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remember to apply online through the washington esd website, its faster than trying to do it over the phone
The most important thing is just to file your claim and let Washington ESD make the determination. From what you've described, you almost certainly qualify, and the worst thing that can happen is they say no - but at least you'll know for sure and won't miss out on benefits you're entitled to.
One last thing - make sure you understand your weekly benefit amount before that first payment hits. You can see this in your claim summary. It's based on your earnings history and will be the same each week (assuming you don't have any part-time work to report).
I work in HR and deal with unemployment claims regularly. For a standard layoff situation like yours, regular unemployment insurance through Washington ESD is the correct program. Don't let all the different terms confuse you.
Bottom line: if you're unemployed through no fault of your own and looking for work, apply for regular unemployment insurance. That's the main program and covers most people's situations.
Just to add - if there ever are federal extensions or special programs in the future, Washington ESD will automatically determine if you qualify. You won't need to file separate applications.
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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