


Ask the community...
The whole good cause thing is such a catch-22. You're stuck in a horrible job that's destroying your mental health but you can't quit without risking your financial security. The system is broken.
Last update on the Claimyr thing - I actually used them again this week to check on my friend's claim status and they connected me right away. Sometimes having a real conversation with Washington ESD staff is the only way to get clarity on these complex good cause situations.
Washington ESD also considers your availability when you're working part-time. You still need to be available for full-time work and able to accept a job if offered. If your part-time schedule conflicts with that, it could be an issue.
Bottom line: report the income, keep looking for full-time work, and don't try to game the system. Washington ESD has gotten much better at catching people who don't follow the rules.
Bottom line: plan for 26 weeks maximum, hope for less because he finds work sooner. That's the realistic approach in 2025 with no extensions available.
One more tip - if his claim gets complicated or goes into adjudication for any reason, consider using that Claimyr service to get through to an agent quickly. Adjudication can eat up weeks of your benefit time if you can't resolve issues fast.
Yeah, definitely bookmark claimyr.com just in case. It's a lifesaver when you actually need to talk to someone at Washington ESD.
Washington ESD's website has a tax information page that explains all this, but like everything else on their site, it's buried and hard to find. Wish they made important info like this more accessible.
Final thought: Keep good records of all your unemployment payments and any taxes withheld. Don't rely solely on the 1099-G in case there are discrepancies. Screenshot your payment history or print it out regularly.
Connor Byrne
If you do end up needing to contact Washington ESD for any reason, I had good luck with that Claimyr service mentioned earlier. Way better than trying to call on your own and getting disconnected constantly.
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Yara Elias
•How quickly did they get you connected?
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Connor Byrne
•Maybe 15-20 minutes total? Way faster than the hours I wasted trying to call myself.
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QuantumQuasar
One thing to keep in mind is that if you're getting severance pay or vacation payout, that might affect when your benefits start. Washington ESD has rules about how those payments impact your claim timing.
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Andre Laurent
•I don't think I'll get any severance since my hours were just cut, but good to know for the future.
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Keisha Jackson
•Yeah severance can delay benefits depending on how much you get and how it's structured. Another thing they don't make clear upfront.
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