Can you collect unemployment and social security at the same time in Washington state?

Yes, you absolutely CAN collect both unemployment and Social Security in Washington state! There's no law preventing it. When you file your weekly claim with Washington ESD, you'll need to report your Social Security benefits as 'other income' but it won't disqualify you from unemployment. The key is being able and available for work, which you can be even while collecting Social Security.

Your neighbor is wrong. I collected both for 6 months last year after my company downsized. Washington ESD doesn't consider Social Security as wages that would reduce your UI benefits. Just be prepared that getting through to someone at Washington ESD to confirm this can be really tough with their phone system.

I had the same question when I was laid off at 64. Found out about Claimyr (claimyr.com) when I couldn't get through to Washington ESD to confirm this. They helped me reach an agent who explained the whole process. There's even a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made the whole thing so much easier than trying to call for hours.

wait so social security doesn't count as income that reduces UI benefits? that seems weird to me

I'm in a similar situation but I'm 67 and collecting full Social Security. The Washington ESD website says you have to be able and available for work to collect unemployment. At my age, are they going to question whether I'm really looking for work or just trying to double-dip on benefits?

This is confusing because I thought ANY other income would reduce unemployment benefits. So pension income wouldn't reduce it either?

For anyone trying to reach Washington ESD about this, good luck with their phone system. I spent literally 4 hours on hold last week trying to get clarification on my claim status. The automated system hung up on me three times.

Just to add another data point - I collected both unemployment and Social Security disability for a few months in 2024. Different type of Social Security but same principle - Washington ESD allowed both as long as I could still work.

The key thing everyone's missing is that you still have to do job searches while collecting both. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week regardless of what other benefits you're getting.

this whole system is so confusing... why can't they just have clear information about what income affects benefits and what doesn't??

Has anyone had issues with the tax implications of collecting both? I'm worried about owing a bunch at tax time.

I tried calling Washington ESD about this exact question last month and finally gave up after getting disconnected 5 times. Ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned and actually got through to talk to someone. They confirmed you can collect both and helped me understand the reporting requirements.

Important reminder that you have to report ALL income on your weekly claims, including Social Security. Even though it doesn't reduce your benefits, failing to report it could be considered fraud.

My sister is in this exact situation and she's been successfully collecting both for 4 months now. No issues at all as long as she files her weekly claims and does her job searches.

For what it's worth, I work with a lot of older clients in similar situations and Washington state is pretty reasonable about allowing both benefits. Just make sure you understand the work search requirements and report income accurately.

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who answered! This thread was super helpful. I'm going to file my unemployment claim this week and report my Social Security as other income. Feeling much more confident about the process now.

Just wanted to add that I went through this exact same situation last year at age 65. I was collecting Social Security and got laid off from my retail job after 20 years. I was so worried about losing my Social Security if I filed for unemployment, but it turns out there's absolutely no conflict between the two programs. Washington ESD processed my claim normally and I collected both benefits for about 5 months until I found a new part-time job. The only thing I had to be careful about was making sure I reported my Social Security income on every weekly claim - but like others said, it didn't reduce my unemployment benefits at all. Sofia, don't let your neighbor's confusion stop you from filing! You've earned both benefits and you're entitled to collect them while you look for work.

I'm 62 and was just wondering about this same thing! My husband keeps saying I should wait to file for unemployment until after I stop getting Social Security, but from reading all these responses it sounds like he's wrong too. It's amazing how much bad information gets passed around about these programs. I've been hesitant to file because I thought I'd have to choose one or the other, but now I'm realizing I've probably been missing out on benefits I'm entitled to. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so much more helpful than trying to navigate the Washington ESD website or sitting on hold for hours!

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now! I'm 64 and have been collecting Social Security for about a year, then my company announced layoffs last month. I was so confused about whether I could file for unemployment because everyone seems to have different opinions about it. After reading through all these responses, I feel so much better about moving forward with my claim. It's really frustrating how much misinformation is out there - even some of the HR people at my company weren't sure about the rules. I'm grateful for communities like this where people share their actual experiences instead of just guessing. Planning to file my claim tomorrow and make sure I report my Social Security income properly. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories!

I'm 61 and went through this exact situation about 8 months ago when my position was eliminated due to company restructuring. I had started collecting early Social Security at 62 (I know, I'm doing the math wrong but that's what I meant to say - started at 60), and like you, I was getting conflicting advice from everyone about whether I could file for unemployment. The good news is that Washington state absolutely allows you to collect both! I successfully collected unemployment benefits for about 14 weeks while also receiving my Social Security payments. The key things to remember: 1) You must report your Social Security as "other income" on every weekly claim, but it won't reduce your unemployment benefit amount, 2) You still need to meet all the regular unemployment requirements - able and available for work, actively job searching, etc., and 3) Keep detailed records of your job search activities because Washington ESD does audit these. Don't let misinformation from well-meaning neighbors cost you benefits you've earned and are entitled to. The application process was straightforward, and I never had any issues with the state questioning my eligibility due to my Social Security benefits. Hope this helps give you confidence to move forward with your claim!

I'm 65 and went through this same situation about 6 months ago when my department got eliminated. Like many of you, I was getting mixed messages from family and friends about whether I could collect both Social Security and unemployment. After reading through Washington ESD's guidelines and talking to an actual representative (took forever to get through!), I can confirm you absolutely CAN collect both. The important thing is being completely transparent - report your Social Security income on every weekly claim, but it won't reduce your unemployment benefits. I collected both for about 3 months before finding a new position. Sofia, your neighbor is well-meaning but incorrect - don't let that stop you from filing for benefits you've earned!

I'm 66 and just went through this exact process after being laid off from my warehouse job last month. Had the same concerns about collecting both Social Security and unemployment, but Washington ESD made it very clear during my phone interview (yes, I actually got through!) that there's no conflict between the two programs. The representative explained that Social Security is considered retirement income, not wages, so it doesn't impact your unemployment eligibility or benefit amount. I've been successfully collecting both for about 6 weeks now. The key is just being upfront about your Social Security when you file your weekly claims - there's a specific section for "other income" where you report it. Don't let family or friends scare you away from benefits you've earned! The extra financial support while job hunting at our age is really important, especially with how competitive the job market can be for older workers.

I'm 64 and was in almost this exact same situation about a year ago when my manufacturing job ended after 18 years. I was so worried about the Social Security/unemployment conflict too! Turns out Washington state makes it really straightforward - you can absolutely collect both. The only "gotcha" I discovered was that you need to be really diligent about your weekly job search activities. At our age, it's easy to get discouraged and maybe slack off on the 3 required activities per week, but Washington ESD does check up on this. I used WorkSourceWA to track everything and made sure to apply to jobs, attend virtual job fairs, and do skills assessments regularly. Collected both benefits for about 4 months until I found a good part-time position that worked with my Social Security. The peace of mind of having both income streams during the job search was huge. Don't let your neighbor's confusion hold you back - you've earned these benefits!