How many hours do I need to get Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

Thanks! What exactly counts as wages? Just my regular hourly pay or does it include tips and overtime too?

Regular wages, overtime, tips, commissions, and most bonuses count toward your base period wages. However, severance pay and some other types of compensation might not count.

That's exactly what I was hoping to hear! Do you remember how the process worked? Did you have to prove your hours got cut?

Yeah, Washington ESD will verify your reduced hours with your employer. You'll need to report your earnings each week when you file your weekly claim. They'll calculate your partial benefit based on what you earn vs what your full weekly benefit amount would be.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already struggling financially and don't want to pay a bunch of money just to talk to unemployment.

It's way cheaper than missing work to sit on hold all day. Plus they only charge you if they actually get you connected to someone. Saved me probably 6+ hours of calling myself.

I'm always skeptical of these third-party services but honestly the Washington ESD phone system is so broken that it might be worth it.

What does 'actively seeking work' mean exactly? Do I need to be looking for a completely new job or can I just be available for more hours at my current job?

You need to be genuinely looking for work that would provide you with full-time employment or at least enough hours to meet your needs. Just waiting for more hours at your current job usually isn't enough to satisfy the job search requirement.

3 jobs per week seems like a lot when I'm still working part-time. Do they really check up on that?

they can randomly audit your job search log so yeah you need to actually be doing it. but you can count things like attending job fairs, networking events, or even online training courses toward your weekly requirements

Actually, Washington state requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week, but they need to be genuine efforts to find work. The WorkSource system tracks this and yes, they do audit people randomly.

Your employer will be notified if you file an unemployment claim because they get a chance to respond and contest it if they disagree with your reason for claiming benefits. But they can't retaliate against you for filing a legitimate claim.

That makes me even more nervous. What if they just decide to fire me completely once they find out I applied?

That would actually be illegal retaliation. Plus if they fire you for filing for unemployment due to reduced hours, you'd have an even stronger case for benefits.

Wow that sounds really frustrating. What kind of documentation did they want from your employer?

They wanted a letter explaining why my hours were reduced and confirmation of my work schedule before and after the reduction. My manager was super annoyed about having to write it.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr - when they start asking for all that extra documentation, you really need to talk to someone who can explain what's actually required vs what they're just asking for out of abundance of caution.

How long is the waiting period usually? I need to know if I can cover my bills while waiting.

There's a one-week waiting period for everyone, but if there are any issues with your claim it can take weeks or even months to get your first payment. That's why it's important to apply as soon as possible after your hours get reduced.

Did you have any problems with the weekly claims? I heard you have to file every week even if you're working part-time.

Yeah you have to file your weekly claim every Sunday and report exactly how much you earned that week. If you forget to file or file late, you can lose that week's benefits completely.

The weekly filing is super important - I missed one week because I was out of town and forgot, and they made me wait an extra week to get back on track with payments.

The wage requirements are the same regardless of age. However, if you're a recent graduate or new to the workforce, there might be different programs available through WorkSource that could help with job training or placement.

Thanks, I was getting confused by something I read online. Good to know the requirements are the same for everyone.

That makes sense. So even though I'm still employed part-time, I need to be actively looking for either more hours or a different job that gives me full-time work?

Exactly. The partial benefits are meant to be temporary assistance while you're working to get back to full employment. You can't just stay on partial benefits forever.

I got through using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Took about 2 hours but they called me back when an agent was available instead of me having to sit on hold the whole time.

I might have to try that. I can't afford to spend entire days trying to get through to them.

I've had good luck calling right when they open at 8am on weekdays. Still takes a while but better than calling in the middle of the day.

Thanks for the tip! Is there anything specific I should look for in that letter?

Pay attention to your weekly benefit amount, your maximum benefit amount for the year, and the specific job search requirements. Also note any special conditions they might have put on your claim.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I'm going to start gathering my pay stubs and apply this week.

Good luck! The process can be frustrating but if you qualify, the benefits really do help bridge the gap when your income gets reduced.

Hope it works out for you! Don't get discouraged if they ask for additional documentation - it's pretty normal and doesn't mean you won't get approved.