Update us on how this turns out! I'm sure there are other people who will face similar situations and your experience could help them.

I went through something similar last year and it was really stressful, but it ended up being resolved. A few things that helped me: 1) Don't panic - these notices look scarier than they actually are, 2) Gather ALL your documentation (pay stubs, termination letter, any correspondence with your employer), 3) Write down a timeline of events from when you became unemployed to now, and 4) Be prepared to explain every detail clearly when you call. In my case, it was an error in how my employer coded my separation reason. Once we got that straightened out, the nullification was reversed and I even got back pay for the benefits that were stopped. The key is responding quickly and being thorough with your documentation. You've got this!

IMPORTANT: Make absolutely sure your handwritten logs are LEGIBLE! I got disqualified for a week of benefits because ESD couldn't read my chicken scratch on one entry. They're super strict about having complete information for each job search activity. I had to appeal and it was a whole ordeal that took weeks to resolve.

I've been using handwritten logs for about 6 months now and haven't had any issues! One tip that's helped me a lot is to use a black pen (not blue) when filling out the forms - it scans and photographs much better if you ever need to submit digital copies. Also, I keep mine in a dedicated folder and number each page in case they get mixed up. The ESD website actually has a downloadable PDF version of their job search log that's designed to be printed and filled out by hand, so you're definitely good to go with that approach!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in the exact same situation and was worried about the same thing. Now I know I don't need to worry about FICA taxes on my unemployment benefits.

This thread has been a lifesaver! I was just about to file my taxes and was completely confused about the FICA situation with my unemployment benefits. I've been unemployed for most of 2024 after my retail job got cut, and I received around $12,000 in benefits from Washington ESD. My tax software kept asking about FICA and I had no idea what to tell it. Reading through all these responses has made it crystal clear - unemployment benefits are subject to regular federal income tax but NOT FICA taxes. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain this so thoroughly, especially the tax preparer who confirmed it. Now I can finish my taxes with confidence!

Try calling right at 8am but if that doesn't work, honestly just use a service like Claimyr. I wasted weeks trying to call myself when I could have just had them do it for me from the start.

I've been dealing with the exact same issue! Washington ESD's phone lines open at 8:00 AM Monday through Friday, but getting through is nearly impossible. I've had some luck calling right at 7:59 AM and hitting redial constantly until I break through the busy signals around 8:02-8:05 AM. Once you're in the queue, expect to wait 1-3 hours on hold, but at least you're making progress. Also avoid Mondays if possible - the call volume is absolutely insane after the weekend. Tuesday through Thursday around 10:30 AM or during lunch hour (12-1 PM) seem to have slightly better odds. Make sure you have all your documents ready - claim number, SSN, employment dates, etc. - because the agents work quickly and might disconnect if you're not prepared.

Just to add clarity on the waiting week: it applies to your first eligible week after filing. If your claim is in adjudication for ID verification, your waiting week hasn't technically started yet because you're not considered eligible until the ID verification is complete. Once your identity is verified, the first payable week will be your waiting week (no payment), then you'll receive benefits for subsequent weeks if you continue to qualify. This is why it's crucial to keep filing weekly claims during adjudication - the system will retroactively assign your waiting week and pay for eligible weeks once identity verification is complete.

Hey Hugh, I'm going through something similar right now! Filed 2 weeks ago and still stuck in ID verification limbo. One thing that helped me was creating a timeline of when I submitted everything - screenshot your document upload confirmations if you have them. Also, regarding the financial hardship fast-track that Eve mentioned - I called yesterday and they said you need to provide documentation like an eviction notice or utility shutoff warning to qualify for expedited processing. Might be worth gathering those docs if you have them since rent is due soon. Hang in there - this process is brutal but everyone here seems to eventually get through it!