A week with no shifts can leave a worker in an uncertain position: still employed, but without the hours they expected. Washington’s Employment Security Department says that situation may qualify for unemployment benefits, and a new reminder explains how to answer a question that can cause confusion.
The agency’s Nov. 12 guidance concerns weekly claims from people whose work has stopped, even temporarily. It can be useful when an employer has no hours to assign or a worksite closes because of weather.
The question to read carefully
After reporting hours and gross earnings in eServices, some claimants will see: “Did your work for your employer end, even temporarily?”
ESD gives this instruction for someone who is still with the employer but does not know whether they will receive hours the following week: answer yes and provide the last day worked. Answer no only if you know you will work the next week.
That is guidance for this particular question and situation. Give accurate information throughout the claim, including any work or earnings. Your answer does not by itself establish that benefits are payable.
You may qualify while working fewer hours
Unemployment benefits can include partial payments for eligible workers with reduced hours. ESD reviews both the claim and eligibility for each week; the amount you earn can reduce a weekly payment or leave no benefit payable for that week.
Regular claims generally require at least 680 hours of covered work in the base year, along with the other eligibility requirements. ESD also considers the reason for the loss of work and whether you are able and available for suitable work. Eligibility is not based on financial need.
Use ESD’s benefit estimator and linked earnings-deduction chart to understand how earnings may affect a payment. An estimate is not an approval.
Job-search rules depend on your situation
Working part time usually does not remove the requirement to look for work. However, the state has a specific employer-attached classification for some temporarily reduced-hour workers.
Under WAC 192-180-013, that classification includes workers hired full time whose employer temporarily reduces their weekly hours by no more than 60%, who meet the rule’s weekly earnings limit and who are expected back full time within four months. They are excused from registering for or seeking other work, but the rule requires them to be available for work offered by their regular employer.
Other part-time claimants generally need to seek full-time work. A separate part-time eligibility category requires wages in covered employment in at least 40 weeks of the base year, with no week involving wages for more than 17 hours. Otherwise eligible workers in that category may look for work of 17 or fewer hours a week. They must be available for at least 17 hours weekly during the usual hours and days for their occupation. Follow ESD’s determination of your status rather than assuming that being on the payroll waives job search.
Filing and getting help
You can apply through eServices or by phone. ESD’s application instructions identify “Currently working part-time” as the reason to select when your regular employer has reduced your usual full-time hours and you will have wages to report.
Once you apply, file a weekly claim for each week you want benefits, including while ESD is deciding eligibility. Report regular-job gross earnings for the week the work was performed, even if payday comes later. ESD’s Unemployed Worker’s Handbook explains the reporting rules. The first eligible week is normally an unpaid waiting week.
If an employer is trying to avoid layoffs, its SharedWork plan may offer another route. The program allows approved employers to reduce usual hours by 10% to 50%, with eligible workers receiving partial unemployment benefits. It requires employer participation and ESD approval.
For help with an application, a weekly-claim answer or a correction, call the Claims Center at 800-318-6022. Washington Relay Service is available at 711 for people with a hearing or speech disability. ESD also says people without a computer or phone can use one free at a WorkSource employment center.
