Anyone else think the whole partial unemployment process should be simplified? Like why make people jump through the same hoops as regular unemployment when they're already working?

I'm in a really similar boat - my restaurant cut everyone's hours to like 20 hours a week and I had no idea partial unemployment was even possible! This whole thread is a lifesaver. One question though - if my employer eventually brings my hours back up to full-time, do I just stop filing weekly claims? Or do I need to formally close my unemployment claim somehow?

One more thing to consider - once you start your job, you'll file one more weekly claim for your last week of unemployment (the partial week before starting work). If you start mid-week, you can report your earnings for the days you worked, and potentially get partial benefits for the days you didn't work. Just be honest about your hours and earnings when you file that final claim.

Congrats on getting your job back! I went through something similar last year. Just wanted to emphasize what others have said - definitely report the job offer on your next weekly claim when it asks about accepting future work. I made the mistake of thinking I only needed to report it when I actually started, but ESD specifically wants to know about offers too. Also, if you're looking for job search activities that don't feel wasteful, you could do things like update your LinkedIn profile, attend virtual job fairs, or do online career assessments. Those all count toward your 3 required activities and might actually be useful for your career even though you already have this position lined up.

Bottom line: yes you have to search for work, 3 activities per week minimum, log everything in WorkSourceWA, keep detailed records. There's no getting around it unless you have a specific exemption like standby status. Better to overcomply than risk losing your benefits.

I just went through this exact situation last month! Yes, you absolutely must do job search activities - it's 3 per week minimum. I was also confused at first because there's so much conflicting information out there. What really helped me was setting up a simple routine: I spend Monday morning applying to jobs, Wednesday doing networking or attending virtual workshops, and Friday following up on applications or doing skills training. The key is logging EVERYTHING in WorkSourceWA immediately after you do it. Don't wait until the end of the week like I did initially - it's much harder to remember all the details. Also, keep a backup folder with screenshots and emails just in case. The system seems overwhelming at first but once you get into the habit, it becomes second nature.

Don't stress too much about the process. Washington state is pretty good about processing restaurant worker claims since it's such a common industry here. Your tips will be included in the benefit calculation, and you should be able to get approved without major issues.

As someone who just went through the unemployment process as a restaurant worker myself, I can confirm everything others have said - you absolutely qualify! Your tip income is crucial for calculating your benefits, so make sure you have documentation ready. One tip I'd add: when you create your online account, save your login info somewhere safe. You'll be logging in weekly to file claims, and it's frustrating if you get locked out. Also, don't be discouraged if the website is slow or crashes sometimes - it happens, especially on Sundays when everyone is filing their weekly claims. Just try again later. The whole process was less scary than I expected once I got started.

Great to hear it worked out! This is really helpful info for others in similar situations. BECU does seem to be pretty reliable with government deposits - I've had good experiences with them too. It's always nerve-wracking when you're counting on that money for bills, but at least now you know the typical timeline for future payments. Glad you made it through the adjudication process and are finally getting your benefits!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else who might be wondering about timing - I've been getting UI benefits for about 8 months now and the pattern is pretty consistent. When ESD shows "paid" on Saturday, the money hits my account (Wells Fargo) on Monday around 3-4am. When it shows "paid" on Friday, it usually arrives the same Monday. The only time I've had delays was during a federal holiday when banks were closed an extra day. One tip: if you're stressed about timing like the OP was, you can usually see pending deposits in your online banking on Sunday evening, even though they won't officially post until Monday morning. That at least gives you peace of mind that it's coming!