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Bottom line for the original poster - based on what you described (8 months full-time plus 6 months part-time), you should easily meet the earnings requirement. Being laid off rather than fired or quitting means you should qualify. Just file your claim online and let the system determine your eligibility officially.
Just to add to the Claimyr discussion - I used their service last month when I needed to talk to someone about my claim status and it actually worked great. Was skeptical at first but it beats the alternative of never getting through.
The bottom line is yes, unemployment is taxable income and yes, you should either withhold taxes or set money aside. Don't wait until April to deal with this - you'll thank yourself later for planning ahead.
Pro tip: start looking for jobs immediately even before your claim is approved. The job market is competitive right now and unemployment benefits don't last forever.
Final thought - document everything related to your termination while it's still fresh in your memory. Dates, conversations, witnesses, emails, etc. You never know what might be important if this goes to an appeal.
The unemployment system in Washington is actually pretty good compared to other states. The weekly benefit amounts are decent and the online system works most of the time. Just be prepared for long wait times if you need to call them about anything complicated.
Yeah, Claimyr. Check out claimyr.com if you're curious. They have a demo video that shows exactly how it works.
Bottom line - you don't need to do anything special about unemployment insurance right now. It's automatic as long as you're working as a W2 employee. Focus on doing good work and building your career, and know that the safety net is there if you ever need it.
Nia Watson
bottom line - its not welfare or charity. you paid for it, your employers paid for it, and you earned the right to collect it when you lost your job through no fault of your own. end of story.
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Scarlett Forster
•Well put! That really sums it up perfectly.
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Sayid Hassan
•exactly. its earned benefits not a handout
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Alberto Souchard
This whole thread has been super educational. Never really thought about the mechanics behind unemployment funding before but it makes total sense now. Thanks for asking the question OP!
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Scarlett Forster
•You're welcome! I'm glad other people found it helpful too. Sometimes the obvious questions are the ones worth asking.
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