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I used TurboTax last year and it walked me through the unemployment tax stuff pretty well. It automatically calculated everything once I entered my 1099-G information. Might be worth considering if you're doing your own taxes.
Final thought - if you're still on unemployment, definitely set up that tax withholding ASAP. Even if it's just for a few more payments, every bit helps reduce what you'll owe next year.
Quick question - if I negotiate a higher severance package, does that just mean my unemployment benefits are delayed longer? Trying to figure out if it's worth pushing for more money.
Generally yes, higher severance means longer delay in unemployment benefits. But severance is usually guaranteed money while unemployment has eligibility requirements, so more severance is typically better even with the delay.
For anyone still confused about this stuff, I found Washington ESD's website has a section explaining how different types of payments affect unemployment. It's buried in their FAQ but has good examples of how they calculate the waiting periods.
The website is helpful but sometimes you really need to talk to someone for complex situations. That's where services like Claimyr come in handy.
One thing that helped me was calling my former employer's HR department to confirm they had reported my layoff correctly to ESD. Sometimes there are delays if the employer information doesn't match your application.
Remember that even after you're approved, it takes a few days for the money to actually show up in your account. Don't panic if you get approved on a Wednesday but don't see the deposit until the weekend.
If you end up needing to contact Washington ESD directly for specific data requests and can't get through their main lines, there's a service that helps with that. I used Claimyr recently when I needed to speak to someone about my account and it worked great. They have info at claimyr.com and you can see how it works in their demo video.
Your research sounds really interesting! Will you be publishing the results anywhere? I'd love to see how Washington compared to other states during that transition period.
Ethan Wilson
I've been dealing with reduced hours for months now and the partial unemployment benefits have been a lifesaver. Don't hesitate to apply - you've earned these benefits through your previous work and tax contributions.
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Natasha Volkova
•Thank you for the encouragement. I was feeling guilty about applying while still technically employed.
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Ethan Wilson
•No guilt needed! This is exactly what the system is designed for - helping workers when their income gets reduced through no fault of their own.
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Yuki Tanaka
File your claim ASAP. In Washington, benefits are calculated from the week you file, not from when your hours were reduced. The sooner you apply, the sooner you can start receiving payments.
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Natasha Volkova
•Good point. I'll start the application tonight. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice!
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Carmen Diaz
•Good luck! The process can be confusing at first but it gets easier once you understand how it works.
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