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Also be prepared for the fact that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them when you file your tax return.
One final tip - read all the instructions carefully and answer every question honestly. Washington ESD can verify most of your information, so lying or making mistakes will just cause delays and could get you in trouble.
Quick reminder that if you're getting close to exhausting your benefits, you might want to consider temporary or contract work to bridge the gap. Even if it's not your ideal job, it can help while you continue searching for something permanent.
Bottom line: 26 weeks maximum for regular Washington ESD unemployment benefits. No current extensions available. Make the most of your time and don't wait until the last minute to get serious about your job search. Good luck to everyone dealing with unemployment right now!
I called Washington ESD through that Claimyr service to ask about getting my tax withholding changed and they were super helpful. The agent explained that the 10% withholding is just an estimate and I might still owe more or get a refund depending on my total tax situation.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I had no idea unemployment was taxable and I've been collecting for months. Going to set up the tax withholding right now and start saving money for what I might already owe.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I'm feeling much more confident about filing now. Going to do it this afternoon and hopefully it goes smoothly.
Tyler Lefleur
Quick question - do you have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify? I have a work permit but I'm not a citizen yet.
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Mia Alvarez
•You don't need to be a citizen, but you do need to be authorized to work in the U.S. If you have a valid work permit, that should be sufficient.
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Tyler Lefleur
•Perfect, thank you! That was my main concern about applying.
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Madeline Blaze
For everyone asking about contacting Washington ESD - I finally got through using traditional calling after literally 47 attempts over two weeks. But honestly, that Claimyr thing would have saved me days of frustration. Sometimes the extra convenience is worth it when you're dealing with unemployment stress.
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Max Knight
•47 attempts?! That's insane. The phone system really needs to be fixed.
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Zachary Hughes
•I'm definitely going to look into that service if I can't get through the normal way. Thanks for sharing your experience everyone - this has been super helpful!
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