Can I delay filing for unemployment until 2025 after August layoff? Questions about severance and job search requirements

Yes, you can wait to file your initial claim. Your claim doesn't start until you actually file, but be aware there are some important considerations: 1. Your base year for calculating benefits will be different if you wait until 2025. ESD uses your earnings from the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters. Filing in January means different quarters will be used than filing now. 2. You're not required to do job searches until you actually file a claim and start claiming weekly benefits. 3. The potential downside is you're essentially leaving money on the table. Once you qualify for unemployment, those weeks don't roll over - if you don't claim them, they're gone. Personally, I'd consider filing now to establish your claim, then if you find work soon, great! If not, you have the safety net in place.

u can do whatever u want but why would u wait?? ur literally leaving free money on the table. unemployment is a benefit u PAID INTO through taxes. its not charity. take the money while ur eligible!! just my 2 cents...

While you technically can wait to file, I want to add some important nuances to what others have said: 1. Washington has a claim backdating limitation - you can only backdate a claim up to 4 weeks prior to application. So if you wait until January, you cannot claim any weeks from August-December. 2. Regarding your base year - if you wait until January 2025 to file, your base year will be October 2023 through September 2024. If you file now, your base year would be July 2023 through June 2024. 3. Job search requirements only begin once you start filing weekly claims. During your "gap" period before filing, you're not obligated to do any job searches for ESD purposes. 4. One thing to consider: severance pay can affect your unemployment benefits during the weeks it covers. ESD may consider a lump sum severance as covering a specific period based on your weekly salary. Filing later might avoid this potential reduction. I recommend at least opening your claim soon so you understand your weekly benefit amount, then you can make a more informed decision.

I did something similar last year but ended up regretting it. Waited 3 months thinking I'd find something quickly and wanted to just take a mental break. Ended up taking 7 months to find work and those first 3 months of potential benefits would've really helped later on when savings got tight. Just saying, the future is uncertain!

Random question but does anyone know if the severance can reduce your weekly benefit amount? I got severance too and ESD reduced my payments during those weeks even tho it was a lump sum? So confusing!!!!

I spent 4 HOURS trying to reach ESD last month with questions about my severance package and how it would affect my claim. Kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold forever. It was a nightmare until I found Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to an actual ESD agent in about 25 minutes! I was shocked. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent explained exactly how my severance would affect my benefits and helped me plan accordingly. Worth checking out if you have specific questions about your situation.

One thing nobody's mentioned: your benefit year. Once you file a claim, you establish a 52-week benefit year. During that time, you can collect up to your maximum benefit amount (usually 26 times your weekly benefit). If you wait until January and then lose a job AGAIN later in 2025, you might not be able to file a new claim until your benefit year ends in January 2026. Just something to consider in your planning!

For anyone interested in the specific ESD rules on severance pay: when you receive a lump sum severance payment, ESD allocates it based on your regular weekly wage. They treat it as if you're continuing to receive regular pay for a specific period. For example, if your weekly wage was $1,000 and you receive a $6,000 severance, ESD will consider you as having received wages for 6 weeks after separation. During those weeks, your unemployment benefits may be reduced or eliminated depending on the amounts. This is why understanding the timing can help you maximize your benefits. So waiting until after the severance period could make sense IF you're confident in your financial situation and job prospects. But as others have mentioned, you're essentially giving up potential benefit weeks that you won't get back.

As someone who went through a similar situation, I'd strongly recommend filing your claim sooner rather than later, even if you don't immediately start collecting benefits. Here's why: 1. You can establish your claim and benefit amount now, then choose when to start your weekly certifications 2. The job market can be unpredictable - what looks like a few months of searching could easily turn into 6+ months 3. Your severance might actually work in your favor timing-wise. If ESD allocates it over 12 weeks as you calculated, you could file now and potentially start collecting benefits right when that period ends I made the mistake of waiting because I was confident I'd find work quickly. Eight months later, I was kicking myself for those lost benefit weeks. Even if you're financially stable now, unemployment benefits are insurance you've already paid for through your taxes. Consider this: you can always stop collecting benefits if you find work, but you can't go back and claim those weeks you didn't file for. The peace of mind alone is worth it!

I went through something very similar last year - laid off with severance and thought I'd take some time off before filing. Here's what I wish someone had told me: Even if you don't plan to collect benefits right away, file your initial claim NOW. Here's why this strategy worked for me: 1. You lock in your benefit calculation based on your current base year 2. You can delay starting your weekly certifications until you actually need the money 3. If your job search takes longer than expected (mine did!), you're already in the system Regarding your severance - since it sounds like about 12 weeks worth, you could file your initial claim now, then start your weekly certifications in mid-November when the severance period ESD calculates would end. This way you're not losing any benefit weeks but still get your break. The key thing is: filing your initial claim doesn't mean you have to start collecting immediately. But once those weeks pass by unclaimed, they're gone forever. Given how unpredictable the job market is right now, having that safety net established could save you a lot of stress later. Trust me, future you will thank present you for filing sooner rather than later!