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One thing I'd add - keep copies of everything. Medical clearance, disability end date, layoff notice, everything. Washington ESD loves documentation.
Last comment from me - if anyone else is in this situation, don't wait too long to file your claim. The sooner you get the process started, the sooner you'll get your benefits.
The appeals process is there if you get denied or disagree with their decision. You have 30 days to appeal most decisions. Don't give up if your initial claim gets denied - sometimes it's just missing information or a misunderstanding about your work separation.
Bottom line - filing for unemployment isn't shameful or wrong if you lost your job through no fault of your own. You paid into the system through your wages, so you've earned these benefits. Just follow the rules and keep good records.
One last thing - make sure you understand the difference between FUTA taxable wages and regular wages for other payroll taxes. Some things that are subject to federal income tax withholding might not be subject to FUTA.
Thanks everyone for the help! This thread has been really informative. I feel much more confident about handling FUTA deposits now. And I'm definitely going to check out that Claimyr service for when I need to call government agencies - seems like it could save a lot of time and frustration.
This whole thread is making me realize I should have filed for unemployment when I got laid off last month. I thought the amount would be too small to bother with, but $300+ per week would have made a huge difference.
The job market for restaurant workers is actually pretty good right now if you're willing to be flexible about location and hours. A lot of places are still short-staffed from the pandemic aftermath.
GalaxyGlider
Thanks for asking this question OP. I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been really helpful.
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Zara Mirza
•Glad it helped someone else too. At least we're not alone in this.
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Ethan Clark
•Yeah, it's good to know other people are dealing with the same stuff.
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NebulaNinja
Final thought - if you do end up needing to file a new claim, make sure you have all your employer information ready including any part-time work you did during your benefit year. The sooner you get that process started, the better.
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Zara Mirza
•Thanks for all the helpful advice. I feel a lot more prepared to handle this now.
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NebulaNinja
•You're welcome. Good luck with whatever path you end up taking!
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