How to qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington state

Thanks! I definitely earned more than $1,000 over those months. What else do they check?

You also need to be able and available for work, actively seeking work, and not have quit without good cause or been fired for misconduct. Reduced hours usually qualifies you.

Oh yeah I heard about that. How many job searches do you have to do per week?

It's typically 3 job search activities per week, but it can vary based on your situation. You'll get the specific requirements when you file your claim.

Ugh that's what I was worried about. How long did it take you to get through?

Honestly I never did get through the regular way. I ended up using Claimyr.com which helped me get connected to an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that before. Did it actually work?

Yeah it worked great for me. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.

Good point. I kept hoping things would get better but it's been 3 weeks now with barely any shifts.

Exactly! And even if your hours do pick up later, you can always stop filing weekly claims. But if you don't start the process now you're missing out on money you might be entitled to.

That can still qualify as 'good cause' for quitting, but your friend would need to document the hostile environment and be prepared to explain it to Washington ESD. It's more complicated than a layoff but definitely possible.

ok good to know, thanks

Oh I didn't think about that. How much do they usually withhold?

I think it's 10% federal withholding if you elect it. Washington doesn't have state income tax so you don't worry about that part.

Yeah it's definitely gotten better. The old system was a nightmare. Now it's just mildly frustrating instead of completely broken.

Ha! That's progress I guess. Still wish they made it easier to talk to a real person when you have questions.

Yeah my employer was pretty good about that actually. They tracked our tips through the POS system.

That's good. It'll make your application smoother if everything matches up with what Washington ESD has on file from your employer.

That's not too bad. Did you have any issues with the application process?

nah it was pretty straightforward. just had to wait for them to verify my employment but that was quick

What if I pick up a few shifts here and there? Do I still need to report that?

Yes, report any work and earnings. Washington ESD allows you to earn a small amount without losing all your benefits but you have to report it all.

This is super important. I know someone who got an overpayment notice because they didn't report some freelance work they did.

Good to know. What happens if you forget to file a weekly claim?

You can usually file it late but you might have to explain why. It's better to just set a reminder on your phone to file every Sunday.

Adjudication delays can happen if there are questions about your eligibility or if they need to verify information with your employer. Most cases resolve within a few weeks but complex situations can take longer.

I was in adjudication for 6 weeks last year because my employer disputed my claim. Eventually got approved but it was stressful waiting.

6 weeks? That's brutal. Did you have to do anything special to get it resolved?

I kept calling to check on the status but mostly just had to wait. Would have been nice to talk to someone who could explain what was happening.

That's a good idea. Do they ever audit your job search activities?

They can request documentation so it's worth keeping records. I save job postings and track when I applied to each one.

Yeah I might try that if I run into issues. Better than spending all day calling and getting nowhere.

I used Claimyr too when I had questions about my benefit amount. Much easier than the regular phone system.

Thanks for the reassurance. I'm going to file this weekend and see how it goes.

good luck! the hardest part is just getting started. once you file your first weekly claim it becomes routine

Good tip. I definitely want to get payments as fast as possible.

Yeah direct deposit usually comes 1-2 days after you file your weekly claim. Checks take way longer.

Hopefully I won't need to worry about that but good to know. Thanks everyone for all the help!

You're welcome! This community is pretty good about helping people navigate the Washington ESD system.