How much can I work and still collect Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

Thanks! So I won't lose benefits completely as long as I earn less than my weekly benefit amount?

Exactly, but remember it's gross earnings before taxes. And you still need to be available for full-time work and actively job searching.

Have you had any issues with Washington ESD questioning your availability for work?

no problems so far, just keep applying for full time jobs and log your job search activities

That's a good point. My part-time job is pretty flexible with scheduling so that shouldn't be an issue.

I got disqualified for this exact reason! Took a part-time job with mandatory weekend shifts and couldn't interview for full-time positions. Had to appeal and it was a nightmare.

That's exactly what I'm talking about. The job search requirement doesn't pause just because you're working part-time.

Never heard of that, sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

I haven't used it yet but from what I can tell they just help you get through the phone queue. Worth looking into if you're stuck like I am.

Honestly at this point I'd try anything. I've called 200+ times over two weeks and never gotten through.

It's $5 total for the week. So if you earn $100, they subtract $95 from your weekly benefit amount.

Oh okay that makes more sense. I thought it seemed too generous lol

Please don't follow this advice. Working under the table while collecting unemployment is fraud and can result in serious penalties including having to pay back all benefits plus fines.

Yeah don't listen to this. I know someone who got caught and had to pay back $8000 plus penalties. Not worth it.

Whatever, the system is rigged anyway. Do what you gotta do to survive.

Yes, you report work for the week you performed it, not when you get paid. So if you worked Monday-Friday, you report it on that week's claim even if payday isn't until the following week.

Thanks! That's what I thought but wanted to make sure.

Gig work counts as self-employment, so you need to report gross earnings before expenses. Keep detailed records of your daily earnings and report the total for each week.

Do I need to deduct gas and car expenses before reporting?

No, report the gross amount before any deductions. Washington ESD doesn't allow you to subtract business expenses from your reported earnings.

I understand the stress, but working part-time while on unemployment is completely legal and common. Just be honest about your earnings and hours worked. The system is designed to encourage work.

Same boat here. The anxiety about making a mistake and losing benefits is real.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person to get clarity on your specific situation instead of guessing.

Good idea! I'll start tracking everything from day one.

Yes! Documentation is key. I got audited last year and having detailed records saved me.

You can contact Washington ESD to correct the mistake, but do it as soon as possible. Intentionally not reporting work is fraud, but honest mistakes can usually be fixed if you're proactive about correcting them.

Good to know. I'm paranoid about making mistakes with this stuff.

That's really helpful to see a real example. So you basically broke even that week?

Pretty much, but it was worth it to keep some income coming in and maintain work experience.

Yes, temporary or seasonal work doesn't disqualify you permanently. When the job ends, you can reopen your claim. You'll need to report the employment and earnings during your time working, but you can continue collecting benefits afterward if you're still unemployed.

Perfect, that's what I was hoping. Thanks!

Yeah I saw that on the website. Do you know what counts as a job search activity?

Applying for jobs, networking events, career fairs, informational interviews. Check WorkSourceWA for approved activities.

No, that's not correct for Washington state. There's just the $5 weekly earnings disregard. Every dollar you earn over $5 reduces your benefit by one dollar.

Darn, I was hoping that was true. Thanks for clarifying.

Okay now I'm interested. Did they charge you a lot?

It was reasonable considering how much time and frustration it saved me. Definitely worth it when you need actual answers.

I might have to try this too. I've been stuck in adjudication hell for weeks.

Good catch! So it's the amount before taxes and deductions, right?

Exactly. Report what you earned before any deductions, even if you haven't received the full amount yet.

You're welcome! Just remember to always report honestly and keep good records. You'll be fine.

Good luck with everything! Part-time work while collecting unemployment is very common and manageable when you follow the rules.

That makes sense. I'll make sure to keep applying for warehouse jobs even though I'm doing retail part-time now.

Yep, they want to see you're trying to get back to your career level, not just taking any job permanently.

Thanks, that's really reassuring. I was so worried about messing something up.

Exactly right. The system works when you follow the rules and report accurately.