How to get accepted for unemployment in Washington - what do they actually look for?

The main thing Washington ESD looks at is whether you're unemployed through no fault of your own. Reduced hours definitely count as partial unemployment. You'll need to show you've lost significant income and that it wasn't because of something you did wrong. Make sure you have documentation of your reduced schedule.

I got approved last year for similar situation. The key things they verify are: 1) You earned enough in your base period (they look at the last 5 quarters), 2) You're able and available to work, 3) You're actively looking for work, and 4) You didn't quit or get fired for misconduct. Reduced hours usually qualify as long as you meet the earnings requirement.

honestly the hardest part isn't getting approved, it's actually getting through to someone at Washington ESD when you have questions or problems. I spent WEEKS trying to call them when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Finally found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to an agent in like 20 minutes. Total game changer - you can check it out at claimyr.com. They even have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Make sure you apply as soon as possible! There's a waiting week in Washington but the sooner you file, the sooner that week starts. Also be 100% honest on your application - they verify everything and lying will get you disqualified permanently.

ugh the system is such a nightmare. I got denied initially because they said I 'quit' when really I just couldn't work the new schedule they gave me (all overnight shifts with no notice). Had to appeal and it took 2 months to get it sorted out. The whole thing is designed to make you give up.

For your situation specifically, partial unemployment claims are actually pretty straightforward if you do them right. You'll report your reduced earnings each week and Washington ESD will pay you the difference up to your weekly benefit amount. The tricky part is making sure you're still looking for work - they require job search activities even for partial claims.

Just be prepared for them to take forever to process everything. My claim sat in 'adjudication' for 5 weeks and nobody could tell me why. Finally got through to someone who said it was just backlog, nothing wrong with my claim at all.

The good news is that restaurant workers usually qualify easily since the industry has so much turnover and seasonal fluctuation. Washington ESD is used to handling claims from food service. Just make sure you keep track of all your tips and reported income - they'll want to see your total earnings, not just your base wage.

Don't stress too much about getting denied. Most claims get approved if you follow the rules and tell the truth. The horror stories you hear are usually people who quit without good cause or got fired for something serious. Reduced hours due to business slowdown is textbook qualifying reason.

Pro tip: when you file, choose direct deposit for payments. The debit card option they offer has fees and ATM restrictions. Also set up your online account right away so you can do your weekly claims - don't try to do them over the phone unless you absolutely have to.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my hours got cut from 35/week to about 15. Filed 3 weeks ago and still haven't heard anything definitive. The waiting is the worst part honestly.

Just remember that even if you get approved, it takes a week or two to get your first payment. Plan accordingly because there's always delays in the system.

One more thing - make sure you understand the difference between 'able and available' and being on standby. If your employer is planning to bring you back to full hours soon, you might qualify for standby status which has different job search requirements. Ask your manager about their plans for increasing hours.

The system works, it's just slow and frustrating. I got approved after reduced hours at my retail job last year. Took about 3 weeks total from application to first payment. Just be patient and keep doing your weekly claims even while you're waiting for approval.

whatever you do don't let them intimidate you if they ask for additional information. Sometimes they'll request pay stubs or verification letters and make it sound super urgent and scary. It's usually just routine verification, not a sign that you're going to be denied.

Quick question for everyone - do you have to report job applications even if you're on partial unemployment? I'm working 20 hours/week but collecting partial benefits and I'm confused about the job search thing.

For what it's worth, getting approved is usually the easy part. The hard part is dealing with Washington ESD when you have problems or questions later. Their customer service is basically non-existent unless you know how to game the system.

You'll be fine. Restaurant industry claims are super common and they rarely get denied unless there's misconduct involved. Just be honest about everything and keep good records. The system is designed to help people in your exact situation.

Last bit of advice - take screenshots of everything when you're filling out the application. If there are any disputes later, having your own copy of what you submitted can be really helpful.