Can I get Washington ESD unemployment benefits while receiving Social Security?

That's a relief! Do you know how much they typically reduce the unemployment benefits by? I don't want to be surprised when I file my weekly claims.

It varies based on your specific benefit amounts. Washington ESD will determine the exact reduction when you file your initial claim. Make sure to report your Social Security income accurately on your application.

Thanks for sharing that! I've been dreading trying to call Washington ESD because I know how hard it is to get through.

How much does that service cost? I'm already on a tight budget with just Social Security.

It was worth it for me to get accurate information instead of guessing. The peace of mind was valuable when dealing with both Social Security and unemployment benefits.

Good point. I am planning to look for work, but at my age it might take longer. Do they have different requirements for older workers?

The work search requirements are the same regardless of age. You'll need to complete at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log of your efforts.

Pensions and Social Security are treated differently by Washington ESD. Social Security retirement benefits don't disqualify you from unemployment, but some pensions might reduce your benefits depending on how they're structured.

Yeah there's definitely a difference. I had a pension from my old job and Washington ESD reduced my unemployment dollar for dollar. But Social Security is handled differently.

Should I include the full monthly amount or break it down weekly? I get paid monthly from Social Security.

Washington ESD typically wants weekly amounts for their calculations. You can divide your monthly Social Security by 4.33 to get the weekly amount.

Try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser. Sometimes the Washington ESD site doesn't work well with certain browsers.

I'll try that. This whole process is so frustrating when you're already stressed about being unemployed.

I'm 63 so I think I'm still under the earnings limit rules. This is getting complicated with both programs having different rules.

Definitely check with Social Security about their earnings test. You don't want to accidentally go over their limits while collecting unemployment and looking for work.

That's encouraging! 75% is still better than nothing while I'm job hunting.

How long did it take for Washington ESD to process your claim? I'm worried about delays with the added complexity.

Mine took about 3 weeks which seemed normal. They had to verify my Social Security information but it wasn't a major delay.

Good reminder. I should probably set aside some money for taxes since I'll have multiple income sources this year.

That's scary! What did you do during the appeal to prove you were available for work?

I had to provide documentation of my job search activities and a letter explaining that my Social Security didn't prevent me from working. Eventually got it sorted out.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr to talk to an agent before filing. Wanted to make sure I understood all the requirements upfront to avoid appeal issues.

Survivor benefits are generally treated the same as retirement benefits for Washington ESD purposes. You should still be eligible for unemployment with potential reduction based on the benefit amount.

Definitely planning to be completely honest. Not worth the risk of getting in trouble later.

Smart approach. The penalties for not reporting income can be harsh, including having to pay back benefits with interest.

Good point. I'll probably look for part-time work initially given my age, so I need to understand both sets of rules.

Seems like several people have had success with that service. Might be worth it to get the details straight before I file.

Perfect summary, thank you! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident about moving forward with my application.