Can you have a part time job while on unemployment with Washington ESD?

Yes, you can absolutely work part-time while collecting unemployment in Washington! You just need to report all your earnings when you file your weekly claim. Washington ESD uses a formula to calculate how much they'll deduct from your weekly benefit amount based on what you earn.

Just make sure you report EVERYTHING when you do your weekly claims. Even if it's just a few hours, report it. I learned this the hard way - got an overpayment notice later because I thought small amounts didn't matter.

The key thing to remember is that you still need to be able and available for full-time work. Taking a part-time job is fine as long as you're still actively searching for full-time employment and can accept a full-time position if offered.

I had this exact situation last year! I was working about 16 hours a week at a coffee shop while on unemployment. The earnings definitely reduced my weekly benefit but I was still getting something from Washington ESD. Honestly it worked out well because I had some steady income plus the partial UI benefits.

One thing that really helped me when I was dealing with part-time work and unemployment was using Claimyr to get through to an actual Washington ESD representative. I had so many questions about reporting earnings correctly and the phone lines are always jammed. Found them at claimyr.com and they have this demo video (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ) that shows exactly how it works. Way easier than spending hours trying to get through on my own.

Just remember that when you report your earnings, you report the gross amount for the week you actually worked, not when you get paid. So if you work Monday-Friday but don't get your paycheck until the following week, you still report those earnings for the week you worked.

Also heads up - if your part-time earnings are really low some weeks, you might still get your full unemployment benefit. There's like a small earnings threshold where they don't deduct anything. I think it's around $25 or something but don't quote me on that exact number.

Whatever you do, just be honest on your weekly claims. I've seen people try to hide part-time work and it never ends well. Washington ESD has ways of finding out through employer reports and tax records.

I'm in a similar boat but I'm thinking about doing some freelance graphic design work. Anyone know if that counts the same as a regular part-time job for reporting purposes?

Does anyone know if there's a limit to how many hours you can work part-time while on unemployment? Like is there a cutoff where they consider you not really unemployed anymore?

This thread is super helpful! I've been scared to take any part-time work because I thought it would mess up my unemployment completely. Good to know it's actually allowed and expected.

One more thing - make sure your part-time employer knows you're on unemployment. They might need to report your wages to the state, and it's better if everything matches up from the start.

Actually ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and finally got through to Washington ESD about my own questions. The agent was super helpful and confirmed everything people are saying here about part-time work. Definitely worth it if you need to talk to someone directly.

Just want to add that you should keep really good records of your work hours and earnings. Take pictures of your timesheets, save pay stubs, etc. If there's ever a question about what you reported, you'll want documentation.

Does the type of part-time job matter? Like would working in retail be treated differently than doing delivery driving or something?

This has been really informative! I feel much more confident about taking that part-time position now. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and knowledge.

Quick question - do you report tips if you're working in a restaurant or service job? I'm thinking about picking up some serving shifts.

Been doing part-time work while on unemployment for about 3 months now. The extra income really helps stretch things out while I'm looking for full-time work. Just stay organized with your reporting and you'll be fine.

One last tip - if you have any specific questions about your situation, don't hesitate to contact Washington ESD directly. Whether through their website messaging or finding a way to get through on the phone, it's better to ask than guess.

This whole thread should be pinned! So much good information about working part-time while on unemployment. Really glad the OP asked this question.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you're working part-time and collecting unemployment, make sure to keep a simple spreadsheet or notebook tracking your hours worked each week and your gross earnings. This makes it super easy when you're doing your weekly claim filing, and you won't have to scramble trying to remember exactly how much you made or when you worked. I started doing this after my first week and it's been a lifesaver. Also, if you're unsure about anything on your weekly claim, there's usually a "help" or "?" button next to each question that gives you more specific guidance about what to report.