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One more tip - when you get to your hearing, speak slowly and clearly. The judge has to take notes on everything you say so give them time to write it down. Don't rush through your explanation.
Final thought: Document everything. Keep records of all communications with both agencies, all medical documentation, and any decisions made. This will protect you and help if there are any issues later.
One thing I learned is that temporary work through staffing agencies can be tricky to report correctly. Make sure you understand whether you're an employee or contractor because it affects how you report the income.
Bottom line: you can work while on unemployment but you have to report everything honestly and understand how it affects your benefits. The 1.5x your weekly benefit amount rule is key to remember.
Thanks for sharing your experience OP. I'm in a similar situation with my photography business being slow this winter. Going to look into whether my summer job at a wedding venue would qualify me.
This has been really educational. I always thought UI was only for people who got laid off from regular jobs. The mixed employment situation is way more common than I realized.
A lot of people have multiple income streams these days - gig work, part-time jobs, small businesses. The unemployment system tries to account for that complexity, but it's not always clear how it works.
Andrew Pinnock
I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier when I had questions about my termination benefits. Really did help me get through to an agent quickly instead of spending my whole day on hold.
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Amelia Cartwright
•That seems to be a popular recommendation. I might give it a try if I have trouble getting through to Washington ESD.
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Brianna Schmidt
One thing to keep in mind - even if you get approved, there might be a waiting period before benefits start. Plan accordingly for your first few weeks.
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Amelia Cartwright
•How long is the typical waiting period for termination cases?
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Brianna Schmidt
•It varies, but usually 3-6 weeks for the investigation plus any standard waiting week. Could be longer if they need more information.
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