Can I claim ESD unemployment after severance payments end? Semi-monthly severance question

You can't collect unemployment while ur getting severance. but u can apply NOW and just report your severance income each week. that way when severance ends ur already in the system. that's what i did.

Here's the correct information: Severance pay is considered deductible income under Washington state law. You should file your initial unemployment claim now, even while receiving severance. You'll need to report your severance payments when you file weekly claims, and your benefits will be reduced accordingly (possibly to $0 while receiving severance). This way, once your severance ends, you'll already be in the system and can continue filing weekly claims without interruption. If you wait until after severance ends to apply, you might miss out on potential benefits because ESD generally doesn't backdate claims without good cause.

Yes, your last day physically working is your last day of work, regardless of severance. And absolutely continue filing weekly claims even if you're receiving $0 - this maintains your claim as active and fulfills the requirement to look for work (you'll need to document 3 job search activities per week). If you stop filing weekly claims, your claim could become inactive and you'd need to reopen it later.

wait im confussed. does severance count as "earnings" or is it something different? i thought severance was like a goodbye gift from ur employer not actual wages?? My brother got laid off too and ESD told him his severance didn't count against his benefits but maybe the rules changed???

I HATE ESD and their confusing rules!!! I had severance last year and they messed up my claim SO BAD that I ended up having to pay back $3200 in "overpayments" because they said I reported my severance wrong. Their system is TERRIBLE and the instructions are completely unclear about what counts as income!!! Good luck actually getting anyone on the phone too - I spent WEEKS trying to reach someone without success.

Here's another thing to consider - make absolutely sure you're meeting the job search requirements from day one, even while on severance. The requirement is 3 documented job search activities each week. If you don't do this and get audited later, you could be disqualified retroactively and have to pay everything back. I've seen this happen to several former coworkers.

You'll enter your job search activities directly into your eServices account when filing weekly claims. For each activity, you'll need the date, type of activity (application, interview, etc.), employer/organization name, position, contact info, and sometimes additional details. You don't need to upload documentation, but keep your own detailed records (screenshots of applications, emails, etc.) in case you're selected for a job search review. They do random audits and will ask for proof.

Everyone has been so helpful - thank you! I'm going to apply right away and make sure I do those weekly claims even during severance. One last question: if I get a job offer during my severance period but the start date is after my severance ends, will I still be eligible for unemployment for those weeks between severance ending and my new job starting?

jut wondering - do you have to pay taxes on unemployment benifits? and do they take taxes out or you have to pay them later? trying to figure this out for my budgeting