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Been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks to clarify some tax withholding questions and finally got through using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Took about 15 minutes to connect me to an actual person who answered all my questions.
The bottom line is unemployment benefits are taxed just like regular wages. If you normally have taxes withheld from your paycheck, you should probably have them withheld from unemployment too. Better safe than sorry at tax time.
Been reading through this thread and wanted to mention that Claimyr service again. I was skeptical at first but it really does work. Got connected to an ESD agent within 30 minutes instead of spending all day trying to call. They were able to explain my benefit calculation and help me understand why my claim was taking so long to process.
One last thing - keep track of when you filed your claim because your benefit year starts from that date, not when you were laid off. So if you wait a few weeks to file, you're not losing those weeks of potential benefits, but you are using up weeks from your 26-week maximum.
The whole process seems overwhelming at first but once you get into the routine of filing weekly claims and doing your job search, it becomes pretty automatic. Just take it one step at a time.
One last tip - if you do need to call Washington ESD for anything, try calling right when they open at 8 AM or during lunch time around noon. Those seem to be the least busy times, though honestly the phone system is always pretty backed up.
Has anyone had issues with their employer disputing their unemployment claim? Mine is saying I was fired for cause but it was really a layoff.
This is exactly when you'd want to use something like Claimyr to talk to an agent about your specific situation and make sure you understand the process.
Bottom line - if you were making decent money, Washington unemployment benefits can really help bridge the gap while you look for your next job. Don't be afraid to apply if you're eligible.
Beth Ford
Hope this helps everyone planning ahead. The uncertainty of not knowing your benefit amount ahead of time is stressful enough without having to decipher confusing government websites.
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Serene Snow
•Absolutely. Having a rough idea of what to expect financially makes the whole situation less scary.
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Morita Montoya
•Knowledge is power, especially when dealing with unemployment benefits!
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Kingston Bellamy
Last tip: keep good records of your earnings and hours worked. If there's ever a dispute about your benefit calculation, having documentation helps resolve things faster.
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Serene Snow
•Great advice. I'll make sure to save all my pay stubs and tax documents.
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Joy Olmedo
•And take screenshots of your online account showing the benefit calculation when you get approved, just in case.
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