Can you collect severance and unemployment benefits in Washington state?

Do you know if they deduct it dollar for dollar or is there some kind of calculation?

It's not dollar for dollar. They have a formula based on your weekly benefit amount. You should definitely still apply though.

Did you have any trouble getting through to them to ask questions about it?

Oh yeah, calling Washington ESD was a nightmare. Kept getting busy signals or hung up on after waiting forever.

Mine is being paid out in weekly installments over 8 weeks. Does that make a difference?

Yes, that actually works better for you. Weekly severance payments are easier to calculate against your UI benefits than lump sums.

Is that like a paid service to help you call them? Seems weird to pay to call a government agency.

I was skeptical too but I was desperate. It actually worked and saved me from wasting more time trying to get through on my own.

Have you tried calling right when they open? I heard that might help.

tried that too, still busy signals. so frustrating when you need answers

This is really helpful info. I'm in a similar situation and was worried I couldn't file at all.

Definitely file! Even if your weekly benefit gets reduced, you might still be eligible for partial benefits.

Good point. I definitely don't want to get in trouble for not reporting something properly.

Yeah overpayment notices are a nightmare to deal with. Better to be upfront from the start.

That's close but not exactly right. Washington ESD uses a specific formula that considers your weekly benefit amount and the timing of when you receive the severance.

Thanks for the clarification! The rules are so confusing.

Was it worth it? I'm getting desperate trying to reach someone.

For me it was. Saved me from spending more hours on hold just to get hung up on again.

That's a good point. I'll file this week and just report the severance properly.

Exactly! Even if some weeks you don't get a payment because of the severance, you'll still be in the system and eligible once it ends.

The website is terrible for explaining these complex situations. That's why talking to an actual agent is so helpful.

Yeah if only you could actually get through to one!

Sorry to hear about the potential layoffs. At least you'll be prepared if it happens.

Thanks. Trying to plan ahead as much as possible.

Did you end up getting any overpayment issues from reporting it wrong initially?

Luckily no, but only because I was conservative and probably under-reported some weeks when I wasn't sure.

That's a really good point I hadn't thought about. I'll file this week.

Yeah, you want to get that claim date established even if you don't collect benefits right away.

That's a separate issue from the UI benefits, but you'd need to be careful about meeting the job search requirements if you have restrictions on where you can work.

Good point. I'll need to read my agreement more carefully.

Glad it helped! I feel much more confident about filing now.

same! good luck with your claim

Might have to try that myself. Getting tired of the phone runaround.

It's definitely worth it if you're stuck and need actual answers from someone who knows the system.

So I wouldn't lose those weeks completely? That's good to know.

Right, they still count as part of your claim period even if the payment is reduced to zero.

Mine is weekly payments that match my old salary. I assume that's salary continuation?

Sounds like it. That's usually easier to calculate against your UI benefits than a lump sum.

Good luck! Remember to keep good records of everything for your weekly claims.

You'll do fine. Just be honest about reporting everything and you should be good.

Feel free to ask if you run into any issues with the weekly claims process!