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Remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income, so you might want to have taxes withheld from your payments to avoid a big tax bill next year.
Last thing - if you do any part-time work while collecting unemployment, make sure you report it on your weekly claim. You can usually still get some benefits as long as you report the income correctly.
This thread has been super helpful! I'm in a similar situation and was wondering the same thing. Thanks for asking OP
Last thought - even if the math seems confusing, Washington ESD's computer system will calculate everything automatically when you apply. You just need to provide accurate employment information and let the system do the work
For anyone still struggling to reach Washington ESD about eligibility questions, I'll mention Claimyr one more time. I know I've brought it up before but it really helped me get my questions answered when I couldn't get through on my own. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to understand your specific situation.
This has been a really informative thread. I think the key takeaways for Washington ESD eligibility are: meet the wage requirements, be unemployed through no fault of your own, be able and available for work, register with WorkSource, and actively search for jobs. Anything I'm missing?
From my experience with similar wages, you'll probably get somewhere in the $450-550 range per week. Not enough to maintain your full lifestyle but definitely helps cover basic expenses while job hunting. The key is to treat job searching like your full-time job.
One last tip - if you have any issues with your claim or need clarification on anything, don't wait. Address problems early before they turn into bigger issues. And if you can't get through by phone, there's always the secure messaging system on their website, though responses can take a few days.
You're welcome! And remember, if you do need to reach an agent quickly, Claimyr is there as an option. Sometimes it's worth it just for peace of mind.
Madison King
Just wanted to add - if your claim gets approved, make sure you understand the overpayment rules. If you earn too much in a week from freelance work and don't report it properly, you could end up owing money back to Washington ESD.
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Madison King
•It varies based on your weekly benefit amount, but generally you can earn up to a certain amount before they start reducing your benefits dollar for dollar. The exact calculation is on the Washington ESD website.
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Julian Paolo
•And ALWAYS report any earnings, even if it's just $20. Better to be safe than sorry with overpayments.
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Ella Knight
Final tip - keep detailed records of everything. Your job search activities, any freelance income, correspondence with Washington ESD, etc. If there are ever any questions about your claim, having good documentation will save you a lot of headaches.
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Ella Knight
•Smart move. Organization is key when dealing with any government benefit program.
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William Schwarz
•Yeah, and screenshot everything online too. Sometimes their system glitches and you'll want proof of what you submitted.
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