How is unemployment defined by Washington ESD for benefit eligibility?

Washington ESD defines unemployment as being totally or partially unemployed through no fault of your own. You can work part-time and still collect benefits as long as you earn less than your weekly benefit amount plus $5. So if your weekly benefit is $300, you can earn up to $305 and still get partial benefits.

That's helpful! So working 15 hours might still qualify me for partial benefits then?

Yes, as long as your earnings from those 15 hours don't exceed your weekly benefit amount plus $5. You'll need to report those earnings when you file your weekly claim.

Being on call is tricky. If you're truly available for work and actively seeking employment, you might qualify. But if the on-call requirements restrict your availability significantly, Washington ESD might consider you not available for work.

I had this issue! I was on call 2 days a week and they said I wasn't available for work during those days. Had to appeal it.

Did you win the appeal? The availability requirement is pretty strict with Washington ESD.

The key factors Washington ESD looks at are: 1) You're unemployed or working reduced hours, 2) It's through no fault of your own (not fired for misconduct or quit without good cause), 3) You're able and available for work, 4) You're actively seeking work. All four have to be met to qualify for UI benefits.

What counts as 'actively seeking work'? Do I need to apply to a certain number of jobs per week?

Yes, you need to make at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a record. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking activities, etc.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to clarify my situation but their phone lines are always busy. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there? I need to understand if my reduced hours qualify me.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Finally got my questions answered after using them.

Interesting, I'll check that out. I'm desperate at this point, been calling for 3 weeks straight.

don't forget about the monetary eligibility too. you need to have earned enough wages in your base period to qualify. i think its like $3,400 minimum but not sure of the exact amount

You're close! For 2025, you need at least $3,530 in your base period OR at least $2,364 in your highest earning quarter with total base period wages of at least $3,546.

thanks for the correction! those numbers change every year dont they

The partial unemployment thing is confusing. I work 20 hours a week now instead of 40 and filed a claim but haven't heard anything for 2 weeks. Is this normal?

If your claim is in adjudication, it can take several weeks. They have to verify your work separation and determine if you meet all eligibility requirements.

How do I know if it's in adjudication? My account just says 'claim processed' but no payments.

Log into your SecureAccess Washington account and check your claim status. It should show if there are any pending issues or if it's under review.

For anyone confused about the definitions, Washington ESD has specific criteria. You're considered unemployed if you work less than full-time hours AND your earnings are below a certain threshold. It's not just about being completely out of work.

That makes sense. So even working part-time, I could still be considered 'unemployed' for benefit purposes if I meet the other requirements.

Exactly! The term 'unemployed' in the unemployment system doesn't mean zero work - it means insufficient work to meet your needs.

One thing to watch out for - if you quit your job to take the part-time position, that could affect your eligibility. Washington ESD will look at why you left your previous job and whether you had good cause.

I didn't quit - my employer reduced everyone's hours due to slow business. That should be okay, right?

Yes, that's a reduction in hours through no fault of your own. You should definitely qualify for partial benefits.

I'm still confused about the whole thing. Been unemployed for 2 months and trying to figure out if I qualify. The Washington ESD website is so confusing with all the different requirements.

Start with the basic question - are you out of work through no fault of your own? If yes, then look at your work history in the past 18 months to see if you meet the wage requirements.

Yes, I was laid off. I think I earned enough but not sure how to calculate it.

Your base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed. Add up all your wages from those quarters.

The availability requirement trips people up too. You have to be ready, willing, and able to work. If you have restrictions on the type of work you'll accept or your availability, that can impact your benefits.

What kind of restrictions would disqualify you? I can only work day shifts because of childcare.

Childcare restrictions are generally acceptable as long as you're still available for a reasonable range of jobs during day hours. The key is being available for suitable work.

This whole system is so bureaucratic. I've been trying to get answers for weeks and keep getting different information from different people at Washington ESD.

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. At least when you get through to someone, you know you're talking to an actual Washington ESD agent, not just anyone who picks up the phone.

I might have to try that. This is getting ridiculous.

just wanted to add that being unemployed for UI purposes also means you have to be registered with WorkSource Washington and actively using their job search tools. thats part of the requirement too

Good point! You must register with WorkSourceWA within 30 days of filing your claim and maintain an active job search profile there.

yeah and you have to log your job search activities in their system or keep your own records

For seasonal workers, the definition gets even more complicated. I work construction and am laid off every winter. Sometimes I qualify, sometimes I don't, depending on my earnings pattern.

Seasonal work can affect your base period calculations. If you have a cyclical work pattern, Washington ESD may use alternate base periods to determine eligibility.

Yeah, they used my alternate base period last year which helped me qualify. This year might be different though.

I think the most important thing is that unemployment benefits are for people who want to work but can't find adequate employment. It's not just about being out of work - you have to be actively trying to get back to full employment.

That makes sense. So even though I'm working part-time, if I'm looking for full-time work and available for it, I should qualify for partial benefits.

Exactly! The system is designed to support people who are working toward full employment, whether they're completely unemployed or underemployed.

One more thing - if you're collecting unemployment and get offered suitable work that you turn down, that can disqualify you. Washington ESD defines 'suitable work' based on your skills, experience, and the local job market.

What's considered suitable work? Is it based on your previous job or your qualifications in general?

It's based on several factors - your training, experience, prior earnings, and how long you've been unemployed. Generally, you don't have to take a job that pays significantly less than your previous work, at least initially.

Has anyone dealt with the issue of being classified as an independent contractor vs employee? I think my employer is trying to reclassify me to avoid paying into the unemployment system.

That's a serious issue. Washington ESD has specific criteria for determining worker classification. If you believe you've been misclassified, you can file a coverage determination request.

I'll look into that. I have a feeling they're trying to get out of their obligations.

Bottom line is Washington ESD defines unemployment pretty broadly - it includes partial unemployment, temporary layoffs, reduced hours, and even some situations where you quit for good cause. The key is meeting all the eligibility requirements.

Thanks everyone! This has been really helpful. I think I understand now that my situation with reduced hours should qualify me for partial benefits.

Glad to help! Make sure you file your weekly claims on time and report all your earnings accurately.

The whole system seems designed to be confusing on purpose. I spent hours reading through Washington ESD materials and still wasn't sure if I qualified.

It is overwhelming at first, but once you understand the basic requirements it gets easier. The main thing is being unemployed through no fault of your own and meeting the work search requirements.

I guess I need to just file and see what happens. Better than not trying at all.

For anyone still struggling to get through to Washington ESD, I had success with that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Worth checking out if you need to talk to someone directly about your specific situation.

I was skeptical about using a service like that but honestly it worked. Got through to a Washington ESD agent within a few hours instead of calling for weeks.

Same experience here. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get your questions answered properly.

Just remember that Washington ESD's definition of unemployment is all about being ready, willing, and able to work but unable to find adequate employment. It's not about being lazy or not wanting to work - it's about economic circumstances beyond your control.

That's a good way to think about it. I definitely want to work full-time again, I just can't find anything right now that pays enough to make up for my lost hours.

Exactly! That's precisely what the unemployment system is designed to help with. Good luck with your claim!