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Also remember that if you quit your job voluntarily or got fired for misconduct, you might not be eligible for benefits at all. Washington ESD will investigate the reason for your job separation and make a determination.
Don't forget to keep track of all your job search activities in detail. They can audit your records at any time and if you can't prove you met the requirements, they can make you pay back benefits. I keep a spreadsheet with dates, company names, contact info, and what type of activity it was.
If you ever do get an overpayment notice, don't panic. Read it carefully, gather your documentation, and consider appealing if you think it's wrong. The appeal process exists for a reason.
My advice: screenshot everything, save all your weekly claim confirmations, and keep a simple spreadsheet of any work you do and income you report. Takes 2 minutes each week but gives you a complete record.
Just a heads up - even if your church was exempt, you might still qualify for other assistance programs while you're job hunting. Don't let this be the only thing you look into for help.
This has been a really informative thread. I had no idea churches could opt out of unemployment taxes. Learn something new every day I guess.
I'm going on week 6 with no payment and no explanation. My claim status just says 'under review' with no details. This is affecting my ability to pay for basic necessities. The lack of communication from Washington ESD is unacceptable.
Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to someone? I've seen several people mention it in this thread and it might be your best bet for getting answers.
For what it's worth, once the payments start coming, they're usually pretty reliable. The initial wait is brutal but after that it's mostly smooth sailing as long as you meet all the requirements.
Zara Ahmed
Just remember - if you run into any issues with your claim, don't wait around hoping it fixes itself. Get help early, whether that's calling Washington ESD directly or using something like Claimyr to get through to them. Problems tend to snowball if you ignore them.
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Zainab Ali
•Good advice. I'll make sure to stay on top of things and get help if I need it.
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Luca Conti
You got this! The process seems scary at first but thousands of people go through it every week. Just follow the rules, keep good records, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
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Zainab Ali
•Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more prepared now.
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