Can you work and get unemployment at the same time in Washington ESD?

Yes, you can work part-time while collecting unemployment in Washington state. You need to report ALL hours worked and gross wages earned on your weekly claim filing. Washington ESD will reduce your weekly benefit amount based on how much you earn. Generally, they subtract 75% of your gross wages from your weekly benefit amount, but you can still receive partial benefits as long as your earnings don't exceed your weekly benefit amount plus $5.

I've been doing this for months - working part-time and getting partial unemployment. The key is being 100% honest about your hours and wages. Never try to hide work income because Washington ESD will find out eventually through wage matching systems. I report every penny I earn and every hour I work on my weekly claims.

I was in a similar situation last year and kept trying to call Washington ESD to make sure I was doing everything right, but could never get through. The phone lines are always busy and I'd get disconnected after waiting forever. Super frustrating when you just need to talk to someone about your specific situation.

Make sure you understand the job search requirements too. Even if you're working part-time, you still need to be actively looking for full-time work and completing your required job search activities each week. Don't skip that part just because you have some work income.

Been there done that. The math gets confusing but it's worth it. Just remember to keep detailed records of all your work - hours, wages, dates. If Washington ESD ever audits your claim, you'll need proof of what you reported.

Wait, so you can work AND get unemployment? I thought it was one or the other. This is news to me.

The system is actually designed to encourage people to take part-time work while looking for full-time employment. It's better than sitting at home doing nothing, and you get to keep some of your unemployment benefits while earning extra income.

I did this for about 6 months. One thing to watch out for - if your part-time job starts giving you too many hours, you might become ineligible for unemployment benefits altogether. Keep track of your weekly earnings vs your weekly benefit amount.

Whatever you do, DON'T try to hide the income. I know someone who thought they could work under the table and still collect full benefits. Washington ESD caught them and they had to pay back thousands in overpayments plus penalties.

The weekly claim asks specifically about work and wages. Just answer honestly. I've been doing part-time work for 3 months now and never had any problems with my claims.

Pro tip: When you report work income, the system might take an extra day or two to process your payment compared to weeks when you don't work. Don't panic if your payment is slightly delayed - it's normal.

I tried calling Washington ESD multiple times to confirm how to report part-time work correctly but could never reach anyone. Finally used Claimyr to get connected to an agent who explained everything perfectly. Worth checking out if you need to speak with someone directly.

Make sure your part-time employer knows you're on unemployment. Some employers are weird about that, but there's nothing illegal about it. You're allowed to work part-time while receiving benefits.

Been working part-time and collecting partial benefits for 4 months now. It's actually nice to have some structure and extra income while still looking for a full-time position. Just follow the rules and report everything accurately.

The Washington ESD website has a pretty good explanation of working while on unemployment if you want to read the official policy. But basically, yes, you can work part-time and still get reduced benefits.

I was hesitant to take a part-time job at first because I thought it would mess up my benefits, but it's actually worked out really well. Still getting some unemployment money plus the part-time wages. Financial situation is much better now.

Another thing - if you get hired for full-time work, you need to report that immediately and stop filing weekly claims. Don't try to collect benefits while working full-time, even for a few days.

Love seeing posts like this where people are trying to do the right thing. Working part-time while on unemployment is totally legitimate and actually encouraged by the system. Just be honest and accurate with your reporting.

One last tip - keep your work schedule flexible if possible. If you get called for a job interview, you want to be able to go. Most part-time employers understand when you're actively job searching.