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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.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
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!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
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Don't forget that Washington ESD might send you a questionnaire or ask for verification of your employment later. Keep all your paperwork organized in case they need proof of when you started working.
What kind of proof do they usually want?
Usually things like your job offer letter, first pay stub, or a letter from your employer confirming your start date and hours.
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One thing people don't always think about is how business expenses work with unemployment. You can deduct legitimate business expenses from your reported income, which might help reduce the impact on your benefits.
Interesting! So if I spend money on business registration, supplies, etc., that reduces the 'profit' I have to report?
Yes, but you need to keep detailed records and receipts. ESD will want documentation if they audit your claim.
Bottom line: it's definitely possible to start a business while collecting unemployment in Washington, but you need to do it right. Get proper guidance, keep detailed records, report everything honestly, and consider applying for the SEA program if you qualify. Don't let fear stop you from pursuing your business idea, just be smart about it.
Good luck with your business! Washington needs more entrepreneurs.
Keep us updated on how it goes! This thread has been really informative.
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One more thing - if you're eligible for benefits, Washington ESD will send you a debit card for payments. Don't throw it away thinking it's junk mail! Happened to my neighbor and it was a hassle to get a replacement.
Good to know! I'll watch for that. How long after approval does the card usually arrive?
Mine came about a week after my claim was approved. It's in a plain white envelope so it's easy to miss.
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If you're worried about reaching the 26-week limit, start thinking about retraining or certification programs early. Some are covered by Washington ESD and can extend your benefits while you're in approved training.
How do you find out which training programs are approved?
WorkSourceWA has a list of approved programs, and you can also ask your local office. You usually need approval before starting the program to ensure your benefits continue.
Bottom line - you get up to 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits in Washington if you qualify. Extensions are possible during high unemployment periods but aren't available right now. Focus on your job search requirements and keep good records of everything.
Thanks everyone for all the detailed info. This has been really helpful in understanding what I'm dealing with.
Good luck with your claim! The system can be frustrating but most people get through it eventually.
Fatima Al-Qasimi
Just to summarize for anyone still confused: work history + qualifying separation + able/available to work + actively job searching = eligible for unemployment benefits in Washington. The wage thresholds aren't super high if you worked steadily.
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Dylan Cooper
•That's a helpful summary. The 'able and available' part - does that mean you can't travel while on unemployment?
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•You can travel but you have to report it and still be available for work. Extended travel might affect your benefits.
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Sofia Ramirez
Don't wait too long to file if you think you qualify. There's usually a waiting week and benefits don't pay retroactively before your application date.
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Diego Chavez
•Good point! I was planning to wait until next week but I'll file this weekend instead.
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Sofia Ramirez
•Smart move. Even if you're not 100% sure about eligibility, it's better to apply and find out than miss out on potential benefits.
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