Which of the following is false regarding Washington ESD unemployment insurance program - study help needed

Oh that's really helpful! I didn't realize you could work part-time and still get benefits. What's the hour limit?

There's no specific hour limit, it's based on earnings. As long as you earn less than 1.5 times your weekly benefit amount, you can get partial UI.

Wait, is there still a waiting week? I thought Washington eliminated that during COVID?

You're right, my bad! Washington did eliminate the waiting week permanently in 2021. Good catch.

Thanks! I might need that if I have follow-up questions after my test.

Is that service legit? Sounds too good to be true with how impossible it is to reach ESD normally.

Yeah it's real. I used it last month when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Finally got to talk to an actual person instead of getting hung up on after 2 hours on hold.

What about if you're on standby? Does that count toward your 26 weeks?

Yes, standby weeks count toward your total benefit duration, but you don't have to do job searches during standby.

True, but you have to prove the good cause and it's not easy. Most voluntary quits result in disqualification unless there are really serious circumstances.

yeah its hard to prove but possible. i had a friend who got UI after quitting because her boss was making her work in dangerous conditions

This is really helpful for my studying. Are there any other partial benefit scenarios I should know about?

Yes - if your employer reduces your hours or if you take a lower-paying job while looking for something better, you might still qualify for partial UI.

Ugh tell me about it. My claim has been in adjudication for 5 weeks now with no updates.

That's exactly when Claimyr comes in handy - you can actually reach someone to check on your adjudication status instead of waiting indefinitely.

I might have to try that. Getting really desperate here.

What happens if you forget to report something small like a $50 freelance job?

Technically you're supposed to report everything. If they find out later it could be considered fraud, even if it was an honest mistake.

How many job contacts do you need per week in Washington?

It's 3 job search activities per week, and they have to be meaningful - not just browsing job boards.

What counts as a meaningful activity? I've been mostly just applying online.

Good point! So we do have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits?

Yes, you can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay them when you file your tax return.

What kind of circumstances would cause disqualification after approval?

Not doing required job searches, refusing suitable work offers, not reporting income, or if they discover new information about your separation from work.

So if I'm sick for a week, I need to report that I wasn't available for work?

Yes, you should answer honestly on your weekly claim. Being temporarily unable to work can affect that week's benefits.

But what if it's just a minor cold? Do they really expect you to report every sniffle?

That seems unfair if it's their mistake!

It is frustrating, but you can appeal overpayment notices and sometimes get them waived if you can prove it wasn't your fault.

How do you file an appeal? Is it complicated?

You can file online through your eServices account or mail in a written appeal. The process isn't too bad if you have your documentation ready.

Good point! I should make sure I understand the difference for my test.

UI is for people who are unemployed but able to work. Disability is for people who can't work due to medical conditions. Totally different systems.

Several people have mentioned that service now. Must really work if so many are recommending it.

Yeah I was skeptical at first but it saved me so much time and frustration. Finally got my questions answered instead of getting disconnected constantly.

Thanks! I'll double-check that my materials are up to date. This thread has been incredibly helpful for my studying.

Good luck on your test! Sounds like you've got a good understanding of the common misconceptions now.

So you need to have worked enough in the past year to qualify for a new benefit year?

Exactly. Washington looks at your base period earnings to determine if you qualify for a new claim and what your benefit amount would be.

This has been amazing help! Thanks everyone for taking the time to explain all these details.

And remember, if you do need to reach an agent later, claimyr.com can save you hours of frustration trying to get through the busy phone lines!