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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
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An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
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I had a similar situation with my retail job - they kept cutting hours but wouldn't lay anyone off completely. Partial unemployment benefits really helped bridge the gap while I found a better job. The whole process took about 3 weeks from filing to receiving my first payment.
3 weeks seems reasonable. Did you have any issues with your employer contesting the claim?
No, they didn't contest it. I think they knew they had cut everyone's hours and couldn't really argue against it. Having documentation of the schedule changes definitely helped.
Double-check that you meet the monetary requirements before spending too much time on the application. If you don't have enough earnings in your base period, you'll just get denied and have to wait to reapply later.
The Washington ESD website has some calculators and information about base period requirements. You can also call them, though like others mentioned, getting through can be challenging.
Or use Claimyr to get through to an agent who can check your earnings history and tell you if you qualify before you file. That way you're not wasting time on an application that will get denied.
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anyone know if this is different for government employees? i work for the state and wondering if the same rules apply
Same basic rules apply for state employees. Washington state employees pay into the UI system just like private sector workers.
good to know, thanks!
This thread is super helpful! One more question - what if you worked multiple part-time jobs during the base period? Do all those wages get combined?
Yes, all your covered wages from all employers during the base period get combined to determine if you meet the minimum requirements.
Perfect, that should put me well over the minimum then. Thanks everyone!
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Just remember that even if something does go wrong, it's usually fixable. Washington ESD has issues but they do eventually get things sorted out. Stay on top of your weekly claims and you should be fine.
Good advice. I'll make sure to file every week on time and keep good records.
That's the key - consistency and good record keeping. You've got this!
The waiting is definitely the hardest part. But based on what you've described, it sounds like your claim is processing normally and you should see your first payment next week after you file your second weekly claim.
Perfect, that matches what others have said too. I'm feeling much more confident about the timeline now. Thanks everyone for all the help!
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One more thing to keep in mind - if you're getting any severance pay from your employer, that might affect when your unemployment benefits can start. Washington ESD has rules about how severance impacts your eligibility timing.
I'm not getting severance, but that's good to know for other people who might be reading this.
Yeah, it's one of those things that can surprise people. Better to mention it during your application than have it cause problems later.
Final thought - even though there can be delays and frustrations with Washington ESD, the unemployment benefits are definitely there and available. Most people who are eligible do eventually receive their payments. Just be patient and persistent if you run into any issues.
I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain everything. This thread has been super helpful!
That's what these forums are for! Good luck with your application and I hope everything goes smoothly for you.
Layla Sanders
Also remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them when you file your return next year.
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Noah Torres
•Ugh, I didn't think about taxes. Should I have them withheld?
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Layla Sanders
•Probably a good idea to have 10% withheld so you don't get hit with a big tax bill later.
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Morgan Washington
Good thread. Lots of solid info here. The 26 week limit is firm unless there are special circumstances or extended benefits get triggered, which hasn't happened in Washington for a while now.
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Noah Torres
•Thanks to everyone who contributed. I feel much more informed now about what to expect.
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