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For what it's worth, I tried calling Washington ESD about tax questions last month and actually got through using that Claimyr thing. Took about 15 minutes instead of the usual hours of busy signals. The agent was really helpful explaining how the withholding works.
Bottom line - if you had taxes withheld from your unemployment benefits, you'll probably get some of it back as a refund. If you didn't have taxes withheld, you'll probably owe some money when you file. Either way, you need to report all your UI benefits on your tax return.
Good luck with your claim! I went through this exact situation and got approved after a 3-week adjudication. The key is being honest about what happened and providing any documentation you have.
Remember to register with WorkSource too if you haven't already. It's required for unemployment benefits in Washington and has some decent job search resources.
good luck! the first time is always the hardest but once you get through it you'll know what to expect if you ever need benefits again
Aaliyah Jackson
One more thing - if you have a lawyer or legal aid helping with your appeal, the process sometimes moves a bit faster. Not always, but Washington ESD seems to respond quicker to attorney correspondence.
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Harmony Love
•Is it worth getting a lawyer for an unemployment appeal? Seems like it might be expensive.
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Aaliyah Jackson
•Depends on how much money is at stake and how complex your case is. Legal aid societies sometimes help with unemployment appeals for free if you qualify income-wise.
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KylieRose
Just remember that even if the appeal takes a long time, if you win you'll get paid for all those weeks you were waiting. Keep track of everything and stay patient.
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Harmony Love
•That's what I'm hoping for. The backpay would really help at this point.
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KylieRose
•Exactly. And make sure you're documenting any hardships the delay is causing - sometimes that information can be relevant to your case.
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