Definitions of terms

You normally work less than full time or you accept part-time work. You need to be available for and actively seeking full-time work during all hours usual for your occupation.

We consider you partially unemployed if all of these apply. You:

• Were hired to work full time.
• Had your hours temporarily reduced by less than 60%.
• Earned less than 1 and 1/3 times your weekly benefit amount plus $5 each week you file a claim.
• Expect to return to full-time work for the same employer within 4 months. 

You do not need to look for work while partially unemployed.

We received your weekly unemployment claim and are processing it to determine whether you are eligible for benefits for the week. Check under the "Pending issues" tab in eServices to see if we need more information from you. If you already responded to requests for more information, you don't need to do anything.

We received your weekly claim but have not yet issued a payment. We usually process unemployment claims for payment within 48 hours if we decide you are eligible. If we have questions about your claim, we will request more information from you.

Businesses that manage human-resource issues for other companies, such as:

• Workers’ compensation.
• Payroll.
• Unemployment taxes.

A program for helping some unemployment claimants with their reemployment goals. The program connects participants with in-person assessments and reemployment services through local American Job Centers (WorkSource centers). Activities include developing a reemployment plan, researching labor market information, identifying job skills and prospects, and reviewing unemployment benefit eligibility.

A wage subsidy for older TAA-certified workers. It pays up to 50% of the difference between someone’s new wage and the wages they made at a job affected by foreign trade. The program is for eligible trade-affected workers ages 50 or older who get a new job that pays less than their trade-affected job.

All compensation paid to a worker for personal services performed. It includes wages, commissions, bonuses, the cash value of compensation paid in any form other than cash and the value of tips. Services do not have to be in covered employment.

The amount you earned in any week you claim benefits, even if you have not been paid yet. You should report earnings in the week you did the work, not when you got paid. Earnings include all compensation you earned, including wages, commissions and bonuses, the cash value of compensation paid in any form other than cash, and the value of tips.

Washington state law dictates when you can qualify for a second unemployment claim. You must “requalify” for benefits on that second claim. In addition to working 680 hours in your new base year, you must return to work and earn 6 times your weekly benefit amount of your new claim. Agents at the Unemployment Claims Center can explain requalification if it applies to you.

Read more about the laws for requalification on the Washington Legislature website.
 

State laws now in effect. They are either passed by the Washington State Legislature and signed by the governor or enacted through the initiative process.

A central login that lets you access the online services of multiple state agencies. It’s often referred to as SAW. Read more about eServices for individuals or read more about eServices for employers.
 

Allows unemployment claimants to receive self-employment training and business counseling while collecting unemployment benefits. If you qualify and enroll in an approved training program, you do not have to look for other work while in this program. Learn more about the Self-Employment Assistance program.
 

 A payment that an employer makes, is making or will make to you as a result of separation from a job. Separation pay can be any of the following:

• Wages in lieu of notice.
• Terminal leave pay.
• Severance pay.
• Separation pay.
• Dismissal payments or wages.

You need to report this pay on your weekly claim for the week you earned it, regardless of when you receive it. 

A voluntary program that helps employers retain employees at reduced hours. SharedWork offers qualified employers an alternative to laying off employees during general economic downturns. Learn more about SharedWork.
 

During a temporary layoff, when an employer plans to rehire 1 or more laid-off employees within a certain time, ESD may approve a request to place the workers on standby. Approved workers do not need to look for work while they are collecting unemployment benefits during the approved standby period.

Wages that may have been reported under the wrong Social Security number (SSN). After you apply for unemployment benefits, we send you a letter with a list of your wages used to create your claim. If you notice wages you are certain you did not earn, please report it to the Unemployment Claims Center.

Any job in your usual occupation that meets all of the following standards:

• Meets the usual wage for your location and labor market.
• Meets usual working conditions for your location and labor market.
• Is in line with your experience or training.

You must be able and available to work to be eligible for unemployment benefits. To be able and available if you are working or seeking work in another country, you need to be authorized by that country’s government to work there. 

To be able and available if you are located in another country and seeking work in the U.S., you must be either:

• Immediately able to travel back to the U.S. for work.
• Able to work remotely and authorized to work in the country where you’re located. 
   

An unemployment claim that uses a special base year for those who were disabled but are now physically able to return to work. A total disability means a worker is not able to perform a job because of a physical or mental impairment.

A company that provides claim processing and manages employee benefits under contract to another company.

A Trade Act program that helps workers who are unemployed due to foreign trade. Examples of foreign trade are increased imports from foreign countries or shifts in production to foreign countries. The goal of Trade Act programs is to help trade-affected workers return to suitable work as quickly as possible. An employer must file a petition with the U.S. Department of Labor to certify that the business was affected by foreign trade.

 A Trade Act program that provides additional weeks of unemployment benefits for claimants who have met all of the following:

• Lost their jobs because of foreign trade.
• Have used up their regular unemployment benefits.
• Do not qualify for a new claim in Washington or any other state.

Claimants must be certified under the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program and be determined eligible for TRA. Learn more about assistance for workers affected by foreign trade.
 

Additional state unemployment benefits paid to qualified workers in ESD-approved training. Find more information about Training Benefits.
 

Temporary income when you lose your job through no fault of your own. The money partly replaces your lost earnings and helps you pay expenses while looking for new work. The benefits, funded by taxes paid by your former employers, are not based on financial need. While you receive benefits, your job is to get back to work as quickly as possible.