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Just to add to what others said - if your employment doesn't work out within the benefit year (which runs for 12 months from when you first applied), you can reopen your existing claim rather than filing a completely new one. This is called "reopening" a claim and it's much simpler than starting from scratch. Just something to keep in mind just in case.
Congratulations on your new job! Based on everyone's advice here, it sounds like the key is to report your earnings accurately for any week you worked (even partially) and then just stop filing claims after that. I've been on unemployment for 3 months myself and this thread is super helpful - I'm bookmarking it in case I need it when I find work. The fraud investigation warning from Marcus is especially important to keep in mind. Good luck with your new position!
The whole system is designed to be confusing on purpose. I swear they make it complicated so people give up and don't claim benefits they're entitled to. Stick with it and ask questions when you need help.
One more thing to keep in mind - if you're planning to file, do it as soon as possible after losing your job. There's a one-week waiting period before you can receive benefits, and you can't backdate your claim beyond the week you actually file. So even if you're unsure about the exact amount, it's better to file early and figure out the details later rather than lose out on potential weeks of benefits.
Bottom line: file for regular unemployment through Washington ESD if you lose your job, be prepared to explain your work capacity during adjudication, and use services like Claimyr if you need to actually talk to someone at ESD about your specific situation. The system can work for people with disabilities, it just takes some extra documentation and patience.
One thing that might help clarify your situation is knowing that Washington State also has Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) through the ESD, which is different from both regular unemployment and disability benefits. If you're currently working part-time but need to reduce hours or take time off due to your health condition, you might qualify for PFML benefits while still maintaining your employment. This could be an option to explore before you reach the point of needing to file for unemployment. The PFML program allows for intermittent leave, which might work better for managing a chronic condition while staying employed.
UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know I got my payment this morning - took exactly 4 business days after the expedite call! All back weeks paid at once. If anyone else is stuck in adjudication hell, definitely contact your state rep or the governor's office. It really works!
So glad to see this success story! I'm currently on week 5 of waiting for my claim to be processed after filing an appeal. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like contacting the Governor's office might be my next step. For those who reached out to elected officials, did you call directly or submit through their website contact forms? And did you need to provide any specific documentation when you contacted them? Really appreciate everyone sharing their timelines - it helps to know there's light at the end of the tunnel!
Drake
When I got laid off last year I chose NO withholding for the first two months then switched to YES for the rest of my unemployment period. It was kind of a compromise - I needed the full amount at first while I was adjusting my budget, then switched to withholding once I had my expenses under control. Just sharing another approach!
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Alexander Zeus
•That's actually a really smart approach. I might consider doing exactly that - no withholding for a month until I get caught up on some bills, then switch to having taxes taken out. Thanks for sharing!
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Andre Moreau
I went through the same decision last year when I was laid off from my retail job. I chose to have taxes withheld from day one, and honestly it was the right call for me. Yes, my weekly benefit was smaller (around $680 instead of $750), but when tax season came around I actually got a small refund instead of owing money. The peace of mind was worth it - I was already stressed about finding work and didn't need the extra worry of a looming tax bill. Plus, once you adjust your budget to the smaller amount, you don't really miss that extra money. Just my 2 cents as someone who's been there!
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