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

Yes, you can collect both in Washington state! Social security and unemployment are separate programs. The key thing is you still need to meet all the regular UI requirements - actively searching for work, able and available, etc. Your social security won't disqualify you from unemployment benefits.

Yes, you can collect both in Washington state! Social Security and unemployment are separate programs with different rules. Your Social Security won't affect your UI eligibility, but you do need to be able and available for work to qualify for unemployment benefits.

Yes, you can collect both in Washington state! Social Security doesn't count as disqualifying income for unemployment benefits. However, you still need to meet all the regular UI requirements - available for work, actively seeking employment, and filing your weekly claims. The key thing is that you have to be genuinely looking for work and able to accept a job if offered.

Just went through this exact situation last year. You can definitely collect both, but make sure you're actively looking for work and able to accept a job if offered. That's the key requirement for UI benefits.

I'm in a similar situation and have been collecting both for 6 months now with no issues. The only thing that tripped me up initially was making sure I was really available for full-time work. At 63, some employers might assume you're not serious about working, so you need to be extra diligent with your job search documentation.

I had trouble reaching Washington ESD to get clarification on this exact question. Kept getting busy signals and disconnected calls. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent who confirmed I could collect both. There's even a helpful video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Yes, you can collect both Social Security and unemployment benefits in Washington state. The key is that you have to be actively looking for work and available to work to qualify for UI benefits. Your Social Security won't affect your unemployment eligibility, but you do need to report the Social Security income when you file your weekly claims.

Yes, you can collect both in Washington! Social Security and unemployment benefits are separate programs and don't disqualify you from each other. Just make sure you're actively seeking work and meet all the other Washington ESD requirements for your weekly claims.

Yes, you can collect both unemployment and social security in Washington state. They're separate programs and one doesn't disqualify you from the other. You'll need to report your social security income when you file your weekly claims with Washington ESD, but it won't reduce your unemployment benefits dollar for dollar.

Yes, you can collect both Social Security and unemployment benefits in Washington state! There's no federal law that prevents you from receiving both. However, you need to meet all the regular UI eligibility requirements - available for work, actively seeking work, etc. The key thing is being able and available for full-time work.

My dad went through this exact same thing 2 years ago. He collected both without any issues. The key is being genuinely available for work - if you're not actively looking because you think you're too old, that could be a problem with Washington ESD.

Wait, I thought there was some kind of offset? My neighbor told me her unemployment got reduced because of her Social Security. Maybe that's a different state though?

Wait, I thought if you're getting any kind of retirement benefits you can't get unemployment? This is confusing.

Be careful though - if you're collecting Social Security disability instead of regular retirement, that might be different. Disability benefits could conflict with the 'able and available for work' requirement for unemployment.

My dad was in this situation and collected both for about 6 months until he found another job. No issues at all with Washington ESD.

Yes, you absolutely CAN collect both Social Security retirement benefits and unemployment benefits in Washington state. There's no rule preventing you from receiving both at the same time. The key thing is that you still have to meet all the regular unemployment requirements - you have to be able and available for work, actively searching for jobs, and all that.

Yes, you can collect both! Social Security retirement benefits don't count as disqualifying income for Washington ESD unemployment. I did this exact thing two years ago when I got laid off at 63. You just need to make sure you're still able and available for work, which is a requirement for UI benefits.

That's great news! Do I need to report my social security income when I file my weekly claims?

I'm in almost the exact same situation - 64 and collecting social security while looking for work. Been trying to get through to Washington ESD for two weeks to ask about this but their phone lines are always busy. So frustrating!

I was in almost the exact same situation last year! 62 years old, collecting early Social Security, got unemployment after being laid off. The tricky part is proving you're actually looking for work at our age - some employers discriminate even though they're not supposed to.

I was in the exact same situation last year! I'm 64 and was collecting Social Security when I got unemployment after being laid off. Washington ESD approved my claim no problem. Just make sure you can prove you're actively looking for work and available for full-time employment.

I'm in a similar boat - 65 and collecting both. Been doing it for 3 months now with no problems. Just make sure you report your Social Security income correctly on your weekly claims even though it doesn't reduce your UI benefits.

You can definitely collect both. I helped my dad navigate this last year when he got laid off at 65. The key thing is making sure you're still able and available for work - that's what Washington ESD really cares about for unemployment eligibility.

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions about this same situation. Kept getting busy signals for weeks. Finally used claimyr.com and got connected to an actual agent who confirmed I could collect both. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made the whole process so much easier than trying to call on my own.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of redial attempts.

Just make sure you understand that if you're collecting Social Security retirement benefits, you still need to meet all the regular UI requirements - able and available to work, actively seeking work, etc. The biggest issue I see people run into is when Washington ESD questions whether someone really wants to work if they're already getting retirement benefits.

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about this exact question. Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Game changer for getting answers about complex situations like yours.

