Are there any downsides to filing for Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

That's reassuring to hear! So it's basically like using any other insurance benefit you've paid for?

Exactly right. You've been paying into the UI system with every paycheck, so there's no shame in using it when you need it.

3 job contacts per week doesn't sound too bad. Is there a specific way they want you to document these?

Yes, you log them in WorkSourceWA.com with details about each contact. Keep records of applications, interviews, networking events, etc.

Oh wow, I didn't think about the tax implications. Can I have them withhold taxes automatically?

Yes, when you file your claim there's an option to have 10% withheld for federal taxes. It's usually worth doing to avoid a surprise tax bill later.

I learned this the hard way last year - owed like $800 in taxes because I didn't withhold anything from my UI benefits.

I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an actual agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Never heard of that but anything is better than spending my whole day redialing the same number!

Is this some kind of paid service? Seems weird to pay someone to make a phone call for you.

It's worth it when you consider how much time you waste trying to get through on your own. Plus if you have urgent issues with your claim, time is money.

What happens if you do some freelance work? Do they reduce your benefits?

Yes, they deduct it from your weekly benefit amount. But you can still collect partial benefits as long as you're under a certain earnings threshold.

How long does it usually take to get your first payment after filing?

Mine took about 3 weeks because there was some adjudication issue they had to review. But once it got approved, the payments came regularly every week.

3 weeks is pretty normal for first-time filers. They have to verify your work history and make sure everything checks out.

That usually only happens if you don't report income correctly or if there's fraud involved. As long as you're honest about your job search activities and report any work you do, you shouldn't have problems.

Ok that makes me feel better. I just want to make sure I do everything by the book.

How often do they actually audit people's job search activities?

It's pretty random but they do spot checks. I got audited once and had to provide documentation for like 6 weeks worth of job contacts.

Same thing happened to me. As long as you keep good records it's no big deal.

No, unemployment benefits don't show up on employment background checks. Employers can't see that you collected UI benefits.

Good to know! I was worried about that affecting future applications.

Yeah I've been thinking about how to explain the layoff in interviews. At least it wasn't performance-related.

Layoffs are super common in tech right now. Most employers understand it's not a reflection on your abilities.

What day of the week do you have to file by?

You have to file by 11:59 PM on Saturday for the previous week. I set a phone reminder so I don't forget.

Pro tip: you can file starting Sunday morning for the week that just ended. Don't wait until Saturday!

That's a good point. I guess I was overthinking the stigma aspect.

Exactly. It's really between you and Washington ESD. Your neighbors aren't getting notifications that you're collecting benefits lol

What's the difference between those two statuses?

Able and available means you're actively seeking work. Standby is for temporary layoffs where you expect to be called back to the same job.

I made this mistake early on and had to go through adjudication to fix it. Cost me like 2 weeks of benefits.

How does that service actually work? Do they just call for you?

Yeah they handle the calling and waiting on hold, then connect you directly to an ESD agent when they get through. Way better than spending hours on hold yourself.

I used them too when I had an overpayment notice I needed to appeal. Worth every penny to talk to someone who could actually help.

What percentage of your salary does Washington ESD typically replace?

It varies but usually around 50-60% of your previous wages, up to a maximum weekly amount. Better than nothing but definitely not enough to maintain your previous lifestyle.

The max weekly benefit in Washington is $1015 right now, so if you were making good money you'll definitely feel the reduction.

What defines 'suitable work'? Is there a minimum salary threshold?

It's based on your skills, experience, and how long you've been unemployed. Early on you can be more selective, but after several weeks you're expected to consider lower-paying positions too.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I feel much more confident about filing now.

Good luck with your claim and your job search! The tech market is tough right now but there are still opportunities out there.

Definitely file ASAP - there's a waiting week before benefits start, so the sooner you file the sooner you'll start receiving payments.

I'll definitely keep that in mind if I run into problems. Hopefully my claim will be straightforward since it was just a standard layoff.

Even straightforward claims sometimes need clarification. Better to know about resources like that before you need them.