Washington ESD unemployment eligibility - can I apply if I was paid under the table?

Unfortunately, Washington ESD bases unemployment benefits on wages that were reported to them by employers. If your employer didn't report your wages or pay unemployment taxes on your behalf, there's no record of your employment in their system. This means you likely won't qualify for regular unemployment benefits based on that job.

Wait, do you have ANY other jobs in the past year and a half that were legitimate? Even part-time work where taxes were taken out? Washington ESD looks at your base period which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters.

I had a similar situation and found that calling Washington ESD directly was the only way to get a real answer about my specific case. The automated system and website couldn't handle my complicated work history. I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Game changer for getting past the busy signals.

this is exactly whats wrong with the system!!! employers break the law and workers suffer. you should report that restaurant to the dept of labor too

You should definitely apply anyway. Even if the under-the-table job doesn't count, they'll look at all your work history. The worst they can do is deny you, but you might qualify based on other employment. The application process will show you exactly what wages they have on record for you.

I'm in food service too and this cash payment thing is SO common. It's really messed up that restaurants get away with this and leave workers with no safety net. Did you keep any records of your hours or pay stubs?

One more thing to consider - if you do end up qualifying for benefits based on your other employment, make sure you're prepared for the job search requirements. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week and you need to keep detailed records.

Had a friend go through this exact situation last year. He ended up qualifying for like $150/week based on an old part-time job. Not much but it helped with groceries while he looked for work.

BTW, when you apply make sure you're honest about all your employment including the under-the-table work. Washington ESD has ways of finding out about unreported income and it's better to be upfront than get hit with an overpayment later.

wait so if the restaurant didn't pay unemployment taxes on his wages, does that mean they owe money to the state?

I worked under the table for years and never thought about unemployment until I really needed it. Such a hard lesson to learn. Now I always make sure any job I take reports my wages properly.

Just wanted to follow up on the Claimyr thing - I used them again last month when I had questions about my weekly claims. Really helped me avoid a potential issue with my certification. Sometimes talking to an actual person is the only way to get things sorted out properly.

Also worth mentioning - if you do qualify for benefits, you'll need to register with WorkSource Washington for job search assistance. It's a requirement for most people receiving unemployment.

man the whole system is so complicated, why cant they just make it simple to get help when you need it

Check if you qualify for any other assistance programs too while you're at it. Food stamps, housing assistance, etc. Don't just rely on unemployment if you can get help from other sources.

I've been following this thread and just wanted to say good luck with your application. Even if you only qualify for a small amount, it's something. And honestly, reporting employers who pay under the table helps protect other workers too.

Quick question - does Washington ESD verify employment by contacting employers directly or do they just go off what's in their system?

This whole situation is exactly why I tell everyone to keep their own records of everything. Pay stubs, work schedules, everything. You never know when you'll need to prove your employment history.

Hope it works out for you. The restaurant industry is notorious for this kind of thing. Maybe once you're back on your feet you can look for employers who do things properly.