How do you apply for partial unemployment benefits through Washington ESD?

You file the same regular unemployment claim through Washington ESD, there's no separate application for partial benefits. When you do your weekly claims, you'll report the hours you worked and your earnings. The system will automatically calculate if you're eligible for partial benefits based on what you earned versus your weekly benefit amount.

been there, the partial unemployment thing is pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. You still have to meet all the regular requirements though - like being able and available for full-time work and doing your job searches.

I was in the exact same situation last year and it took me FOREVER to get through to someone at Washington ESD to confirm I was doing everything right. The phone lines are absolutely ridiculous - I'd call dozens of times and either get busy signals or sit on hold for hours just to get disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to an agent in like 15 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

OMG this is so stressful!! I'm in a similar situation but I'm terrified I'll mess up the application somehow. What if I calculate my earnings wrong? What if they think I'm trying to commit fraud? I keep reading horror stories about people getting overpayments and having to pay everything back.

The key thing with partial unemployment is understanding the earnings deduction formula. In Washington, you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount plus $5 before they start reducing your benefits. So if your weekly benefit amount is $300, you can earn up to $305 before any deductions.

I filed for partial benefits about 6 months ago when my restaurant cut everyone's hours. The process was pretty smooth overall, but I did have to provide documentation about my reduced hours. Make sure you keep copies of your work schedules or any communication from your employer about the hour reduction.

Just wanted to add that you'll still need to register with WorkSource Washington and keep a job search log even for partial benefits. I know it seems counterintuitive since you're still working, but that's the requirement unless you're on standby status.

The Washington ESD website has gotten better over the years but it's still confusing AF. When I applied for partial benefits, I accidentally clicked through some screens too fast and had to call to fix my application. That's when I discovered how impossible it is to reach anyone by phone!

Does anyone know if there's a waiting period for partial unemployment benefits like there is for regular unemployment? I'm trying to figure out when I might start receiving payments.

I've been on partial unemployment for like 3 months now and honestly it's been a lifesaver. My retail job cut everyone to 25 hours and the partial benefits help cover the gap. Just make sure you report your earnings EXACTLY as they appear on your pay stub - don't try to calculate anything yourself.

The whole unemployment system in this state is a joke. They make it so complicated and confusing on purpose so people give up and don't claim benefits they're entitled to. And don't even get me started on trying to reach someone by phone - it's like they're actively trying to avoid helping people.

Pro tip: when you're doing your weekly claim, there's a section where you report your work hours and earnings. Take your time with this part because mistakes here can cause delays or overpayments later. I always double-check everything before submitting.

btw if your employer puts you on a reduced schedule temporarily, you might want to check if you qualify for standby status instead of regular partial benefits. different rules apply and you might not have to do job searches.

I tried to apply for partial benefits last month and my claim went into adjudication immediately. Still waiting to hear back and it's been 3 weeks. Has anyone else had their partial claim get stuck in adjudication?

Quick question - if my hours vary week to week, do I need to file a new claim each time or just report the different hours on my weekly claim?

Make sure you understand the difference between being 'able and available' for work versus actively seeking work. For partial benefits, you still need to be available for additional work beyond your current part-time job.

Does anyone know how long partial unemployment benefits last? Is it the same 26 weeks as regular unemployment?

Been trying to reach Washington ESD for two weeks about my partial claim and it's impossible. The phone system is absolutely broken. I've called over 100 times and either get a busy signal or get disconnected after hours on hold.

One thing that helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to track my hours and earnings each week before I report them. Makes it much easier to avoid mistakes and have a record if there are any issues later.

Just want to say thanks to everyone who replied to this thread. I was so confused when I started reading but now I feel like I actually understand the process. Going to file my claim this weekend!