Do furloughed employees get unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

Oh wow, that's a relief! Do I need any special documentation from my employer or just file like normal?

Just file normally through the Washington ESD website. Your employer will get notified automatically and they'll verify the furlough details.

How long did it take for your claim to get approved? I'm hoping it's faster than regular unemployment claims.

Took about 2 weeks for me, which was pretty standard. The key is being accurate about your work schedule changes.

Never heard of that service before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit - they basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent picks up. Saved me so much frustration.

Nope! Washington ESD offers partial unemployment benefits for people with reduced hours. It's designed exactly for situations like furloughs or when your employer cuts your schedule.

oh that makes sense. wish i knew this when my hours got cut last summer

What kind of documentation should I keep? Just my pay stubs or something more detailed?

Pay stubs are good, but also keep any written communication from your employer about the furlough - emails, memos, official notices. Anything that shows the reduction was employer-initiated.

Oh right, I forgot about job search requirements! Do I still have to look for other jobs even though I'm just furloughed?

Yes, unless your employer gives Washington ESD a specific recall date. If it's indefinite furlough, you'll need to do the standard 3 job search activities per week.

Actually, if you're on standby status (meaning you have a definite return date), you might be exempt from job search. Check with Washington ESD about your specific situation.

Good plan! File as soon as your hours are reduced. Don't wait - you want to get the process started right away.

Our HR said it's temporary but didn't give exact dates, just 'until business picks up.' Should I be worried?

Not worried, just prepared. Washington ESD will likely require job search activities in that case. It's still better than no income at all.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - they handle all that phone nonsense for you. Worth checking out if you're getting frustrated with the calling process.

might have to try that. this is ridiculous that it's so hard to get basic information

Yes, it's calculated based on your earnings vs your previous full-time earnings. The less you make during the week, the higher your partial benefit amount (up to your maximum weekly benefit amount).

That makes sense. So it's not just a flat rate for everyone.

Glad it's helping! Too many people don't know about partial unemployment benefits. It's there specifically for situations like this.

How can I tell the difference? Our manager just said 'reduced hours due to business conditions.

That sounds like it would qualify. The key is that it's employer-initiated and temporary. Get it in writing if possible.

What went wrong with your initial application? Want to make sure I don't make the same mistake.

I didn't report my reduced earnings correctly on my weekly claims. Washington ESD thought I was working full time and collecting benefits fraudulently.

Yikes, that's scary. Good reminder to be super careful with the weekly reporting.

Same time limits as regular unemployment - usually 26 weeks maximum in Washington, though it can vary based on your benefit year and economic conditions.

Good to know. Hopefully our furlough doesn't last that long!

Really? That actually worked? I'm definitely trying it next week.

Yeah, I was skeptical too but it really does work. Way less stressful than the regular calling process.

Our furlough schedule is pretty flexible - we choose which 2 days to work. Should be fine then?

sounds like it should be okay since you have control over the schedule

Good point! I always forget about the tax implications. Can you have taxes taken out automatically?

Yes, you can elect to have 10% withheld for federal taxes when you file your weekly claims. Definitely recommend it.

I think it's because there's less chance of fraud with partial claims - you're still working so Washington ESD can verify everything easier.

that makes sense. plus the employer is still involved so there's more documentation

You're welcome! That's what we're here for. Good luck with your claim and hope your furlough situation improves soon.

Seriously, thank you all so much. I was really stressed about this and now I have a clear plan. Going to file this weekend!

How do I officially stop the claims? Just stop filing the weekly reports?

You can call Washington ESD to close your claim officially, or just stop filing. But calling is safer to avoid any confusion later.

And if you need to call Washington ESD to close your claim, that's another good use case for Claimyr - much easier than trying to get through on your own.

This is so reassuring to hear from someone who actually went through it! I was definitely overthinking how complicated it would be. The documentation tip is really helpful - I'm going to start organizing everything now before I even file. Did you have any issues with the weekly reporting process, or was it pretty straightforward once you got into the routine?