Washington Unemployment
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Can I file for ESD unemployment while receiving 5 weeks of severance pay?
My company just downsized and I was let go yesterday. They're giving me 5 weeks of severance pay (about $4,200 total). I'm worried about finding a new job quickly in this market and want to get unemployment lined up ASAP. Can I file for unemployment now while receiving severance, or do I have to wait until the severance period ends? Does severance count as wages? I've never had to file before and don't want to mess anything up or get accused of fraud. Thanks for any help!
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Claim stuck in ESD limbo: 'Waiting on information' after 10 weeks of adjudication
I'm at my wit's end with this ESD nightmare. Been filing my weekly claims religiously for almost 10 weeks now. First my claim was stuck in adjudication forever, and now suddenly it's changed to 'waiting on information' with zero explanation what that even means! My landlord is breathing down my neck because I'm 2 months behind on rent. I've tried calling literally EVERY hour the phone lines are open - early morning, mid-day, right before closing - and it's always the same automated message and disconnect. I'm about to be homeless over this! Has anyone gone from 'adjudication' to 'waiting on information' status? What does this change even mean? Do I need to upload something I'm not seeing? Any advice before I completely lose it would be SO appreciated.
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Just wanted to follow up - after you visit WorkSource, make sure to get the name of the person who assists you and request that they document your visit in your claim notes. This creates a paper trail showing your efforts to resolve the issue. Additionally, if it's been 10 weeks, you might qualify for a hardship expedition based on your housing situation. Specifically mention to both your state representative and WorkSource that you're facing potential eviction. This can sometimes fast-track your claim review.
Thank you so much for this advice! I didn't know about the hardship expedition option. I'll definitely mention the eviction risk when I go to WorkSource tomorrow and in my email to my representative today.
good luck tomorrow at WorkSource! just a heads up you might want to get there when they open, sometimes theres a wait and they can only help a certain number of people each day. i had to wait like 2 hours but it was worth it
Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely get there right when they open. At this point I'd wait all day if it means getting this resolved.
ESD overpayment in 2023 repaid in 2024 - how to report this on taxes?
I'm completely stuck on how to handle this tax situation with my unemployment benefits. I received about $8,200 in ESD benefits during the first half of 2023, but then found out I was disqualified for $3,450 of that amount because of an employer appeal. I ended up repaying that money to ESD in January 2024, but my 1099-G from Washington still shows the full $8,200 for 2023. I'm using FreeTaxUSA Deluxe this year since my situation is more complicated than normal. Has anyone dealt with this repayment situation before? Do I report the full amount on my 2023 taxes even though I paid some back in 2024? And has anyone used FreeTaxUSA's customer support for complicated unemployment questions like this? Wondering if they're actually helpful or if I need to bite the bullet and pay for an accountant.
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This is actually covered in IRS Publication 525 under "Repayments." I think its called the "claim of right doctrine" or something like that. Basiaclly since you received it in 2023 and thought it was yours at the time, you have to report it on your 2023 taxes. Then when you repay in 2024, you get either the deduction or credit in 2024. The credit is definitely better if your repayment is over $3000, which yours is. I use TurboTax, not FreeTaxUSA, but I'm pretty sure any tax software can handle this for your 2024 taxes. I just wouldn't trust their customer support reps to know all the details on stuff like this.
Thank you for mentioning the specific IRS publication! I'll look that up. The "claim of right doctrine" gives me something specific to research. Maybe I'll try FreeTaxUSA for this year's taxes since I just need to report the full amount on my 1099-G, then consider switching to something else or using a CPA next year for the repayment credit part.
To summarize what others have said, but with a bit more tax code specificity: 1. For 2023: Report the full amount from your 1099-G ($8,200) 2. For 2024: You'll have two options since your repayment was over $3,000: a. Take an itemized deduction on Schedule A (less favorable) b. Take a tax credit under IRC Section 1341 for the tax you paid on that income in 2023 (more favorable) FreeTaxUSA should handle the basic reporting for 2023 just fine. For 2024, you might need more help with the Section 1341 credit. I'd recommend saving about $200-300 for professional tax help next year unless you're very comfortable with tax calculations.
