What is unemployment definition for Washington ESD claims - confused about eligibility

Unemployment for Washington ESD purposes isn't just about being completely jobless. You can qualify for partial unemployment benefits if your work hours or wages have been reduced through no fault of your own. Since your employer cut your hours from 35 to 15, you might qualify for partial UI benefits. The key is that the reduction wasn't due to your performance or misconduct.

I was in a similar situation last year. Washington ESD defines unemployment as being totally or partially unemployed through no fault of your own. You have to be able and available for work, and actively seeking work. The partial unemployment thing is legit - I got benefits when my hours were cut.

For Washington ESD eligibility, unemployment means you're either totally unemployed or working reduced hours/wages due to lack of work. You need to have earned enough wages in your base period, be able and available for work, and actively seeking employment. There's also a weekly benefit amount threshold - if your reduced earnings are too high, you might not qualify for any benefits that week.

I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about my partial unemployment claim and keep getting busy signals. Their phone system is impossible! Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there? I need to understand my specific situation better.

The Washington ESD unemployment definition is pretty broad actually. You can be working and still qualify if your situation meets certain criteria. The main thing is that your unemployment has to be through no fault of your own - layoffs, hour reductions, business closures, etc. Performance issues or quitting usually disqualify you.

ugh the washington esd system is so confusing!! i thought unemployment meant you had to be completely out of work but apparently thats not true?? why dont they make this clearer on their website

Just a quick note - make sure you understand the difference between voluntary and involuntary unemployment when you file with Washington ESD. If you quit your job, that's voluntary and usually disqualifies you unless you had good cause. Hour reductions by your employer are involuntary and typically qualify.

One thing to keep in mind is that Washington ESD has monetary and non-monetary eligibility requirements. The unemployment definition covers the non-monetary side - why you're unemployed and your work availability. But you also need sufficient wages in your base period for the monetary side.

The able and available requirement is part of the unemployment definition too. You have to be physically and mentally able to work, and available for work during normal business hours. This can be tricky if you have restrictions.

Update - I tried that Claimyr thing and actually got through to a Washington ESD agent! They explained my partial unemployment situation perfectly. Turns out I was overthinking the whole definition thing. If your hours are cut involuntarily, you're unemployed for Washington ESD purposes even if you're still working some.

For anyone else confused about unemployment definitions, Washington ESD has several categories: total unemployment (no work), partial unemployment (reduced hours/wages), and even temporary unemployment (short-term layoffs). The key is that it's involuntary and you meet the other eligibility requirements.

The bottom line is that Washington ESD's unemployment definition is broader than most people think. If you're working less than full-time through no fault of your own, and you meet the wage and availability requirements, you're likely eligible for some benefits. Don't assume you don't qualify just because you're still working some hours.

One more thing about Washington ESD unemployment definitions - you also need to be registered for work with WorkSourceWA and actively seeking employment. This applies even for partial unemployment claims. It's part of the available for work requirement.

just wanted to say thanks for asking this question OP. i was in the same boat and thought i didnt qualify because i was still working. turns out partial unemployment is a real thing and i should have filed months ago!

Final summary for anyone reading this later: Washington ESD unemployment includes both total and partial unemployment. You can qualify for benefits if your work hours or wages are reduced involuntarily, even if you're still working. Key requirements are having sufficient wages in your base period, being able and available for work, and actively seeking employment. The specific definition is in Washington Administrative Code if you want the legal details.

Just wanted to add that Washington ESD also considers "constructive discharge" as unemployment in some cases. This is when working conditions become so unreasonable that you're essentially forced to quit - like if your employer drastically changes your job duties, cuts your pay significantly, or creates a hostile work environment. It's still considered involuntary unemployment even though you technically quit. This might be relevant for people who think they don't qualify because they left their job voluntarily. The key is proving the employer's actions made continuing work unreasonable.