Do you have to notify Washington ESD unemployment when you get a job - timing questions

Thank you! So I don't need to call them beforehand, just report it normally on my weekly claim?

Exactly. The weekly claim asks about work performed during that specific week. No work = no reporting needed yet.

That's not correct. Washington ESD specifically says to report work on your weekly claims, not when you accept job offers. You might be thinking of a different state's rules.

Maybe you're right, this was a few years ago and I might be misremembering the details.

I actually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to Washington ESD. They handle the calling and waiting for you. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of frustration trying to reach someone.

That sounds almost too good to be true. Did you actually talk to a real Washington ESD agent through them?

Yes, they connected me directly to an actual Washington ESD representative. I was skeptical too but it worked exactly as advertised.

This is super helpful! My weekly benefit amount is $380 and the job pays $18/hour for 25 hours, so that would be $450 weekly. Let me calculate... $380 - 75%($450-$5) = $46.25. So I'd still get some benefits?

That's correct math, though double-check your exact weekly benefit amount on your Washington ESD account to be sure.

Yes, you still need to meet job search requirements unless your part-time work meets certain criteria. Generally you need 3 job search activities per week even with partial benefits.

ugh that seems like a lot of extra work when youre already working

Do you happen to have the link? I want to read it myself to be 100% sure.

It's under the 'File Weekly Claim' section on the secure.esd.wa.gov site. Look for 'Reporting Work and Wages' - explains the whole process.

Wait until you actually work. Job offers aren't reportable income - only actual work performed and wages earned.

Thanks, that makes sense. I was worried I'd mess something up by not reporting immediately.

What's the difference between gross and net wages for reporting purposes?

Gross is before taxes/deductions, net is your take-home pay. Washington ESD wants gross wages reported on your weekly claims.

This is correct - always report gross wages, and report them for the week you actually performed the work, not when you received the paycheck.

You report wages for the week you actually worked, regardless of when you get paid. So if you work Monday-Friday but don't get paid until the following Friday, you still report those wages for the week you worked.

That makes sense. So it's about when the work was performed, not when payment was received.

How much does it cost? I'm hesitant to pay for something that should be free.

I figured my time was worth more than continuing to call for hours. The peace of mind from talking to an actual Washington ESD agent was worth it for me.

Should I tell them during my first week or wait? I don't want them to think I'm not committed to the job.

You don't have to tell them at all actually. It's none of their business as long as you're meeting job requirements and available for the scheduled hours.

What kind of records should I keep? Just pay stubs?

Pay stubs, timesheets if you have them, any documentation of hours worked. I keep a simple spreadsheet with dates, hours, and wages earned.

How long does adjudication typically take for reporting issues?

In my experience, anywhere from 3-8 weeks depending on how complex the issue is and how backed up they are.

That's reassuring to hear! Did you have any issues with the job search requirements while working?

Nope, as long as you meet the minimum job search activities each week, working part-time doesn't affect that requirement.

It's 75% of your gross wages MINUS $5. So if you earn $100, it's 75% of $95 = $71.25 that gets deducted from your weekly benefit amount.

Got it, thanks for clarifying. The $5 disregard is applied first, then the 75% calculation.

I think I'll try that if I run into any issues. Better safe than sorry with unemployment reporting.

Exactly. The small investment is worth avoiding potential overpayment issues down the road.

This whole thread has been really helpful. I feel much more confident about starting my new job now.

Good luck with the new position! Part-time work while getting partial benefits can actually be a great way to transition back to full-time employment.