


Ask the community...
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.
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.
One thing to keep in mind is that even if you get approved, there might be a waiting period before benefits start. I think it's usually one week in Washington, but someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Good luck with your application! I know it seems overwhelming but it's really not that complicated once you get started. The hardest part is usually dealing with Washington ESD if you need to talk to someone, but there are ways around that now like the Claimyr service people have mentioned.
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.
This thread is really helpful! I was wondering about the same thing for my mortgage refinance paperwork. Sounds like unearned income is definitely the way to go.
Just to add one more confirmation - my accountant told me unemployment is unearned income for tax purposes and that's how it should be reported on other forms too. Seems like everyone's on the same page about this.
Amara Torres
Watch out for scam websites that look like the official Washington ESD site. Always make sure you're on esd.wa.gov - there are fake sites that try to steal your info.
0 coins
Layla Mendes
•Good warning! I'll double-check the URL before entering any personal information.
0 coins
Lucas Notre-Dame
One last tip - after you file, you should get an email confirmation and can check your claim status online. Don't keep calling if everything looks normal. The automated system updates regularly and is usually more current than what phone agents can see.
0 coins
Layla Mendes
•Thank you everyone! This has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident about starting the process now.
0 coins