Understanding the three key types of unemployment benefits in Washington - help needed

The three main types are: 1) Regular unemployment insurance (UI) for people who lost their job through no fault of their own, 2) Standby status for temporary layoffs where you expect to be called back within a specific timeframe, and 3) Partial unemployment for people who are still working but had their hours significantly reduced. Each has different requirements and benefit calculations.

This helps! I think I might qualify for standby since my boss said they'll probably call me back in 6-8 weeks when their busy season starts again.

Just make sure you understand the callback requirements for standby - you have to be available to return when they call you back or you could face disqualification.

I was in a similar situation last year and had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to clarify which type I should file for. The wait times were insane and I kept getting disconnected.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I found out about it when I was struggling to reach Washington ESD agents. It's at claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made it so much easier to get through and talk to someone about my claim type.

Never heard of that before. Does it actually work for getting through to Washington ESD phone lines?

Yeah it worked for me. I was able to speak with an agent within a couple hours instead of calling for days trying to get through myself.

Don't forget that partial unemployment can be tricky - you have to report all your earnings from freelance work and they'll reduce your benefits accordingly. Some people think they can just not report small amounts but that's a quick way to get an overpayment notice later.

Good point about reporting everything. I definitely don't want to deal with overpayment issues down the road.

wait isnt there also something called able and available? or is that just part of regular UI?

Able and available is a requirement for ALL types of unemployment benefits, not a separate type. You have to be physically able to work and available for work to qualify for any UI benefits.

oh ok that makes sense, thanks for clarifying

The Washington ESD website has a good breakdown of this stuff but honestly their explanation is confusing as hell. I had to call three times before I understood the difference between standby and regular UI.

Yeah I looked at their website first but got more confused. That's why I'm asking here lol

The website definitely could be clearer. I always recommend people call if they're unsure, even though the wait times can be brutal.

For standby specifically, make sure your employer fills out the proper paperwork. If they don't do their part correctly, you might end up having to file regular UI instead, which could delay your benefits.

What paperwork does my employer need to fill out? I should probably check with them about this.

They need to complete the standby attachment form when they respond to Washington ESD about your claim. It confirms the temporary nature of the layoff and expected return date.

I've been on regular UI for 2 months now and the job search requirements are no joke. Make sure you understand what you're signing up for - you have to actively search for work and document everything even if you're expecting to be called back.

Wait, I thought standby meant you didn't have to do job searches since you're expecting to go back to your old job?

That's correct - standby status typically waives the job search requirements since you have a definite return date. Regular UI requires active job searching.

Oh right, I was thinking of regular UI. Standby is different - you're right about not needing to job search.

Whatever you do, make sure you file quickly. There's a waiting period and benefits don't start until after you file your first weekly claim.

How long is the waiting period usually?

One week waiting period for regular UI. Not sure about standby - it might be different.

The biggest thing is being honest about your situation when you file. If you're not sure which type fits your situation, it's better to call Washington ESD and ask rather than guess wrong and have to deal with complications later.

Yeah I'm definitely going to call them before I file anything. Thanks everyone for the help!

Good luck getting through on the phone! I usually try calling right when they open at 8am for the best chance.

Just to add - if your freelance income is significant, you might not qualify for any unemployment benefits at all. There are income limits and if you're earning too much from self-employment, it could disqualify you entirely.

It's not much freelance work, maybe $200-300 per month, so hopefully that won't be an issue.

That should be fine, just make sure to report it accurately on your weekly claims.

I wish someone had explained this to me when I first filed. I ended up filing regular UI when I should have done standby and it created a whole mess that took weeks to sort out.

What kind of mess did it create? Now I'm worried about filing the wrong type.

They had to cancel my regular claim and refile as standby, which delayed my benefits by about 3 weeks. Not the end of the world but definitely stressful when you need the money.

The key is understanding that standby is really only for temporary layoffs with a definite recall date. If there's any uncertainty about being called back, regular UI is probably safer.

My boss was pretty clear that it's temporary and tied to their seasonal cycle, so I think standby makes sense for my situation.

Don't overthink it too much. Washington ESD can always review your claim and move you to a different category if needed. The important thing is getting your claim filed so you don't lose any potential benefit weeks.

True, I should probably stop overthinking and just file. I think I have enough info now to make the right choice.

Exactly! And if you have questions after filing, that's what the weekly claim process is for - you can always call if issues come up.

One more thing - make sure you keep all your paperwork organized. Whether it's standby or regular UI, you'll need documentation if any issues come up during your claim period.

Good reminder! I'll make sure to save everything from my employer about the layoff.

This thread has been super helpful! I was confused about unemployment types too and now I have a much better understanding. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences.

Glad it helped you too! This community is awesome for getting real answers about Washington ESD stuff.

Always happy to help people navigate the unemployment system. It's confusing enough without having to figure it out alone.