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Just to close the loop on this discussion - I went ahead and set up 10% federal tax withholding on my remaining unemployment payments. Also found the tax information section on the Washington ESD website that someone mentioned. Really comprehensive info there. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice!
Great to hear you got it sorted out! 10% should be a good amount for most people.
Glad this thread was helpful. These tax questions come up a lot so hopefully others will find this useful too.
This is such an important topic that many people don't think about until it's too late! I made a similar mistake when I first collected unemployment - didn't realize the benefits were taxable and ended up with a surprise tax bill. One thing I'd add is that you might also want to consider making quarterly estimated tax payments if you think you'll owe a significant amount. The IRS has penalties for underpayment if you don't pay enough throughout the year. You can use Form 1040ES to calculate and make these payments. Also, keep detailed records of all your unemployment payments and any taxes withheld - it makes filing much easier when tax season comes around.
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Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I'm going to try the online payment option first, and if that doesn't work I'll use that Claimyr service to call and set up a payment plan. Really appreciate all the tips about documentation too.
Good luck! The most important thing is to take action before the deadlines. You've got this!
Let us know how it goes! Your experience might help someone else in the same situation.
One thing I'd add is to make sure you understand exactly what period the overpayment covers before you pay. I had a similar situation and discovered they had miscalculated the dates - saved me about $400 when I pointed it out. Also, if you do end up owing the full amount, ask about hardship options. Washington ESD sometimes has more flexibility than they initially let on, especially if you can show financial hardship documentation.
That's really valuable advice about double-checking the calculation! I didn't even think to verify their math. Did you just call them to point out the error or did you have to submit something in writing? And what kind of documentation do they typically want for hardship cases?
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One more thing to consider - make sure your new employer knows you're currently on unemployment. Some companies want to coordinate start dates to help employees transition smoothly off benefits.
I did mention it during the interview process and they were understanding about the situation. They actually said the 3-week gap was good for both of us to prepare.
That's a good employer! Shows they care about their employees' financial well-being during the transition.
I went through this exact same situation a few months ago with Washington ESD. You're absolutely fine to continue claiming during the gap period - just be completely transparent on your weekly claims about accepting the offer and your availability status. I documented everything (offer letter, start date confirmation emails) and had zero issues. The key thing Washington ESD cares about is honesty, not penalizing people for normal employment transitions. Congrats on the job offer and don't stress about it!
This is so reassuring to hear from someone who actually went through it! I was getting a bit anxious reading some of the conflicting advice in this thread. The documentation tip is really smart - I'll make sure to keep copies of everything. Thanks for sharing your experience and the congratulations!
Thanks for sharing your experience! It's really helpful to hear from someone who actually went through this process recently. I'm definitely going to follow your advice about documenting everything - better to be over-prepared than caught off guard later. Did Washington ESD ask you any specific questions about the gap period during your claims, or was it pretty straightforward as long as you were honest about everything?
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Just an update for anyone finding this thread later - I just checked my portal and my PFL claim was approved! Took exactly 24 days from submission to approval. The status changed from 'pending decision' to 'approved' with no email notification, so definitely check your portal regularly!
Wait, are you me? I'm the original poster and I haven't been approved yet... did you mean to post this somewhere else? Or are you saying you had a similar timeline recently?
Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry! I meant to post this on a different thread where I had commented about my own PFL claim. But hey, if mine took 24 days and was just approved, hopefully yours will be soon too! Sorry for the confusion.
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Applied for PFL about 2.5 weeks ago and still stuck on "decision pending." It's so nerve-wracking when you're counting on that income. Reading through all these responses is actually really helpful - sounds like 3-4 weeks is pretty normal even though it feels like forever. I didn't get my ReliaCard yet so maybe that's still coming. Thanks for posting this question, I was starting to think something was wrong with my application!
I'm so glad this thread helped you too! It's definitely reassuring to know we're not alone in this waiting game. The ReliaCard thing seems to vary - some people get it before approval, others after. I'm trying to stay patient but it's hard when bills are piling up. Hopefully we both hear something soon! Keep me posted on how yours goes.
Katherine Harris
Based on your additional details, I strongly recommend requesting an appeal extension based on financial hardship. Even though you missed the original deadline, ESD can sometimes grant extensions in cases of significant hardship, which being a new single mom certainly qualifies as. Call and specifically ask for a "late appeal request based on financial hardship" and explain your situation as a single parent who couldn't afford postage at the time. Document everything - the name of who you speak with, date, time, and what was discussed. Also, it's very concerning that the amount increased from $1100 to $1700 when you've been making payments. Definitely request that itemized statement. It might also be worth checking if they've applied any penalties for the missed appeal deadline, which could explain some of the increase.
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Sophia Clark
•Thank you so much for this detailed advice! I'm going to call tomorrow and ask specifically for that late appeal request and the itemized statement. I'll make sure to document everything carefully. Fingers crossed I can actually get through to someone who can help straighten this out.
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Anna Stewart
I'm really sorry you're going through this mess with ESD - their overpayment calculations can be incredibly confusing and frustrating to deal with. From what you've described, it definitely sounds like they may have incorrectly applied their earnings distribution rules to your situation. One thing that might help while you're trying to get through to them: keep detailed records of every payment you've made so far, including dates and amounts. When you do get someone on the phone, having this information ready will help you challenge any discrepancies in their calculations. Also, don't give up on that hardship waiver someone mentioned earlier. As a single mom who was in financial distress when the original appeal deadline passed, you have legitimate grounds for requesting an extension. ESD has some discretion in these situations, especially when there are clear hardship circumstances. The fact that you reported everything honestly and on time shows you were trying to do the right thing. Hang in there and keep pushing for answers - you deserve to understand exactly what you're being charged for and why.
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