Does spouse income affect Washington ESD unemployment benefits eligibility?

That's a huge relief! Should he file online or call Washington ESD directly?

File online at esd.wa.gov - it's faster and you can track the claim status. Calling takes forever these days.

Good point, he was thinking about doing some side work. How much can he earn before it affects his weekly claim?

In Washington you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount minus $5 without any reduction. Anything over that gets deducted dollar for dollar.

Did she have any trouble getting through to Washington ESD when she had questions about her claim?

Oh man yes, the phone system is terrible. We found this service called Claimyr that actually got us through to a real person at Washington ESD. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Nope, unemployment isn't based on need like welfare programs. It's insurance that workers pay into through payroll taxes. Your husband earned those benefits through his work history.

oh ok that makes more sense. I thought it was like food stamps or something

His company said they'd report it but should we get something in writing just in case?

Definitely get a layoff notice or separation paperwork. Companies sometimes mess up the reporting and then your claim gets held up in adjudication.

That's not our situation but good to know. Are there specific job search requirements for construction workers?

Yes, Washington requires 3 job search activities per week. For construction that can include contacting contractors, checking union halls, or applying through WorkSource.

How long did it take for your benefits to start?

About 2 weeks after filing, but that was before COVID. I hear it can take longer now if there are any issues with the claim.

This is correct. I work for a non-profit that helps people with benefit applications and we get this question all the time.

Thank you all so much! This has been really helpful and taken a lot of stress off our shoulders.

What counts as 'suitable work' for someone in construction?

Generally work that matches his skills and pays at least 70% of his previous wage. But it gets complicated - if he has specialized skills like electrical work, they can't force him to take general labor jobs right away.

When are weekly claims due?

You can file Sunday through Friday but most people do it Sunday morning. Just don't wait until the last minute in case the website is down.

Do you know how they calculate the weekly benefit amount?

It's roughly 60% of his average weekly wage from his base period, but there's a minimum and maximum amount. The website has a calculator but it's not super user-friendly.

We definitely plan to be completely honest. Better safe than sorry with government benefits.

Smart approach. The penalties for fraud are severe and it's just not worth the risk.

How does that work? Do they just call for you?

They navigate the phone system and get you connected to a real person. Way better than sitting on hold for hours. Check out their demo video to see how it works.

It was definitely not his fault - the whole crew got laid off when the project ended.

That's a textbook unemployment situation. He should have no problems getting approved as long as he meets the work history requirements.

Exactly! People sometimes confuse unemployment with need-based programs but it's totally different.

That makes perfect sense when you explain it that way. Thank you!

How long does adjudication usually take?

Can be anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on the issue. If it goes beyond 2 weeks, definitely try to contact them. That's where services like Claimyr can be really helpful for getting through.

Good to know from someone with experience. Any other tips for making the process go smoothly?

File immediately, keep good records of your job search activities, and respond quickly to any requests from Washington ESD. Don't let anything sit.

This whole thread has been so helpful. I feel much more confident about the process now.

That's what this community is for! Good luck to your husband with his claim.

Should he start the job search right away or wait until benefits are approved?

Start immediately. The job search requirements begin the week he files, not when benefits are approved. Keep detailed records of every application and contact.

Thanks for all the practical tips everyone. This has been incredibly helpful and reassuring.

Hope everything works out for your family! The system isn't perfect but it's there to help when you need it.