Will ESD unemployment pay the difference if I take a lower-paying job?
Got laid off from my IT project manager position last month and currently receiving $937/week in unemployment benefits (nearly the max). I've been doing my required job searches diligently - applying both in my field and for backup options. Yesterday I received an offer for a customer service position paying only $19/hour ($760/week before taxes), which is WAY below my previous salary of $92K. I'm conflicted about what to do and have several questions: 1) If I decline this lower-paying job, will ESD consider this refusing suitable work? Could I lose my benefits? 2) If I accept this job, would I still qualify for partial unemployment to make up some of the difference? 3) If I take this job temporarily but then find something in my field at my previous pay level, could there be problems quitting the lower-paying job? I'm trying to make the right decision here but don't want to jeopardize my benefits or future employment. Has anyone navigated this situation with ESD before?
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Tyrone Hill
Be careful here. ESD can definitely disqualify you for refusing "suitable work" but suitable is the keyword. The job has to match your skills, experience, and previous wage level to be considered suitable during your initial weeks on unemployment. As time goes on (after 5-6 weeks), the definition of suitable work expands. Were you specifically referred to this job by WorkSource?
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Anderson Prospero
•No, I found the customer service job through Indeed on my own, not through WorkSource. That's good to know about the timing affecting what's considered suitable work. I've only been on unemployment for about 3 weeks so far.
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Toot-n-Mighty
Yes, you can receive partial unemployment if your new job pays less than your weekly benefit amount. You'll need to report your gross earnings each week when you file your weekly claim, and ESD will deduct a portion of your earnings from your benefit payment. ESD uses this formula: For every $1 you earn, they deduct $0.75 from your benefits. So in your case: - Weekly benefit: $937 - New job earnings: $760 - Deduction: $760 × 0.75 = $570 - Partial benefit you'd receive: $937 - $570 = $367 So you'd make $760 from work plus $367 from unemployment for a total of $1,127 per week (before taxes), which is better than just your benefit amount.
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Lena Kowalski
•This is what I did last year and it worked out ok. Just make SURE you report your exact earnings each week or you'll end up with an overpayment notice later. They are super strict about that.
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DeShawn Washington
DONT TAKE THE LOWER PAYING JOB!!! They're USING the unemployment system to get desperate workers. I made this mistake and regretted it. Once you accept lower pay, it's hard to explain to future employers why you took such a big step down. Wait for something better that matches your skills!!
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Mei-Ling Chen
•This isn't entirely accurate advice. Per WAC 192-170-050, after 5 weeks, claimants must expand their job search beyond their customary occupation and accept work at 90% of their previous wage. After 10 weeks, that drops to 80%, and after 15 weeks, you need to consider jobs at 75% of previous wages. So timing matters here.
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Sofía Rodríguez
I'm in a simalar situation. I got laid off from accoutning job and now offered one that pays 40% less. I called ESD to ask about this but was on hold for 3 HOURS before getting hung up on!! How are we supposed to make decisions if we cant even talk to anyone?? So frustrating!!!
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Aiden O'Connor
•Have you tried Claimyr? I was having the same problem with endless holds and disconnects trying to ask about suitable work requirements. I used claimyr.com and they got me through to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Totally worth it because the agent clarified everything about my situation.
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Mei-Ling Chen
Regarding your third question about quitting the lower-paying job if you find something better: This is generally acceptable from ESD's perspective if you're quitting for a better job. Under WAC 192-150-050, quitting to accept "bona fide work with another employer" that starts within a reasonable time is considered good cause. Just make sure you have the new job offer in writing before quitting, and that the start date is within 2 weeks of when you give notice at the temp job.
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Anderson Prospero
•That's really helpful info, thank you! I was worried about getting trapped in the lower-paying job because of unemployment requirements.
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Lena Kowalski
Just to add another perspecitve, i took a lower paying job while on unemploment and still got partial benefits. It actualy helped extend my claim since i was using fewer benefit dollers each week. gave me mor time to find the right position eventually. just my 2 cents
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Anderson Prospero
•That's a good point about extending the claim duration - I hadn't thought about that benefit of taking partial unemployment.
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DeShawn Washington
Has anyone noticed how ESD seems to be pushing people into lower wage jobs faster than they used to? Back in 2020 they were way more understanding about waiting for the right job match. Now they're just trying to get everyone off the system asap!
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Tyrone Hill
•The rules haven't actually changed, but enforcement definitely varies based on the unemployment rate and available funding. When unemployment is low (like now), they tend to be stricter about job search requirements and suitable work provisions.
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Toot-n-Mighty
One more thing to consider: If you've been in your industry for a long time, you might qualify for Training Benefits or Commissioner-Approved Training that would allow you to maintain benefits while seeking work exclusively in your field or even while retraining. Worth looking into if you're concerned about being forced to take unsuitable work.
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Anderson Prospero
•I've been in IT project management for 8 years - would that qualify as "a long time" for these training benefits? I'll definitely research this option. I'd much rather find the right role than jump into something that doesn't utilize my skills.
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