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 :)
What are the requirements to draw unemployment in Washington state?
I'm thinking about filing for unemployment benefits but I'm not sure if I qualify. What are the basic requirements to draw unemployment in Washington? I worked part-time for about 8 months before getting laid off, but I'm not sure if that's enough work history. Also do I need to be actively looking for work right away or can I take some time to figure out what I want to do next? Any info would be helpful since the Washington ESD website is confusing.
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How do I reapply for Washington ESD unemployment benefits after my claim expired?
My unemployment claim expired back in October and I've been working part-time since then, but now my hours got cut drastically and I need to reapply for benefits. I'm confused about whether I need to file a completely new claim or if there's a way to reopen my old one. When I log into my Washington ESD account, it shows my old claim but everything looks inactive. Do I just start over from scratch or is there a reopen option I'm missing? Also wondering if my previous work history will still count or if they only look at jobs since my last claim ended.
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Quick question - if I file a new claim but then my hours pick back up at work, can I just stop filing weekly claims without any penalty?
Yes, you can stop filing weekly claims anytime your situation improves. Just don't file a claim for that week and your claim will remain inactive until you need it again (within the benefit year).
That's good to know! Takes some pressure off filing now even if I'm not 100% sure I'll need it long-term.
One last tip - make sure your contact information is current in your profile before you file. I almost missed important notices because they were going to an old email address from my previous claim.
Thanks everyone for all the help! Going to file this weekend and will make sure to update my contact info first.
Good luck! The process is really not as bad as it seems once you get started.
Can you collect unemployment if you are on light duty in Washington ESD?
I got injured at work two months ago and my doctor put me on light duty restrictions - no lifting over 20 pounds and limited standing. My employer says they don't have any light duty positions available right now and sent me home indefinitely. I'm still technically employed but not getting paid. Can I file for unemployment benefits with Washington ESD while I'm on light duty? I'm confused about whether being on medical restrictions affects my ability to work requirement.
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Final update from me - filed my claim yesterday and it's showing as pending. The website says it could take 3-4 weeks for a decision since it involves medical restrictions. At least I know I did everything right thanks to all the advice here!
Good luck! The waiting is the hardest part but it sounds like you have a solid case.
If you need to follow up on the claim status and can't get through on the phone, remember that Claimyr service I mentioned. Sometimes you need to talk to someone to speed things along.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful information in this thread! I wasn't the original poster but I'm in a similar situation and this answered all my questions. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain things clearly.
That's what this community is for! Always happy to help people navigate the unemployment system.
Agreed, everyone here was so helpful. Made a stressful situation much more manageable.
How can I appeal if my unemployment claim is denied in Washington ESD
My unemployment claim got denied last week and I'm completely lost on what to do next. The letter from Washington ESD says I can appeal but doesn't really explain the process clearly. I was let go from my job due to company downsizing but they're saying I quit voluntarily which is absolutely not true. I have emails proving I was laid off but I don't know how to get them to actually look at this evidence. Has anyone been through the appeal process before? How long does it take and what are my chances of winning if I have documentation?
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Question for anyone who's been through this - do you get to see what your employer submitted as their evidence before the hearing?
Usually you can request copies of their submission, but it might not arrive until right before the hearing. Call and ask for it specifically.
Good to know. I want to be prepared for whatever they might claim.
Just wanted to say good luck with your appeal! It sounds like you have strong evidence and a legitimate case. Don't let this process stress you out too much - most reasonable hearing officers will see through employer BS if you have documentation.
Thank you so much! All of this advice has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident about filing my appeal now.
You're welcome! Keep us posted on how it goes. This kind of information helps other people in similar situations.
How much do you get on unemployment in Washington state?
I'm about to file for unemployment for the first time and honestly have no idea what to expect for the weekly benefit amount. I've been working full time making about $52,000 a year for the past 3 years. Does anyone know how Washington ESD calculates the weekly benefit amount? I'm trying to figure out if it'll be enough to cover my basic expenses while I look for work.
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Your weekly benefit amount will be listed clearly in your Washington ESD account once your claim is processed. They send you a determination letter that explains exactly how they calculated it too.
That's helpful to know. At least I'll have all the details in writing.
Don't stress too much about the exact amount until you file and see what you qualify for. Focus on getting your application submitted correctly first, then you'll know for sure what your weekly benefit will be.
You're right, I'm probably overthinking this. I'll just file and see what happens.
Exactly! The Washington ESD system will walk you through everything step by step.
Ava Martinez
Don't forget about the tax implications. Unemployment benefits are taxable income so you'll need to report them when you file your taxes. You can have taxes withheld from your weekly payments.
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Mei Zhang
AuthorOh I didn't know that. How much tax do they typically withhold?
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Ava Martinez
It's optional but they'll withhold 10% for federal taxes if you elect to have it taken out. You're still responsible for any additional taxes owed.
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Miguel Castro
I tried using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier when I couldn't get through to Washington ESD about my adjudication issue. It actually worked and I got connected to an agent who helped resolve my problem within a few days.
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Giovanni Rossi
That's encouraging. I'm going to check out that video demo they mentioned.
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Mei Zhang
AuthorWhat kind of adjudication issue did you have? I'm worried I might run into problems with my claim.
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