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Just wanted to add that if you received unemployment in multiple states during the pandemic, you'll get separate 1099-G forms from each state's employment department. Don't forget to include all of them on your federal return.
Bottom line - yes you have to pay federal income tax on ALL unemployment benefits received after 2020. The temporary exclusion was only for 2020 tax year. Plan ahead for next year if you're still receiving benefits.
One more thing - if you ever don't receive your payment by Thursday and you filed on time, definitely call Washington ESD or use one of those callback services. Sometimes payments get stuck and you need to follow up.
This is where Claimyr really saved me time. Got the issue resolved in one call instead of days of trying to get through.
One more thing - if you receive any overpayment notices down the road, don't ignore them even if you think they're wrong. You can appeal overpayments but you need to act fast.
Good luck with your claim! The process seems overwhelming at first but once you get into the routine of filing weekly it becomes pretty straightforward. Just stay on top of the requirements and respond to any correspondence quickly.
One last thought - start thinking now about your job search strategy for when you're cleared. Washington ESD requires active job searching, so having a plan ready will help you hit the ground running.
Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. It's clear that the timing and documentation are crucial. I'll wait until I'm medically cleared and have everything properly documented before filing with Washington ESD.
Amina Toure
If you're really struggling financially during the waiting week, look into local food banks and emergency assistance programs. Some communities have resources specifically for people waiting for unemployment benefits to kick in.
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Mateo Hernandez
•That's really helpful advice, I hadn't thought about looking into emergency assistance
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Oliver Zimmermann
•211 is a good resource to call for local assistance programs
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Natasha Volkova
Bottom line: Yes, Washington state still requires a waiting week for unemployment benefits in 2023. File as soon as possible after job loss, complete all weekly requirements including during the waiting week, and be prepared for at least 2-3 weeks before receiving your first payment.
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Mateo Hernandez
•Perfect summary, thank you! This thread has been super helpful
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Javier Torres
•Agree, lots of good info here about the waiting week requirement
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