts.

That's encouraging! How long did it take to get your first payment after filing?

About 3 weeks for my first payment, but that included the waiting week. Make sure to file your weekly claims on time even if you haven't been approved yet.

Yeah it's been really tough. Restaurants are still struggling with staffing and costs from everything that happened.

At least Washington state has decent unemployment benefits compared to some other places.

Oh wow, I didn't think about that. I do get some grants and loans. I'll definitely check with financial aid.

It varies by the type of aid, but it's always better to check beforehand rather than be surprised later.

Good point. I usually don't make enough to owe taxes but unemployment benefits might change that.

You can elect to have 10% withheld for federal taxes when you set up your claim. Makes tax season easier.

It's not about hours per week, it's about total wages earned in your base period. Washington ESD looks at your highest quarter of earnings and requires a minimum amount.

How do I find out what my base period wages were? I worked at a couple different places.

When you file your claim, Washington ESD will pull your wage records automatically. You can also request a wage statement from them if you want to check beforehand.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already struggling financially.

I can't remember the exact amount but it was worth it to actually talk to someone and get my questions answered instead of calling all day with no luck.

I do some tutoring occasionally. Do I need to report that even if it's just cash payments from other students?

Yes, any income needs to be reported regardless of how you're paid. It might reduce your weekly benefit but failing to report it could cause bigger problems.

Do I file the weekly claims on the same day each week or is there flexibility?

You can file anytime during your assigned week, but don't wait too long. Late filings can delay your payments.

That's where the 'suitable work' provisions come in. Washington ESD considers your prior work experience, education, and personal circumstances when determining if a job is suitable.

so they won't force me to drop out of school to take a random job?

Not necessarily, but you do need to be genuinely available for work. It's a balance between your educational goals and work availability.

Did they ask for any documentation about your class schedule or enrollment status?

They asked me to provide my class schedule and verify my enrollment status, but it was pretty straightforward. Just be prepared to show you can balance work and school.

You can look for any suitable work, including on-campus positions. The job search requirement is about actively seeking employment, not limiting where you look.

That's helpful, campus jobs are usually more flexible with student schedules anyway.

Glad this thread was helpful! I'm feeling much more confident about applying now too.

If either of you need help reaching Washington ESD with specific questions, definitely check out that Claimyr service I mentioned. Made a huge difference for me.

Good advice! I'm already pretty organized with my financial stuff so I'll make sure to keep track of everything unemployment-related too.

Smart approach. It's much easier to stay organized from the start than to try to recreate records later if there's an issue.