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One more thing - if you do manage to get connected with a Washington ESD agent, ask specifically about any state-funded programs you might qualify for. Sometimes there are programs that aren't well publicized.
That's exactly what I did when I used Claimyr to get through - had all my questions ready and the agent was super helpful.
make sure you understand the difference between gross and net earnings when reporting. Washington ESD wants your gross earnings (before taxes), not your take-home pay
Bottom line: you can work part-time and collect unemployment in Washington, but you need to report everything accurately and keep looking for full-time work. The system is complicated but manageable if you stay on top of it.
Khalil Urso
Don't forget about the tax implications. Unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or handle it when you file your tax return next year. Most people prefer to have it withheld.
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Cedric Chung
•Ugh I didn't even think about taxes. How much do they usually withhold?
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Khalil Urso
•I think it's 10% federal withholding. Better to have it taken out now than owe a big chunk at tax time.
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Myles Regis
Also wanted to mention that Claimyr service someone brought up earlier - I tried it when my payments suddenly stopped and I couldn't figure out why. Turned out there was an issue with my job search log that I never would have known about if I hadn't been able to speak to someone. Sometimes these systems have problems that only a human can fix.
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Cedric Chung
•Good to know there are options if I run into problems. Hopefully I won't need it but glad it exists.
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Myles Regis
•Exactly - hopefully you won't need it, but it's nice to know you have a way to actually reach someone if the online system isn't working or you're getting conflicting information.
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