Can you claim unemployment if you get severance from Washington ESD?

Yes, you can typically claim unemployment even with severance, but it depends on how the severance is structured. Washington ESD treats lump sum severance differently than periodic payments. If it's a lump sum, they usually won't count it as weekly income against your benefits.

I went through this exact situation last year. Got a $12K severance and was still able to collect UI benefits. The key thing is making sure your employer codes the separation correctly as a layoff, not a voluntary resignation.

wait i thought any severance money disqualifies you from unemployment?? this is confusing

The Washington ESD will look at whether the severance is considered 'wages' or 'dismissal pay.' If it's dismissal pay (which most lump sum severances are), it typically won't affect your weekly benefit amount. However, if it's structured as continuation of wages, that could impact your eligibility timing.

I'm dealing with this nightmare right now. My severance is being paid out over 4 months and Washington ESD is saying it counts as wages for those weeks. So I can't collect unemployment until the severance period ends. It's ridiculous!

Just be prepared for potential delays in processing. Any time there's severance involved, Washington ESD tends to put claims into adjudication to review the details. Mine took 5 weeks to get approved.

Pro tip: make sure you have all your severance documentation ready when you file your claim. Employment contract, separation agreement, anything that explains the payment structure. This can help avoid delays.

does the amount of severance matter? like if its a really big amount does that change things?

Washington ESD's website has a section about severance pay and unemployment benefits. Worth reading through before you file to understand all the nuances.

One thing to consider is the tax implications too. Severance is taxable income, and so are unemployment benefits. Make sure you're setting aside money for taxes on both.

My advice is to file your unemployment claim as soon as you're eligible, even if you're not 100% sure about the severance impact. Washington ESD will review it and let you know. It's better to have the claim in the system than to wait and potentially lose out on benefits.

Another thing - if your claim does get complicated because of the severance, don't spend hours on hold trying to reach Washington ESD. I used Claimyr after my friend recommended it and got through to an agent in minutes instead of hours. Way less stressful than the regular phone system.

I had a severance situation and Washington ESD initially denied my claim, but I appealed and won. The key was showing that the severance was truly dismissal pay and not continued wages. Don't give up if you get an initial denial.

Make sure you understand your company's severance policy too. Some companies try to make you sign agreements that could affect your unemployment eligibility. Read everything carefully before signing.

been there, the waiting and uncertainty is the worst part. but in my experience washington esd is generally fair about severance situations once they review everything properly

Document everything! Keep copies of all severance agreements, email communications about the layoff, and any other relevant paperwork. You never know what Washington ESD might ask for during their review.

The good news is that if you do qualify for unemployment benefits, the severance gives you a bit of a financial cushion while you're job searching. It takes some pressure off the situation.

One last thing - make sure you're still meeting all the other unemployment requirements like job search activities, even if your claim is under review because of the severance. You don't want to lose benefits later because you weren't looking for work.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! This thread has been really educational. I feel much more confident about navigating this situation now.

Good luck with your claim! Remember that most severance situations do work out fine with unemployment benefits, so try not to stress too much about it.