Can I get severance package and Washington ESD unemployment benefits at same time?

Yes you can receive both but there are specific rules about timing. Washington ESD considers severance as wages for the weeks it covers. So if your severance equals what you normally make in 4 weeks, you'd be disqualified for those 4 weeks but can file immediately after that period ends.

I went through this same situation last year. The key is being upfront about the severance when you file your initial claim. Washington ESD will calculate the disqualification period automatically. Don't try to hide it or you'll have overpayment issues later.

I had similar issues reaching Washington ESD about my severance questions. Ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually get through to an agent. They have this system that calls for you and waits on hold - saved me hours of frustration. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Wait so if I get 6 weeks severance I can't get unemployment for 6 weeks? That seems unfair since I'm still unemployed and looking for work.

Be careful about lump sum vs periodic severance payments too. If they pay you weekly over 8 weeks that might be different than getting $8000 all at once. The timing affects your UI eligibility differently.

also make sure you file your claim right away even if you have the severance disqualification. you want to get in the system and establish your claim date. the waiting doesnt start until you actually file

I'm dealing with something similar but my employer is being weird about whether it's severance or vacation payout. They keep changing their story. Anyone know if vacation pay is treated the same as severance?

One more thing - make sure you understand if your severance includes COBRA payments or other benefits. Sometimes what looks like $8000 severance is actually less in actual wages once you subtract benefit payments.

The Washington ESD handbook has all this info spelled out but it's buried in like 200 pages of bureaucratic language. Basically: report severance, let them calculate disqualification period, file claim anyway, wait out the period, then start collecting UI.

Just to follow up on the Claimyr thing - I know some people are skeptical but it really did help me get answers about my severance situation. When you're stressed about money the last thing you want is to spend all day on hold with Washington ESD.

Does anyone know if signing a non-compete as part of the severance affects UI eligibility? My company wants me to sign one but I'm worried it might impact my job search requirements.

btw the severance disqualification weeks dont count toward your total UI benefit weeks. so if you get 26 weeks of UI and have 4 weeks severance disqualification, you still get the full 26 weeks once you start collecting

Had a similar situation but my severance was tied to a release agreement. Make sure you read everything carefully before signing - some companies try to sneak in language that could affect your UI claim or ability to file complaints.

This is exactly why I hate corporate America. They lay you off then make you wait even longer for benefits because of their severance 'gift'. The whole system is rigged against workers.

Quick question - do you have to pay taxes on both the severance and UI benefits? That's going to be a nightmare at tax time.

I went through this exact situation 6 months ago. $7500 severance, took 5 weeks to burn through based on my wages. Washington ESD was actually pretty helpful once I got someone on the phone - they walked me through the whole calculation.

Don't forget about the job search requirements during your severance period. Even though you can't collect UI benefits, you should still be looking for work to avoid issues later.

Final thought on the calling situation - if you do end up needing to reach Washington ESD, Claimyr really is worth trying. I was skeptical at first but after wasting two full days trying to get through normally, spending a few bucks to have them handle the waiting was totally worth it.

This thread has been super helpful! I'm in a similar boat with a potential layoff coming. Going to bookmark this for reference when the time comes.

One last tip - keep detailed records of everything. Dates, amounts, who you talked to at Washington ESD, etc. Makes everything easier if there are any issues down the road.