Washington Unemployment

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If I could give 10 stars I would

If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!

Really made a difference

Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.

Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.

Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.

An incredibly helpful service

An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!

Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.

Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.

IT WORKS!! Not a scam!

I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!

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Ask the community...

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  • DO answer questions and support each other.
  • DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
  • DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)

Zara Mirza

Washington ESD unemployment benefits not taxable what year - need help with taxes

I'm trying to figure out my taxes and I remember there was a year when unemployment benefits weren't taxable but I can't remember which year it was. I received Washington ESD benefits in 2020 and 2021 and I'm wondering if I need to amend my returns or if there's something I missed. My tax preparer is asking about it and I'm completely confused. Does anyone know what year unemployment wasn't taxable and how that affected Washington state unemployment benefits?

Just want to emphasize - this was ONLY for 2020. I've seen people think it applied to 2021 or 2022 unemployment and get into trouble with their taxes.

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Thanks for the reminder. It's easy to get confused with all the different COVID-related tax changes.

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For anyone still sorting this out - keep good records of all your Washington ESD payments and tax documents. The IRS can ask for documentation even years later.

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Good advice. I'm going to dig up my old 1099-G forms and make sure everything matches what I reported.

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Smart move. Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to taxes and unemployment benefits.

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Clarissa Flair

Does your employer know if you file for unemployment with Washington ESD?

I'm thinking about filing for unemployment benefits but I'm worried my current employer might find out. I work part-time and my hours have been cut way back, so I think I qualify for partial benefits. But I don't want my boss to know I'm looking into this. Does Washington ESD notify employers when you file a claim? I'm scared they'll cut my hours even more or let me go if they find out I filed.

Update: I filed my claim yesterday and I'm already feeling better about it. Thanks to everyone who helped me understand the process. Now I just need to wait and see what happens when my employer gets the notice.

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Keep us posted on how it goes. Your experience might help other people in similar situations.

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Thanks for the update! I'm going to file mine this week too. This whole thread convinced me it's the right thing to do.

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This has been a really informative thread. I'm bookmarking it in case I ever need to reference it. The employer notification thing seems to be the biggest concern people have about filing.

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yeah its scary but like everyone said, if you qualify then you qualify. employers cant change that

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Exactly. The system exists to protect workers in these situations. Don't let fear of employer reactions prevent you from accessing benefits you've earned.

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Sophia Bennett

How long do you have to work before you can collect unemployment in Washington?

I just started a new job 3 months ago and I'm worried about job security. If something happens and I get laid off, would I qualify for unemployment benefits? I know there's some kind of work requirement but I can't find clear info on Washington ESD's website about exactly how long you need to work before you're eligible. Does anyone know the minimum time you have to be employed before you can file for UI?

Bottom line for OP: if you've been working for 3 months and had another job before that, you'll probably qualify. The exact calculation depends on your specific wage history but most people who've been working steadily meet the requirements.

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Thanks everyone! This has been really helpful. I feel much better prepared now if I ever need to file a claim.

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One more thing - if you do end up filing, make sure you understand the difference between being laid off and being fired. It matters for your eligibility and they will investigate if there's any question about the circumstances.

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Good point. Hopefully I won't need to worry about either situation but it's good to know.

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Effie Alexander

If u get fired can u collect unemployment - Washington ESD eligibility?

Got terminated from my warehouse job last week for what they called 'performance issues' but honestly I think it was just because I complained about safety violations. Been working there for 8 months and never had any write-ups before this. Can I still file for unemployment with Washington ESD if I got fired? I heard different things from people - some say you can't get benefits if you're fired, others say it depends on the reason. Really stressed about this because I need to pay rent next month and job hunting is taking forever. Anyone know how this works with Washington state unemployment?

The bottom line is Washington ESD looks at whether you were fired for misconduct that was willful and substantial. Reporting safety violations is actually protected activity, so if that's why you were really terminated, you have a strong case for benefits. Don't let the employer intimidate you.

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I'm feeling a lot better about this after reading everyone's experiences. Going to document everything and be ready for the adjudication process.

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That's the right approach. Stay organized with your documentation and be honest about what happened. Washington ESD deals with these situations all the time.

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UPDATE: Just want to thank everyone for the advice and encouragement. Filed my claim this morning and already got the confirmation. Now just waiting to see what happens with the adjudication process. Fingers crossed!

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You did the right thing by filing immediately. Hope everything works out for you.

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If you need to reach Washington ESD during the process, remember that Claimyr option. Much easier than trying to get through on your own.

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Malik Johnson

How much do unemployment pay rates actually give you in Washington ESD?

I'm trying to figure out exactly how much unemployment pay I can expect if I file with Washington ESD. My friend said it depends on your previous wages but I can't find clear info on their website. I made about $45,000 last year working retail management. Does anyone know the actual formula they use to calculate weekly benefit amounts? Also wondering if there's a maximum they'll pay regardless of your previous salary.

Just filed last month and the whole process was smoother than expected once I got started. The hardest part was getting someone on the phone to ask questions beforehand. If you need to talk to Washington ESD, I'd suggest trying that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier - it actually works.

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Thanks, seems like several people have had good luck with that service for reaching Washington ESD agents.

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yeah I used it too when I had issues with my claim being stuck in adjudication. Worth it to avoid the phone frustration.

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Remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income, so factor that into your planning. The amount they calculate is gross, not what you'll actually take home after taxes.

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Right, I'll definitely set up the tax withholding when I file. Don't want a surprise tax bill next year.

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