Thank you for breaking it down so clearly with the specific tax code reference! This makes me feel much better about what to do. I'll use FreeTaxUSA for 2023 since that part is straightforward, and then plan ahead for getting professional help with my 2024 return when I'll need to deal with the Section 1341 credit.
Should I keep filing weekly claims while in ESD adjudication? Confused about next steps
I've been on unemployment for almost a month now, and just noticed my claim says 'adjudication in progress.' I have NO idea what this means or what I supposedly did wrong! The system is still prompting me to file weekly claims though. Should I keep filing them even though I'm in adjudication? Will this mess up my case somehow? And how do I find out what the adjudication is actually for? There's nothing in my ESD messages explaining why I'm being investigated. Really stressed about this since my savings are almost gone and rent is due next week...
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That's great you found out what the issue is! Now you can properly address it. Make sure to submit any documentation they requested through your eServices account under the "Upload a Document" section. Label it clearly like "Proof of layoff for adjudication" so it gets routed correctly. Most adjudications get resolved within 3-4 weeks if you provide all the requested information promptly.
dont get ur hopes up tho... i sent in all my docs right away and still took them 5 weeks. ESD is sooooo slow
hey @OP did u get ur benefits yet?? mine took FOREVER but eventually came thru
Not yet, but the adjudicator called me today for my side of the story! I explained everything and sent pay stubs showing I was full-time until the layoff. She said I should have a decision within 7-10 days. Still filing my weekly claims in the meantime. Thanks for checking in!
ESD appeal win - how long until I get my 6 weeks of back benefits?
Just won my appeal hearing against my former employer yesterday! They tried claiming I voluntarily quit when they actually laid me off due to 'business restructuring' (aka not enough work). The Unemployment Law Project represented me (seriously amazing service) and the judge ruled in my favor. I qualified for the maximum benefit amount ($925/week) and I'm owed back pay for 6 weeks while this mess was sorted out. Does anyone know how long it typically takes ESD to process the payments after an appeal decision? My rent is due next week and I've been scraping by on credit cards since this nightmare began. Will the back pay come as one lump sum or weekly installments? The judge didn't mention a timeframe and my ULP rep isn't available until Monday.
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I hate to be that person but double check everything ESD does. When I won my appeal they still messed up my payments. They only paid 4 of the 7 weeks I was owed. Had to call multiple times to get it fixed. Screenshot everything and keep detailed notes of every conversation with them!!!
Good advice - I'll definitely keep track of everything. The agent I spoke with gave me 6 weeks of backfiling to do (which matches what I calculated). I'm taking screenshots of each submission confirmation. Fingers crossed they get it right the first time!
Update us when you get paid! I'm curious if processing times have improved since my experience last year. Also congrats on working with ULP - they're amazing! They helped my brother with his appeal too.
Will do! And yes, ULP was incredible. My lawyer knew exactly how to counter every argument my employer made. She had statistics showing the business hadn't actually lost revenue when they claimed they had. Game-changer!
Lukas Fitzgerald
Thanks everyone for the super helpful responses! I'm going to file my initial claim tomorrow and make sure I report the severance correctly. I'll also keep doing the weekly claims even though I probably won't receive anything during the severance period. I appreciate all the advice!
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Marcelle Drum
good luck! the ESD system is confusing but stick with it
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Collins Angel
One last tip - make sure you start fulfilling your job search requirements right away, even during the severance period. You need 3 job search activities each week, and you have to document them. ESD can audit your job search log at any time. This is something many people miss and can cause problems with your claim later.
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Lukas Fitzgerald
AuthorOh that's really good to know! Do activities like updating my resume or setting up job alerts count toward the 3 weekly activities?
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Collins Angel
Updating your resume counts as ONE activity for ONE week only. Job alerts don't count by themselves. The most straightforward activities are job applications, attending job fairs, and having job interviews. There's a full list of acceptable activities on the ESD website under the job search requirements section.
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