Washington ESD partial unemployment - how many hours can I work?

That's helpful! So it's more about the money I make than the actual hours? I think my weekly benefit would be around $400 based on my previous wages.

Exactly right. And Washington ESD deducts your earnings dollar-for-dollar from your benefit amount, so if you earn $200 that week, you'd get $200 in UI benefits ($400 - $200).

This is so important! I know someone who got hit with an overpayment because they didn't report some side work they were doing.

Good point. I'll definitely report everything. Better to be safe than sorry with Washington ESD.

Wait, I still have to job search even though I'm working? That seems weird since I already have a job.

Yeah, the job search requirement applies to all UI claims unless you're specifically on standby status with your employer. It's because partial unemployment is meant to be temporary while you look for full-time work.

That job search requirement is such a pain when you're already working part-time. Like, when am I supposed to have time to apply for 3 jobs a week?

How does that work exactly? Do they just call for you or something?

They basically handle the calling process and get you connected to an actual Washington ESD representative. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting hung up on.

Thanks, that's reassuring. I was overthinking it I guess.

Simple is better with Washington ESD. Just be honest and accurate with your reporting.

My manager said the hour cuts might be permanent depending on business. So I don't think standby would apply to my situation.

Then regular partial unemployment sounds right for you. Just file your initial claim online and start doing your weekly claims.

Because people's wages vary so much. A person making $15/hour working 30 hours is different from someone making $30/hour working 30 hours. The earnings-based system is actually more fair.

I guess that makes sense but it's still confusing when you're trying to figure out if you qualify.

Good catch! I probably would have reported my net pay. So I report what I earned before taxes are taken out?

Exactly. Report your gross wages - what you earned before any deductions.

Yes! I do get tips. So I need to estimate my weekly tip income and report that along with my hourly wages?

Right, all income from work needs to be reported, including tips. Keep track of your daily tips if possible to make the weekly reporting easier.

how much does that cost though? seems like it might be expensive

It's really not bad considering how much time it saves and the stress it eliminates. Plus getting wrong information could cost way more if you mess up your claim.

How long did it take for your first payment? I'm worried about the wait time.

Mine took about 2 weeks after I filed the initial claim. Not too bad compared to some people who wait longer.

What kind of records should I keep? Just my pay stubs?

Pay stubs, work schedules, tip records if applicable, and maybe a simple log of hours worked each day. Doesn't have to be fancy, just accurate.

Screenshots of your weekly claim submissions are helpful too, just in case there are ever any disputes about what you reported.

Do they check to make sure the job applications are real or can I just apply to random jobs?

They can check, so make real applications. But you can apply to jobs similar to what you're already doing - it doesn't have to be a huge stretch.

That's exactly what I'm worried about. The Washington ESD website looks pretty outdated.

This is another reason why having Claimyr as backup is helpful. If you run into technical issues or need to talk to someone, they can get you through to an agent who can process things manually.

Waiting week? What does that mean exactly?

Your first week of unemployment usually doesn't get paid - it's called a waiting week. So the sooner you file, the sooner you get through that unpaid week.

Thanks everyone! This has been super helpful. I feel much more confident about filing my claim now.

Good luck! Remember to file your weekly claims every week even if you don't think you'll get a payment. Skipping weeks can cause problems later.

And don't stress too much about making small mistakes. Washington ESD will usually contact you if they need clarification on something.

Appreciate all the encouragement. Going to file my claim this weekend.

Definitely. I'll keep a close eye on my schedule and report any changes right away.

That's the right attitude. Being proactive about reporting changes protects you from overpayment issues down the road.

Thanks! I'll definitely keep that in mind if I run into any issues with my claim.

This thread has been incredibly helpful. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice!