Washington Unemployment

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Can't reach Washington Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.

Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.

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
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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 get SSDI or state disability benefits?

My husband was recently approved for Social Security disability after fighting for it for two years. While we were waiting for the approval, he was getting unemployment benefits from Washington ESD. Now that his disability came through, I'm wondering if he can still collect unemployment or if he has to choose one or the other? The SSDI office said something about overpayments but I didn't really understand. Has anyone been through this situation before? We really need both sources of income right now with our medical bills piling up.

Update us on how it goes OP! I'm sure other people will end up in similar situations and your experience could help them.

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Will do! Thanks everyone for all the advice. Going to call Washington ESD first thing Monday morning.

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One last thought - if the overpayment amount is significant, you might want to consult with a benefits attorney. Some will do free consultations and might be able to help negotiate with Washington ESD.

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I hadn't thought of that option. Thanks for mentioning it!

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Before going the attorney route, I'd still try Claimyr first. Much less expensive and you might be able to resolve it directly with Washington ESD.

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Washington ESD unemployment pay amounts - how much should I expect?

I just got laid off from my warehouse job after 2 years and I'm trying to figure out how much unemployment I'll get from Washington ESD. I was making about $18/hour working full time. Does anyone know how they calculate the weekly benefit amount? I heard it's based on your highest earning quarter but I'm not sure how that works exactly.

Just filed my claim last week and still waiting to hear back about my benefit amount. How long does it usually take?

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Usually takes 2-3 weeks to process if there are no issues. You'll get a monetary determination letter with your benefit amount.

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Thanks, I'll keep watching for it then.

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The whole system is so confusing. I wish they made it easier to understand how much you'll get before you even apply.

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That's why the online calculator exists, but I agree the whole process could be more transparent.

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How long does it usually take to get approved for unemployment in Washington ESD?

I filed my unemployment claim with Washington ESD about 10 days ago and I'm getting anxious about when I'll hear back. My claim status just says 'under review' and I haven't received any correspondence asking for additional information. I left my job due to a layoff so it should be pretty straightforward. For those who have been through this process recently, how long did it take from filing to getting your first payment? I'm trying to plan my budget and figure out if I need to start looking into emergency assistance while I wait.

One thing to watch for - make sure your mailing address is correct in your profile. I had a friend whose determination letter got sent to an old address and that delayed everything by another week.

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Good reminder! I double-checked my address when I filed but I'll log in and verify it's still correct.

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Smart move. Small details like that can cause big headaches if they're wrong.

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Overall message for OP - 10 days in is still well within normal processing time. Try to be patient for another week or so before panicking. The system works, it's just slow.

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Glad we could help! Come back and update us when you get approved.

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Good luck with your claim! The waiting is the hardest part but it sounds like you did everything right.

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Can you claim unemployment if you were fired in Washington ESD?

I got terminated from my job last Friday and I'm wondering if I can still file for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD. My manager said it was due to performance issues but I feel like they never gave me proper training or clear expectations. I've been working there for 8 months and this came out of nowhere. Does being fired automatically disqualify you from getting UI benefits? I really need to know before I waste time filing a claim.

One more thing - when Washington ESD contacts you during the investigation, be completely honest about what happened. Don't try to make yourself look perfect or bash your former employer. Just tell the truth about the circumstances of your termination.

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Good advice. I was wondering how to handle that conversation when it comes.

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Just stick to facts and be professional. They're trained to separate misconduct from legitimate business decisions.

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I used Claimyr again this week to check on my adjudication status after being fired for performance issues. Much easier than trying to navigate the Washington ESD phone system. Got connected immediately and found out my case should be resolved within the next few days. Highly recommend for anyone needing quick answers.

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I keep seeing people mention this service. Might have to try it myself since I can never get through on the phone.

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It really works. Check out their demo video to see how simple it is.

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Is unemployment compensation taxable income for Washington ESD benefits?

I've been receiving unemployment benefits from Washington ESD for about 6 months now and just realized I should probably be thinking about taxes. Are these UI payments considered taxable income? Do I need to set aside money for taxes or does Washington ESD automatically withhold anything? I'm worried I'm going to get hit with a huge tax bill next year if I haven't been planning for this.

Thanks for posting this question OP, I had no idea about the tax implications either. Going to log in and set up withholding right now.

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Glad I'm not the only one who didn't realize this! At least we're figuring it out now instead of next April.

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Just to summarize for anyone else reading this: 1) UI benefits are federally taxable, 2) You can elect to have 10% withheld, 3) You'll get a 1099-G form in January, 4) Consider quarterly payments if you haven't been withholding.

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Perfect summary, thanks! This thread has been incredibly helpful.

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Bookmarking this thread, great info all around.

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