Washington ESD seasonal unemployment - how does demand for labor affect my claim?

You definitely qualify for unemployment benefits during seasonal layoffs. The key is that you need to be actively seeking work unless you're on official standby status with your employer. Even if you expect to be called back, Washington ESD requires you to search for jobs and report your job search activities.

Thanks! So I still need to apply for jobs even though my foreman said they'll call me back in March?

Yes, you have to meet the job search requirements unless your employer puts you on official standby. That means they have to give you a specific return date within 4 weeks.

I work landscaping and go through this every year. The demand for labor thing is totally normal for seasonal industries. You can collect unemployment but you have to keep looking for work. I usually apply to indoor jobs during winter months.

Do you actually take those indoor jobs if they offer them? I don't want to mess up my situation with my regular employer.

If it's good pay and benefits, yeah I'll take it. Your unemployment stops when you start working anyway, and your regular job isn't guaranteed to call you back.

Been trying to get through to Washington ESD for three days about this exact situation! Their phone lines are always busy and when I do get through they hang up after being on hold forever. So frustrating when you just need a simple answer about seasonal work requirements.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I found it on claimyr.com and it actually got me through to a Washington ESD agent last week. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Never heard of that, is it legit? I'm desperate at this point because my weekly claim is due tomorrow.

Yeah it's real, just helps you get through their phone system. Way better than hitting redial for hours.

The Washington ESD website has a whole section about seasonal workers. You're considered unemployed due to lack of work, which is exactly what unemployment insurance is for. The 'demand for labor varies during the year' thing is just how seasonal industries work - construction, agriculture, tourism, etc.

Where on their website? I've been looking everywhere and can't find clear info about seasonal unemployment.

It's under the eligibility section, but honestly their website is confusing. The main point is you qualify as long as you're able and available for work.

Their website is terrible. I spent 2 hours trying to find basic information about my claim status last week.

Update: I called Washington ESD this morning and actually got through! The agent confirmed that seasonal layoffs definitely qualify for benefits. She said I need to keep filing weekly claims and do my job searches, but I can focus on temporary or seasonal work if I want. Also learned that if my employer gives me a definite return date within 4 weeks, I might qualify for standby status.

How did you get through?? I've been calling for days with no luck.

I used that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier. Worked like a charm - got connected to an agent in about 10 minutes instead of calling all day.

Standby status is great if you can get it. You don't have to do job searches but you also can't work anywhere else.

For anyone else dealing with seasonal unemployment, make sure you understand the difference between 'able and available' and standby status. If you're able and available, you must actively seek work. If you're on standby, you're waiting for your employer to call you back with a specific date.

What if your employer says 'probably March' but doesn't give an exact date? Does that count as standby?

No, it has to be a definite date within 4 weeks. 'Probably March' means you need to do job searches and file as able and available.

This whole system is ridiculous. Why should seasonal workers have to pretend to look for other jobs when everyone knows they're going back to their regular employer? The demand for labor obviously changes with seasons - that's not the worker's fault!

The job search requirement makes sense though. What if your regular employer doesn't call you back? At least you've been looking for alternatives.

I guess, but it feels like busy work when you know you're going back to the same job every spring.

Better to have the safety net of unemployment than nothing at all during slow seasons.

I'm in retail and our hours get cut way back after Christmas. Is that considered seasonal unemployment too, or do I not qualify since I'm still technically employed?

If your hours are reduced significantly, you might qualify for partial unemployment benefits. It's different from being completely laid off though.

Thanks, I'll look into partial benefits. I went from 40 hours to maybe 15 hours a week.

Been dealing with seasonal layoffs for 15 years in roofing. The key thing to remember is that unemployment insurance exists exactly because demand for labor varies throughout the year. That's literally what it's designed for - temporary unemployment due to economic conditions beyond your control.

That makes me feel better about filing. I kept thinking I was somehow gaming the system.

Nope, you paid into the system through your paychecks. It's your money when you need it.

Does anyone know if seasonal workers can get extended benefits if the season runs longer than usual? Like if winter construction shutdown lasts longer due to weather?

Extended benefits depend on the state's unemployment rate, not individual circumstances. But you can collect your full benefit amount regardless of why you're unemployed.

Good to know. I was worried about running out of benefits if spring work gets delayed.

Update on my situation - finally got through to Washington ESD using Claimyr and confirmed my seasonal layoff qualifies. The agent was actually really helpful once I could talk to someone. Definitely recommend it if you're having trouble getting through on the phone.

How much does Claimyr cost? Is it worth it just to make a phone call?

Honestly didn't even think about cost when I was desperate to talk to someone. Way cheaper than missing work to sit on hold all day.

The seasonal nature of construction work is exactly why unemployment insurance was created during the Great Depression. Industries where demand for labor varies seasonally need this safety net for workers.

Interesting history! I never thought about when unemployment insurance started.

Yeah, it was specifically designed for situations like seasonal unemployment and economic downturns.

Quick question - do I need to report unemployment income on my taxes differently if it's from seasonal layoffs versus being fired or quitting?

No, all unemployment benefits are reported the same way on your taxes regardless of why you were unemployed.

Thanks! Just wanted to make sure since it's my first time filing taxes with unemployment income.

For seasonal workers reading this: make sure you save some of your unemployment benefits for taxes. They don't automatically withhold state taxes in Washington, and you'll owe federal taxes on the benefits.

Good advice! I learned that the hard way last year.

Yeah, it's easy to forget that unemployment benefits are taxable income.

Anyone else notice that seasonal unemployment seems more common now? Even industries that used to be year-round are having seasonal layoffs because demand for labor varies so much.

I think it's partly because companies are trying to avoid paying benefits for full-time permanent employees.

Could be. Either way, at least we have unemployment insurance to help during the slow periods.

Just want to say thanks to everyone who shared info about seasonal unemployment. I was stressed about filing but now I understand it's totally normal and legitimate. The demand for labor varying throughout the year isn't something workers can control.

Same here! This thread really helped me understand my rights as a seasonal worker.

That's what these forums are for - helping each other navigate the unemployment system.