Washington State Unemployment for Full-Time With Side Job?

Post date: 2020-05-24 04:50:21

I think I might have reported my side job incorrectly on my unemployment benefits application, and now I'm concerned it might get in the way of my receiving benefits. Do I need to amend my application? And if so, how do I do that?

I can't get through the phone line for the Washington unemployment department, so figured I'd try here!

I work a full-time job in Washington state that was furloughed 20%, but I also do some independent contractor work on the side (in Oregon). When I originally filed, I noted both sources of income, but there didn't seem to be a clear way to note my freelance income as freelance. The department sent a letter to my freelance employer asking if I'd been let go, and they said no...because I wasn't a full-time employee.

Ultimately, I didn't qualify for benefits based on my earnings, so I didn't worry about their response getting in the way of anything. But my full-time company is now a part of the Shared Work program, so I'm trying to go back in and submit claims for the last several weeks.

I'm concerned that the response from my freelance employer may be problematic and make it look like I'm trying to defraud the system. It seems that I was approved anyway, I just didn't qualify based on earnings, so maybe I'm fine? Do I need to amend my application just to be clear/avoid any implication of unemployment fraud? How do I even do that? I don't see any link on the site to amend an existing application.

When I do try to submit a claim, they want to know hours/pay/etc. for that freelance job, but I'm concerned about them repeatedly asking that company and repeatedly being told they didn't let me go. What do I do?

Please click Here to read the full story.