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Whatever you do, don't quit before they fire you thinking it'll look better. If you quit voluntarily, you won't qualify for unemployment unless you can prove it was for good cause like unsafe working conditions or significant changes to your job duties.
Yeah, I definitely won't quit. Even though this situation is stressful, I need to protect my right to unemployment benefits.
Smart thinking. I made the mistake of quitting once and regretted it immediately when I realized I wouldn't get benefits.
If you do get fired and Washington ESD puts your claim into adjudication to investigate, don't panic. Most people in your situation end up getting approved. The process just takes time while they review everything.
Keep us posted on how things go! This kind of workplace harassment is way too common.
And remember, if you need to reach Washington ESD about your claim status and can't get through, Claimyr at claimyr.com really does work. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person to get answers.
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Just want to confirm what others have said - unemployment benefits are definitely taxable income. I learned this in accounting class years ago but forgot until I had to file taxes after being unemployed. The 1099-G form makes it clear how much you received and you have to report it as income.
Do you know if there are any deductions or credits that can help offset the tax burden from unemployment income?
Standard deductions apply, and if you had job search expenses or training costs while unemployed, some of those might be deductible. Best to talk to a tax pro though.
This thread has been super helpful! I had no idea about the tax implications when I started collecting. Going to log into my Washington ESD account right now and set up tax withholding. Better late than never!
Same here! This discussion saved me from a huge surprise at tax time. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences.
Glad this helped people! It's crazy that Washington ESD doesn't make the tax implications clearer when you first apply for benefits.
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Last tip - keep really good records of everything. Pay stubs, termination letter, any communication with your employer. Washington ESD might ask for documentation during the claims process.
Good advice. I'm pretty good about keeping financial records anyway but I'll make sure to save everything related to employment.
Exactly. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it, especially when dealing with government agencies.
This has been really helpful everyone. Sounds like with my salary I'm probably looking at somewhere in the $400-600 range per week, which would definitely help bridge the gap while job hunting. Thanks for all the insights!
That sounds about right for your income level. Just remember to file immediately if you do get laid off, and keep track of your job search activities.
Good luck! Hopefully you won't need to use unemployment at all, but it's smart to know what to expect just in case.
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wait so the original poster qualified with only 4 months of work? thats actually pretty encouraging for people in similar situations
Yes, because they earned enough in two different quarters to meet Washington ESD's requirements. It's not about how long you worked, it's about meeting the earnings thresholds.
good to know, ill remember this if i ever need to file
CaptainAwesome
Based on what you described, you should definitely qualify. Layoff from most recent job + working 8 months after your quit = you meet the basic requirements. Just apply online and let Washington ESD make the official determination. Don't let people scare you out of applying when you have a legitimate claim.
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Tyrone Hill
•Thanks everyone for all the advice! I'm going to apply tonight and see what happens. Fingers crossed!
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Yuki Tanaka
•Good luck! Just remember to file your weekly claims even while your initial claim is being processed. You can't get paid for weeks you don't file for.
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Esmeralda Gómez
One more tip - make sure you have your Social Security card and ID ready when you apply. Washington ESD uses identity verification now and you might need to upload documents. Also have your employer information handy including addresses and phone numbers for the past 18 months.
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Esmeralda Gómez
•They get most wage info from state records but having your own records helps if there are any discrepancies. Pay stubs, W-2s, that sort of thing.
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Klaus Schmidt
•Yeah definitely keep copies of everything. Washington ESD loves to ask for additional documentation at random times during your claim.
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