Washington Unemployment
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Can't reach Washington Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
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Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the ESD
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the ESD drops your call
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Can you get Washington ESD unemployment if you are on social security benefits?
I'm 63 years old and currently receiving social security retirement benefits. I was working part-time at a retail job for the past two years to supplement my income, but got laid off last month due to store closure. My question is - can I still file for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD while collecting social security? I've heard conflicting information and don't want to mess anything up with either program. Has anyone been in this situation before?
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Does bankruptcy clear Washington ESD unemployment debt or overpayment?
I'm in a really tough spot and considering bankruptcy. I owe Washington ESD about $4,800 from an overpayment determination last year - they said I didn't report some part-time work correctly during my UI claim. My financial situation has gotten much worse since then and I can barely afford rent. Does anyone know if bankruptcy will discharge this unemployment debt to Washington ESD? I've heard conflicting info about whether government debts get wiped out in bankruptcy.
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UPDATE: Just wanted to thank everyone for the advice. I ended up using Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD and they were actually really helpful. Set up a $40/month payment plan and they waived the interest. Still not dischargeable in bankruptcy but at least it's manageable now.
Sorry, no - I'm someone else who found this thread while searching for the same info. Figured I'd share my experience since it might help others.
Glad to hear Claimyr worked out for you! That's exactly the kind of result OP needs - actually getting through to discuss options.
Final thought - even though unemployment overpayments usually survive bankruptcy, Chapter 13 bankruptcy might still help you by consolidating all debts into one manageable payment plan. Worth discussing with an attorney.
I'll definitely look into that. At this point I need to explore every option.
Good luck with whatever you decide. The important thing is taking action rather than ignoring the debt and hoping it goes away.
How soon after being fired can you apply for Washington ESD unemployment benefits?
Got terminated yesterday for attendance issues (missed too many days due to childcare problems). My supervisor said it was job abandonment but I never quit, just had trouble getting to work consistently. Can I file for unemployment right away or do I need to wait? I'm worried Washington ESD will deny my claim since I was fired for cause. Has anyone been in a similar situation? I really need these benefits to cover rent while I look for something new.
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The most important thing is filing as soon as possible after termination. Your benefit year starts from when you file, not when you were fired, so any delay just costs you money.
Definitely filing tonight then. Thanks everyone for all the advice and sharing your experiences!
Good luck with everything! Remember that even if the process is frustrating, you have rights as a worker and shouldn't be afraid to advocate for yourself.
Thank you so much. This thread has been incredibly helpful and made me feel less alone in this situation.
That's what these forums are for! Keep us updated on how your claim goes.
Why can't unemployment be 0 - Washington ESD economics question
I've been thinking about this since I started my UI claim last month. If the government really wanted to solve unemployment, why can't they just make it 0%? Like, why is there always some percentage of people without jobs even when the economy is supposedly doing well? I'm not an economics expert but it seems like if Washington ESD and other agencies are processing so many claims, there must be a systemic reason unemployment can't just disappear entirely. Is it because some unemployment is actually necessary for the economy to function? This might sound naive but I'm genuinely curious while I navigate this whole Washington ESD system.
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Age discrimination is real too. Older workers often have a harder time finding new jobs even when they're qualified. Until that changes, you'll always have some long-term unemployed people regardless of how many jobs are available.
Have you tried reaching out to Washington ESD about their reemployment services? Sometimes they have programs specifically for older workers.
Good luck getting through to them to ask about it. I've been trying for weeks. Might try that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier.
Bottom line is that 0% unemployment would require perfect information, perfect mobility, perfect skills matching, and perfect timing - none of which exist in the real world. The goal should be minimizing unnecessary unemployment while accepting that some level is inevitable in a dynamic economy.
Thanks everyone for all the explanations. This makes way more sense now. I guess the focus should be on making the unemployment system work better for people who need it.
Exactly. And making sure Washington ESD actually serves unemployed people efficiently instead of creating more barriers.
Can you get unemployment if you get fired in Washington state?
Got terminated from my retail job last week and wondering if I can still file for Washington ESD unemployment benefits? My manager said I was let go for 'performance issues' but I feel like it was unfair. I've heard mixed things about whether you can get UI benefits if you're fired vs if you quit. Does anyone know how Washington ESD handles this? Really need to know if it's worth applying or if I'll just get denied.
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I'm definitely going to file and see what happens. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and advice!
Good luck! Remember to file your weekly claims even during adjudication so you don't miss out on any benefits you're entitled to.
Tony Brooks
Final update from OP: My claim was approved! Got my first payment this week with no issues. Thanks everyone for the encouragement and advice. For anyone else in this situation, don't let age or social security stop you from filing if you're eligible.
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Adrian Hughes
Congratulations! Thanks for updating us on the outcome.
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Ella rollingthunder87
This gives me hope for my own situation. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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Yara Campbell
I had to use that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Really helped me get through to someone who could explain what was holding things up. Wish I had known about it sooner.
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Isaac Wright
How much does that service cost? I might need something like that for my claim issues.
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Yara Campbell
It's worth it for the time and frustration it saves. Check out their website for details.
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