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One more thing - make sure your employer doesn't contest your claim. If they do, it could delay your benefits while Washington ESD investigates. Most layoffs are straightforward but it's something to be aware of.
This has been a really informative thread. I'm saving it for reference because I know other people in my situation who could use this info. Thanks everyone!
Good luck with everything! The uncertainty of maybe losing your job is stressful enough without having to worry about whether you'll qualify for benefits. At least you're planning ahead.
One last tip - keep records of everything related to your job loss. If there are any questions later about your eligibility or why you became unemployed, having documentation makes everything much easier.
The benefit amount is only part of it - you also have to think about how it affects your taxes. Unemployment benefits are taxable income at federal and state level. I learned that the hard way when I got a huge tax bill after being on unemployment for most of 2024.
My advice is to apply as soon as you lose your job and don't wait. The sooner you file, the sooner you can start collecting. And if you run into issues with Washington ESD (which unfortunately happens a lot), don't be afraid to use resources like Claimyr to actually get through to an agent who can help you.
Make sure you understand the waiting week too. You don't get paid for your first week of unemployment in Washington. So even if you qualify for benefits, your first payment won't come until week 2.
Last tip - set up direct deposit if you can. Paper checks take forever and sometimes get lost in the mail. Direct deposit hits your account within 1-2 business days of processing.
Definitely will do that. Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! This thread answered way more questions than the Washington ESD website.
Glad we could help! And remember, if you run into issues getting through to Washington ESD, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really does work. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to sort things out.
Leila Haddad
One more thing to consider - make sure you understand the tax implications of IHSS income too. It might affect your taxes differently than regular employment.
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Carlos Mendoza
•Good point. I hadn't even thought about the tax side of things yet.
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Emma Johnson
•Yeah, since IHSS is technically self-employment income, you might need to pay self-employment taxes on it.
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Ravi Patel
Bottom line from my experience: Report the IHSS income, keep doing your job searches, and don't stress too much about it. Washington ESD deals with this situation all the time.
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TechNinja
•And remember, if you ever need to clarify anything directly with Washington ESD, Claimyr can help you get through to an agent without the usual phone hassles.
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Carlos Mendoza
•I'll definitely keep that in mind. Thanks again everyone!
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