Washington Unemployment
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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 :)
Where to pay federal unemployment tax - Washington ESD employer questions
I'm a small business owner in Washington and I'm getting confused about where exactly I need to pay my federal unemployment tax (FUTA). I know I pay state unemployment taxes to Washington ESD, but I'm not sure about the federal portion. Do I pay it through the same system or is it separate? I've been trying to call Washington ESD but can't get through to anyone who handles employer questions. My accountant is out of town and I need to get this sorted before the deadline. Has anyone dealt with this recently?
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If I get laid off can I get unemployment benefits in Washington State?
My company just announced they're doing layoffs next month and I might be affected. I've never dealt with unemployment before - if I get laid off can I actually get unemployment benefits? I work in manufacturing and have been with this company for about 2 years full-time. What do I need to know about filing with Washington ESD if this happens? Are there any requirements I need to meet?
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Feel free to come back here if you have more questions when/if you need to file. Lots of experienced people here who've been through the process.
Will do. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain everything so clearly.
How much you get for unemployment in Washington - confused about benefit amounts
Hi everyone, I'm trying to figure out how much money I'll actually get from Washington ESD unemployment benefits. I've been working as a server at a restaurant for about 2 years making around $35k annually but my hours were really inconsistent. Some weeks I'd make $800, other weeks only $300. I got laid off last month and finally filed my claim but I'm confused about how they calculate the weekly benefit amount. The website mentions something about base period wages but it's not clear to me. Does anyone know the actual formula they use? I need to know if it'll be enough to cover my rent and bills while I look for another job.
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Just to wrap up the benefit calculation discussion - remember that your weekly benefit amount is set when your claim is established and won't change during your benefit year, even if you get a part-time job or your circumstances change. The only thing that changes is whether you're eligible for the full amount each week based on your weekly claim answers.
That's a really important point. So I don't have to worry about them recalculating my benefits if I do some freelance work?
Exactly. Your weekly benefit amount stays the same, but you might get a reduced payment or no payment for weeks when you earn too much. The base amount doesn't change though.
One last thing - if you're worried about making ends meet while waiting for your first payment, look into local food banks and emergency assistance programs. Many cities have resources specifically for people who are between jobs. No shame in getting help when you need it.
That's really thoughtful advice. I'm hoping I won't need it but it's good to know those resources exist.
211 is a great resource too - just dial 2-1-1 and they can connect you with local assistance programs
Can you get Washington ESD unemployment if you own a business - sole proprietor situation
I've been running a small consulting business as a sole proprietor for the past 2 years, but work has completely dried up since last fall. I'm barely making any income and wondering if I can file for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD. I know I haven't been paying into the UI system as a business owner, but I'm not sure what my options are. Has anyone been in a similar situation with their own business and successfully gotten unemployment? I'm really struggling to pay my bills and need to know if this is even possible.
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thanks for all this info everyone, this thread has been really helpful for understanding the rules
Agreed! I have a much better idea of what I need to do now.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do! The unemployment system is complicated but there are options if you qualify. Don't give up if you think you have a legitimate claim.
Thank you! I'm going to gather my employment records and probably speak with Washington ESD directly about my situation.
Definitely use Claimyr to get through to them - it really does work!
Do I file unemployment on my taxes - Washington ESD unemployment benefits tax questions
I received unemployment benefits from Washington ESD last year and I'm really confused about filing taxes. Do I need to report the unemployment money I got? I received around $8,400 total in UI benefits and I'm not sure if this counts as income or what forms I need. My friend said unemployment isn't taxable but that doesn't sound right to me. Can someone help me understand what I need to do for my 2024 taxes?
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I tried calling Washington ESD yesterday to ask about my 1099-G and couldn't get through after 2 hours of trying. The phone system is absolutely awful. Finally gave up and found it online through SecureAccess Washington.
The online access is definitely faster than trying to call. I found my 1099-G there within minutes.
This is exactly why I recommend Claimyr for anyone who actually needs to speak with Washington ESD staff. The regular phone system is basically unusable.
For anyone still confused: Unemployment = taxable income. You report it on Line 7 of Form 1040. You'll get a 1099-G showing the amount. If you had federal taxes withheld, that goes on your withholding line just like regular job withholding. It's really not that complicated once you understand the basics.
Thanks everyone for all the help! I feel much more confident about handling this on my taxes now.
Glad this thread was helpful. Tax season is stressful enough without being confused about unemployment reporting.
Yuki Tanaka
Final thought on this - if you do need to reach Washington ESD for any employer-related questions about your state unemployment account, definitely try Claimyr. The phone system there is just as impossible for employers as it is for claimants, so having a way to actually get through is invaluable.
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Aisha Abdullah
AuthorThanks for the recommendation. I'll bookmark that for future Washington ESD questions.
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Aria Park
This whole thread should be required reading for new business owners. The federal/state split is so confusing when you're starting out.
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Aisha Abdullah
AuthorAgreed! I wish I had found this information earlier. Everyone has been really helpful.
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