Washington ESD definition of unemployment - confused about eligibility requirements

Really? I had no idea about partial unemployment. So I don't have to be completely out of work to file a claim?

Nope! A lot of people don't realize this. You just need to report your weekly earnings when you file your weekly claim and Washington ESD will calculate your benefit amount.

What's this 1.5 times thing? I've never heard that before.

So if your weekly benefit amount would be $400, you can work and earn up to $600 per week and still get some unemployment benefits. Above that and you get nothing for that week.

This is super helpful! I need to figure out what my weekly benefit amount would be first then.

How much did that cost? I'm already broke from reduced hours.

It was totally worth it to finally get answers instead of wasting hours calling. The agent explained everything about partial unemployment and helped me file correctly.

I might have to try this. I've been trying to call Washington ESD for three days with no luck.

Wait, so if I can only work part-time because of childcare issues, I can't get unemployment?

It depends on your specific situation. There are some exceptions for caregiving responsibilities, but generally you need to be available for full-time work.

This is where it gets complicated and you really need to talk to Washington ESD directly about your specific circumstances.

Oh man, there's so many requirements I didn't know about. This is getting overwhelming.

It's really not that bad once you get the hang of it. You just need to apply for jobs and keep track of what you applied for.

Right, you can qualify for unemployment if you're unemployed through no fault of your own. That includes layoffs, reduced hours, business closures, or being fired for reasons other than misconduct.

What about if you quit? Can you ever get unemployment if you quit your job?

Only in very specific circumstances like unsafe working conditions, significant changes to your job, or harassment. It's called 'good cause' and Washington ESD has strict rules about it.

I feel you. I spent literally three hours on hold last week just to ask one simple question.

This is exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. I was so frustrated with not being able to get through to anyone at Washington ESD.

What's a base period? Another confusing term...

The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. They use this to calculate your weekly benefit amount.

So many technical terms! I really need to call Washington ESD to make sure I understand everything correctly.

What happens if you accidentally don't report some income?

Washington ESD will eventually find out through wage records and you'll have to pay back any overpayment, plus possibly penalties.

Better to be safe and report everything, even if you're not sure if you need to.

Yeah, I worked part-time for six months while collecting unemployment. It actually helped me transition back to full-time work.

That's encouraging to hear. I was worried that working part-time would disqualify me completely.

How do they determine if it's your fault or not?

Usually through what your employer reports when you file your claim. If there's a dispute, it might go to adjudication where they investigate further.

My hours got cut because business is slow, so I think I should be okay on that front.

What if you have a minor injury that doesn't prevent you from working your current job but might prevent you from taking other jobs?

That's a gray area that would probably need to be discussed with Washington ESD directly. They evaluate each case individually.

Was it expensive? I'm hesitant to pay for something when I'm already struggling financially.

It was worth it for me to finally get my questions answered. The agent was able to explain everything about partial unemployment and help me file correctly.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I feel much more confident about filing a claim now.

Good luck with your claim! Make sure to file as soon as possible since benefits don't start until you file.