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

That's really helpful, thank you! So if I made $300 in a week, I'd still get my full $487?

Exactly! As long as you stay under that $482 threshold, you get your full benefit amount.

Good point - I definitely don't want to deal with an overpayment situation. Better to be safe.

This happened to my sister. She didn't report some cash work and ended up owing back like $2000. Not worth the risk.

Never heard of that service before. Did they charge you anything?

Yeah there's a fee but honestly it was worth it to actually talk to a human at Washington ESD instead of getting hung up on for the 50th time.

I'm desperate enough at this point that I might try it. Been calling for weeks about my adjudication.

So even if I'm under the earnings limit, I could still have problems if the part-time job interferes with my job search?

Potentially yes. You need to maintain your availability for full-time work. If the part-time job restricts your schedule too much, it could be an issue.

Are you sure you're calculating it right? What's your weekly benefit amount and how much are you earning per week?

WBA is $412, i make about $240 a week at target. so i should get full benefits right?

Yes, you should be getting your full $412 since $240 is under your threshold of $417 ($412 + $5). You might want to call Washington ESD about this.

What kind of mistakes should I watch out for?

Make sure you report gross earnings, not net. And report the week you actually worked, not when you got paid. Those are the two biggest mistakes people make.

Yes, all earnings need to be reported including gig work. It's treated the same as any other part-time work for the earnings calculation.

Just keep good records of your gig earnings because you'll need to report them weekly.

Don't be afraid to work! Part-time work can actually help you transition back to full-time employment. Just follow the reporting rules.

Seriously, if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about this, try that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. Getting actual answers from an agent made such a difference for me.

That's not exactly right. There's no specific hour limit, it's all based on earnings and availability. But if you're working full-time hours, you probably wouldn't be considered available for other work.

Right, it's more about whether you're able and available for full-time work than a specific hour cutoff.

That sounds like exactly the situation I'd be in. Good to know it's working out for him.

Good reminder! I've been keeping up with my job search log but I'll make sure to continue that.

how many job contacts do we need per week again? i keep forgetting

It's 3 job search activities per week in Washington, but they can include more than just applications - networking, job fairs, etc.

I tried looking at their website but it's so confusing to navigate. Half the links don't work properly.

Good choice! That sounds like a perfect situation - extra income plus keeping your benefits.

Just make sure to report it accurately on your weekly claims. You should be fine with those numbers.

Congrats! Part-time work can be a great stepping stone back to full-time employment.

It is a high reduction rate, but remember you're still getting some unemployment benefits plus your work earnings. The system is designed to encourage work while providing a safety net.

Yeah it's meant to make sure you're always better off working than not working, even if the benefit reduction seems steep.

The earnings rules are the same for standby status, but you need to be available to return to your regular job when called back. That might limit what kind of part-time work you can take.

How long did it take them to get you through to someone?

Maybe 20 minutes? Way better than the hours I spent trying to call on my own.

That's reassuring to hear from someone with long-term experience. I feel more confident about taking this job now.

oh that's good to know! i was worried that going over even once would mess everything up

Good point. I'll definitely mention that during my interview so we can work out a schedule that works for everyone.

Yeah I learned that the hard way last year. Make sure to have them withhold taxes from your benefits or set aside money for tax time.

That's a great point I hadn't considered. Another reason I feel good about taking this position.

Absolutely! It also helps you maintain your skills and potentially network for full-time opportunities.