Can you still get unemployment and work part-time in Washington?

That's a relief! Do you know what the earnings limit is before they cut off benefits completely?

I think it's tied to your weekly benefit amount but I'm not 100% sure on the exact formula. You should check the Washington ESD website for the current rules.

Oh wow that's pretty generous compared to what I expected. So I could potentially work quite a bit and still get something.

Just make sure you report EVERYTHING. Even if it's cash work or just a few hours. Washington ESD will find out eventually and then you'll have overpayment issues.

That makes me feel better. I was worried it was an all-or-nothing situation.

How long did it take Washington ESD to process your initial claim? I'm still waiting on mine.

Mine took about 3 weeks because they had to do some verification stuff. If you're having trouble reaching them about your claim status, I actually used this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

That's not necessarily true. It depends on how much you earned, not just the hours worked. If you earned more than your weekly benefit amount minus $5, then yes, you'd get no benefits that week.

yeah well i earned like $420 and my benefit was $380 so i got screwed

Yikes! I definitely don't want that to happen. I'll make sure to report everything accurately.

The penalties are no joke. Washington ESD takes unreported earnings very seriously. But if you're honest from the start, you'll be fine.

That's interesting. In my case I was completely laid off but might pick up new part-time work. Sounds like it should still be okay as long as I report it.

Reduced hours and working while unemployed are treated the same way by Washington ESD. As long as you're available for full-time work and actively seeking it, you can collect partial benefits.

Yes, you still need to meet the job search requirements unless you're on standby with your employer. Working part-time doesn't excuse you from looking for full-time work.

Thanks, that's what I figured but wanted to be sure. The Washington ESD website isn't super clear about it.

If you need help getting through to Washington ESD to clarify any of these requirements, I mentioned Claimyr earlier. They've been a lifesaver for getting actual people on the phone instead of getting hung up on constantly.

That's encouraging to hear. It sounds like Washington is more flexible than some other states I've heard about.

How do you keep track of all your earnings? I'm worried about making a mistake on my weekly claims.

I just keep a simple spreadsheet with my hours and gross pay for each job. When I file my weekly claim, I have everything right there. Takes like 2 minutes.

Good point. The retail job would mostly be evenings and weekends, so I'd still be available for full-time day jobs.

That should be fine then. Just make sure you can honestly answer 'yes' to the availability questions on your weekly claim.

I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you actually get connected to Washington ESD agents. Worth checking out at claimyr.com if you're tired of the endless busy signals.

Never heard of that but I'm definitely going to look into it. Getting through to Washington ESD is ridiculous.

They have a demo video that shows exactly how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Makes the whole process way less frustrating.

Definitely won't risk that. Sounds like the consequences aren't worth it at all.

Washington ESD cross-references with tax records and employer reports. They WILL find unreported income eventually. Always better to be upfront.

Is there a calculator somewhere to figure out what you'll get before filing your weekly claim?

Not that I know of. The Washington ESD system calculates it automatically when you submit your weekly claim. You find out right away though.

I just do the math myself. Take your gross earnings, subtract $5 from your weekly benefit amount, and that's roughly what you'll get if you earned less than that threshold.

Good to hear from someone with experience. Makes me feel more confident about moving forward with the part-time work.

yeah just be smart about it. report everything and youll be fine. the system works if you work with it

Thanks for that clarification! I would have probably made that same mistake.

Yes, always gross earnings. Even if they took out taxes, you report the full amount you earned before deductions.

That's really helpful to know. So it's calculated week by week, not some running total.

Exactly. Each weekly claim is independent. One bad week doesn't ruin the rest of your claim period.

The retail job might have some commission opportunities, so that's definitely something I need to keep in mind.

Yep, keep track of everything. Tips, commission, bonuses, overtime - it all counts as earnings that need to be reported.

That's a great way to think about it. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice!

Exactly right. The system is there to support you while you transition back to full-time work. Use it properly and it works well.