Washington ESD eligibility if you have two jobs and lose one - partial unemployment benefits?

That's such a relief to hear! Do you know if there's a minimum amount I need to earn from the lost job to qualify?

You'll need to meet the standard base period earnings requirements just like any other claim. Washington ESD looks at your total earnings from all jobs during your base period to determine eligibility and benefit amount.

How much did they reduce your benefits? I'm trying to figure out if it's even worth filing if the reduction is huge.

It depends on your weekly benefit amount and earnings. Generally, if you earn less than your weekly benefit amount plus $5, you'll get some partial payment. The formula can be confusing though.

Wait, there's a formula? I thought if you worked at all you couldn't get unemployment benefits.

Good point about filing quickly. I've been putting it off because the Washington ESD website is confusing and I kept getting overwhelmed.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your specific situation, I recently discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help people connect with ESD agents when the phone lines are always busy. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to speak with someone directly about partial benefits.

That sounds scary about paying back benefits. What happens if I accidentally report something wrong?

As long as you're making an honest effort to report accurately, minor mistakes can usually be corrected. The problems arise when people intentionally don't report work or earnings.

Do I need to look for jobs that match my lost retail position, or can I search for anything in my skill set?

You should look for suitable work based on your experience and skills. It doesn't have to be identical to the job you lost, but it should be reasonable given your background.

The job search requirement is usually 3 job contacts per week for partial unemployment claims, same as regular claims. Keep good records in case they audit your job search log.

Right? I feel so much better knowing I'm not alone in this situation. Are you going to file now?

Yes, definitely going to start the application this weekend. Better to try and get something than struggle with just one job.

Thank you for breaking down the math! That actually doesn't seem as bad as I thought it would be.

Is that calculation the same for everyone or does it depend on your benefit amount?

The 75% deduction rate is standard, but obviously the dollar amounts vary based on your individual weekly benefit amount and earnings.

I know it's frustrating, but the complexity exists to prevent fraud and ensure benefits go to people who genuinely need them.

i guess but when you're stressed about money the last thing you want is to navigate bureaucracy

My data entry job is pretty limited in terms of available hours, but that's good to know for the future.

What if the additional hours conflict with your job search activities? Seems like a catch-22.

That's where it gets complicated. You'd need to balance the requirements and possibly discuss with an ESD representative about your specific situation.

Same experience here. I finally used Claimyr to get connected to an actual person at ESD. It was so much easier than trying to call directly - they handle all the waiting and callback stuff for you.

Never heard of that service. Does it actually work?

Yeah, it worked great for me. You just give them your info and they call you back when they get an ESD agent on the line. Saved me hours of frustration.

Good reminder! I have my last few pay stubs but I should ask my old manager for something in writing about the position elimination.

Email works too if they send you something explaining the layoff. I saved all my work emails when I got laid off just in case.

How quickly do you need to report a new job? Like within 24 hours or just before the next weekly claim?

You should report it as soon as possible, ideally within a few days. Definitely don't wait until your next weekly claim filing.

Three part-time jobs sounds exhausting! At least now we both know we have some safety net if something happens.

The gig economy has made these multi-job situations so much more common. Washington ESD has had to adapt their policies to keep up.

That makes sense. I have experience in both areas so I should definitely be applying for both types of jobs.

Exactly! Cast a wide net to maximize your chances of finding replacement income quickly.

I started looking at the online application earlier and got overwhelmed by all the questions. Maybe I just need to sit down and work through it step by step.

Take your time with it and have all your documents ready before you start. It's better to be thorough than to rush and make mistakes.

Great advice! I'll start a folder for all my unemployment-related paperwork. Thanks everyone for all the helpful information - I feel much more confident about filing now.

Good luck with your claim! Remember, partial unemployment benefits can be a real lifesaver while you're looking for a replacement job.