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the fact that churches can opt out but regular businesses cant is so unfair. my husband's construction company has to pay all these taxes but the megachurch down the street doesn't? makes no sense
OP, definitely don't give up. File your claim anyway and let Washington ESD do their research. You might be surprised what they find in their wage database. And if you need to talk to them about it, that Claimyr service people mentioned is legit - my sister used it last month.
For what it's worth, I finally got through yesterday after trying for two weeks. Called right at 8am and was on hold for 2.5 hours but eventually talked to someone. They were actually really helpful once I got connected. Don't give up!
Good luck everyone! This thread has been super helpful. Going to try the 8am calling strategy and if that doesn't work I'll look into that Claimyr service people keep mentioning.
don't forget that unemployment benefits might affect other benefits you're getting like food stamps or housing assistance. the extra income could push you over eligibility limits for some programs
Final tip: keep detailed records of everything related to your unemployment claim. Benefit amounts, job search activities, any correspondence with ESD. If there are ever issues or audits you'll need that documentation.
The good news is that Washington state has some of the higher unemployment benefits in the country. The $999 maximum is pretty generous compared to other states.
Final tip - keep all your pay stubs and tax documents from the last 18 months. If Washington ESD needs to verify your wages or if there are any discrepancies, having those documents ready will speed up the process.
Hattie Carson
For what it's worth, I contacted Washington ESD through Claimyr when I had PIN issues and they were able to help me set up online access properly instead of just resending the PIN. Sometimes talking to an actual person helps you find better solutions.
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Ayla Kumar
•That's smart - getting help with the online system instead of just relying on the phone method.
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Hattie Carson
•Exactly. The agents can walk you through the online setup which is much more useful long-term.
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Destiny Bryant
This has been really helpful! I didn't realize so many people had the same PIN confusion. Glad to know the online system works without it.
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Ayla Kumar
•Yeah, it seems like a pretty common issue. At least now we all know there are multiple ways to file claims!
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