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Nia Harris

What counts as unemployment for Washington ESD benefits - confused about eligibility

I'm really confused about what actually qualifies as unemployment for Washington ESD benefits. I got laid off from my restaurant job 2 weeks ago but I'm still getting some shifts at a catering company maybe once a week. Does that disqualify me completely? Also what about if I do some freelance graphic design work here and there - like maybe $200-300 some weeks? I keep reading different things online about partial unemployment vs regular unemployment and I have no idea what applies to my situation. Can someone explain what Washington ESD actually considers unemployment?

Thanks everyone, this has been really helpful. I think I'll file the claim tomorrow and just be super careful about reporting everything accurately.

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Good choice! And remember, if you have specific questions about your claim, it's worth getting through to speak with an agent rather than guessing.

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Diego Vargas

Can you file for unemployment if you are self employed - Washington ESD eligibility?

I've been running my own small consulting business for the past 2 years but work has completely dried up. I haven't had any clients in 6 weeks and I'm wondering if I can file for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD. I know self-employed people usually don't qualify but I heard there might be some exceptions? Has anyone been in this situation before? I'm really struggling to pay my bills and need to know if I have any options through the unemployment system.

OP, did you end up checking your wage history? I'm curious what you found out about your eligibility.

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I'm still trying to log into my SecureAccess Washington account to check my wage history. The website keeps timing out on me.

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This is another reason why Claimyr is so helpful - instead of struggling with the website, you can just talk to an agent who can pull up your information right away.

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Hope this thread helped answer your question! It's a complicated topic but at least now you know what to look for. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

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Thanks everyone! This has been really helpful. I'm going to check my wage history and probably try to talk to someone at Washington ESD to get a definitive answer about my situation.

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Smart approach. Having your wage information ready when you talk to them will make the conversation much more productive.

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Ella rollingthunder87

What if I already paid taxes on unemployment - Washington ESD refund question

I received unemployment benefits last year and had taxes withheld from my weekly payments through Washington ESD. When I filed my 2024 tax return, I ended up owing additional taxes on the unemployment income even though I thought I had already paid enough. Now I'm confused about whether I can get a refund or adjustment. Has anyone dealt with this situation before? I'm not sure if I should contact Washington ESD or the IRS about this.

If you need to talk to Washington ESD about tax-related issues with your unemployment benefits, I had good luck using Claimyr to get through. Much faster than trying to call on your own, especially during tax season when everyone's calling with questions.

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I might have to try that. I still have some questions about my 1099-G form that I haven't been able to get answered.

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It's worth it if you need specific answers about your account. They connect you directly with Washington ESD agents who can look up your records.

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Bottom line: unemployment withholding is just an estimate. Whether you get a refund or owe more depends on your total tax situation for the year. Washington ESD can't predict that, so they just offer a standard withholding option.

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Thanks everyone for explaining this. I understand now that I'll just need to pay the additional amount I owe and maybe plan better for next time.

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You're welcome! It's a common confusion. Consider speaking with a tax professional if you expect to be on unemployment again - they can help you plan the withholding better.

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Sofia Peña

How to certify for unemployment benefits - Washington ESD weekly claim process?

I just got approved for unemployment after waiting 3 weeks for adjudication to finish. Now Washington ESD is telling me I need to 'certify' every week but I'm totally lost on what this actually means. The letter says I have to file my weekly claim by Sunday but doesn't explain HOW to do it. Do I use the same website where I applied originally? What questions do they ask? I'm scared of messing something up and losing my benefits. Can someone walk me through the certification process step by step?

The whole certification process stressed me out at first too, but honestly after the first couple weeks it becomes routine. Just answer the questions honestly, keep good job search records, and file on time every week. You'll be fine!

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Thanks everyone! This has been super helpful. I feel much more confident about filing my first weekly claim now.

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We've all been there! The Washington ESD system can be intimidating but once you get the hang of it, it's not bad at all.

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One last thing - if you're on standby status with your employer, the weekly certification questions are slightly different. You'll need to report your standby status and any callback expectations each week.

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I'm not on standby but good to know for the future. How is standby different from regular unemployment?

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Standby means you expect to return to your job within a specific timeframe, usually less than 10 weeks. Different rules apply for job search requirements and availability.

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Isabella Santos

How long does it take to get approved for unemployment benefits in Washington?

I just submitted my initial unemployment claim through the Washington ESD website last Thursday and I'm wondering what I should expect for timing. My previous job ended due to company downsizing and I think I have a pretty straightforward case - no misconduct issues or anything complicated. I've been checking my account every day but it still just shows 'claim processing' status. How long does it typically take Washington ESD to approve a regular unemployment claim? I'm starting to get anxious about when I might see my first payment.

Since you mentioned this is your first time filing, just remember that even after approval you need to keep looking for work and documenting your job search activities. The weekly claims will ask about this so be prepared.

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Yeah I've been applying to jobs already. How many job contacts do I need to report each week?

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I believe it's 3 job search activities per week for most people, but check the requirements in your weekly claim - it will tell you exactly what you need to do.

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Mei Lin

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Best case scenario you'll be approved within 2 weeks and see your first payment shortly after. Worst case it takes a month if there are complications. Most people fall somewhere in between. Your situation sounds pretty clean so I'd lean toward the faster end.

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That's reassuring. Thanks for putting it in perspective!

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