Can't reach Washington Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the ESD
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the ESD drops your call
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- 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 :)
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Just wanted to update - I filed my UI claim while receiving severance and it all worked out fine. The key was being honest about the severance amount on my weekly claims. Washington ESD adjusted my benefits accordingly and I didn't have any issues.
That's great to hear! I'm going to file mine this week. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice.
Glad it worked out for you! Honesty is definitely the best policy with these things.
Does anyone know if a lump sum severance is treated differently than severance paid out over time? My company is giving me the option to choose.
The Boss
•For UI purposes, Washington ESD will prorate it the same way regardless of how you receive it. The choice might affect your taxes though, so you might want to consult a tax professional about that aspect.
Chris King
•I took the lump sum and just had to report it spread over the weeks it was supposed to cover. Worked fine.
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I had so many questions like this when I started my claim. Couldn't get through to Washington ESD for weeks to get answers. Finally tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned here and actually got to talk to a real person who walked me through everything.
Ravi Kapoor
•Was it worth it? I'm getting desperate trying to reach someone at Washington ESD.
Absolutely. Saved me so much stress and got my questions answered quickly. Way better than playing phone tag for weeks.
Bottom line: unemployment compensation = the money Washington ESD pays you each week when you're unemployed and eligible. All the other terms (UI, unemployment benefits, etc.) mean basically the same thing. Don't overthink it!
Dylan Evans
•Thank you! This whole thread has been super helpful. I feel much less confused now.
Omar Mahmoud
•Glad we could help! The terminology really is unnecessarily confusing for new claimants.
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One more tip - when you file, be very clear about your reason for separation. 'Position eliminated/layoff' is different from 'end of leave' in their system.
That's a great point. I'll make sure to emphasize that it was a layoff, not me choosing not to return.
Liam Mendez
•Exactly. The wording you use can make a big difference in how quickly your claim gets processed.
Has anyone dealt with the tax implications of UI benefits after maternity leave? I'm wondering if I need to plan differently since I won't have regular payroll taxes taken out.
You can elect to have taxes withheld from your UI benefits, or you can pay quarterly estimated taxes. Definitely something to think about for next year's return.
Good point, I hadn't thought about that aspect yet. I'll look into the tax withholding options when I file.
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Mei Chen
Good luck with everything! Remember that getting laid off isn't a reflection on you personally, especially in manufacturing where it's often just economic factors.
I appreciate that. It's been pretty stressful but all this information helps a lot.
We've all been there in some form. You'll get through this!
Just wanted to add that if you run into any issues with your claim getting stuck in adjudication or anything like that, there are resources to help. That Claimyr service has been mentioned a few times and seems legit for getting through to ESD when you really need to talk to someone.
I'll keep that in mind if I run into problems. Hopefully the process goes smoothly since it was a clear layoff.
Leila Haddad
For anyone still struggling to reach Washington ESD by phone about injury-related claims, I finally got through using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Took less than 30 minutes total and the agent was able to answer all my questions about collecting benefits with work restrictions. Worth every penny to avoid the phone tree nightmare.
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Emma Johnson
•How much does Claimyr cost? I'm getting desperate to talk to someone at Washington ESD.
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Leila Haddad
•I don't remember the exact amount but it was reasonable considering how much time and frustration it saved me. Check their website at claimyr.com for current pricing.
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Ravi Patel
Just want to add that timing matters when filing with an injury. Don't wait too long thinking you need to be 100% healed first. File as soon as you're laid off or lose work due to the injury. You can always update Washington ESD if your medical situation changes, but you can't backdate benefits you should have been collecting.
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Carlos Mendoza
•This is exactly what I needed to hear. I was waiting to see if my back would get better quickly but I should just file now.
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Ravi Patel
•Absolutely file now. The worst thing that happens is they say no, but more likely they'll approve you and you'll have income while you recover and job search.
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