The social security administration has specific rules about working while collecting benefits if you're under full retirement age. Since you're 63, you need to be aware of the earnings test. Your unemployment benefits might affect your social security if you find work.

I had issues reaching Washington ESD when I needed to clarify this exact question about Social Security and unemployment. Spent hours on hold trying to get through. Finally used claimyr.com to get connected to an actual agent who explained everything clearly. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works - saved me so much time and frustration.

The key thing to remember is that Social Security earnings limits don't apply to unemployment benefits. They're considered different types of income by Social Security Administration.

Hold up, this is more complicated than people are making it sound. While Washington state allows you to collect both, your unemployment benefits might be reduced depending on how much Social Security you're getting. It's not always dollar for dollar.

You should report it to be safe, but social security retirement benefits typically don't reduce your unemployment amount in Washington.

Actually, there's one thing to be careful about - if you're collecting Social Security DISABILITY benefits, that's different from retirement benefits. Disability benefits can potentially impact your UI eligibility because they might indicate you're not able to work. But regular Social Security retirement is fine.

wait so social security doesn't count as income for unemployment? that seems weird to me

Be careful though - if you're on Social Security DISABILITY (SSDI), that's different from regular Social Security retirement benefits. SSDI recipients usually can't work full-time, which would make you ineligible for unemployment since you have to be able and available for work.

Wait, I thought there was some kind of offset between Social Security and unemployment? My friend said her unemployment got reduced because of her Social Security.

this happened to my sister and she had no problems collecting both. just be honest about everything when you file your weekly claims with washington esd

One more thing - when I talked to the Washington ESD agent through Claimyr, they mentioned that you still need to meet all the regular UI requirements like job search activities. The Social Security doesn't change those obligations.

I went through this exact situation last year! Filed for unemployment while collecting Social Security and had no problems. The tricky part was getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about my specific case. Took me weeks of calling before I could talk to anyone.

wait i thought if you get social security you cant work?? how can you get unemployment then

The job search requirement is what trips up a lot of older workers. You still have to prove you're actively looking for work and available to accept suitable employment, even while collecting Social Security. Some people think being on Social Security means they don't have to look for work, but that's not true.

Make sure when you file your initial claim with Washington ESD that you accurately report your social security income. They'll ask about all sources of income and it's better to over-report than under-report.

been collecting both for 8 months now, no issues at all. just make sure you do your weekly claims on time and report everything honestly

Just be prepared for the job search requirements to be taken seriously even if you're collecting Social Security. I know someone who got disqualified because Washington ESD thought he wasn't genuinely looking for work due to his age and retirement income.

One thing to keep in mind - if you earn too much from a new job while collecting Social Security early retirement, it could affect your Social Security benefits. There's an earnings limit before they start reducing your SS payments.

This is confusing to me. If you're already getting social security why do you need unemployment too? Seems like double dipping to me.

my dad did this last year when he got let go at 64. he collected both for about 6 months until he found another job. no problems with washington esd

Be careful about the earnings test though. If you're under full retirement age and earn too much from work, it can reduce your Social Security benefits. But unemployment benefits themselves don't count as earnings.

When I tried to get through to Washington ESD to ask about this exact question, I spent HOURS on hold and kept getting disconnected. Super frustrating! I ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real person at Washington ESD within minutes. They have this demo video (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ) that shows how it works. The agent confirmed I could collect both benefits.

I've been dealing with this exact situation and it's been a nightmare. Not because of the eligibility - that part is fine - but because I couldn't get anyone at Washington ESD on the phone to confirm it. Finally used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and got through within 20 minutes. Worth every penny just for the peace of mind.

One thing to watch out for - if you're collecting social security disability instead of retirement, that's a different story. Disability has stricter rules about working and unemployment benefits.

Be prepared for extra paperwork and questions during your UI claim process. When I applied at 64 while getting Social Security, they made me do a phone interview to verify I was actually looking for work and available.

I'm 65 and went through this same thing when my company downsized. Collected both Social Security and UI for 4 months. Washington ESD never questioned it as long as I was actively looking for work.

This whole system is so confusing!! I'm 64 and got laid off last month and I have NO IDEA what I'm supposed to do. Can I get unemployment if I'm already getting social security disability too??

wait so if im getting disability social security can i also get unemployment?? or is that different

One thing to keep in mind - even though you CAN collect both, some states reduce unemployment benefits if you're getting Social Security. I don't think Washington does this, but double-check when you apply.

Make sure you understand the 'able and available' requirement. Even though you're getting Social Security, you still have to prove you can work full-time and are actively looking. Some people think being on Social Security means they don't have to job search as hard.

I'm 67 and collected both for about 8 months before finding a new job. No issues at all with Washington ESD. Just file your weekly claims honestly and keep up with the job search requirements.

The most important thing is to be honest on your application and weekly claims. Mention that you're receiving Social Security but emphasize that you're able and available for work. Many people successfully collect both - it's perfectly legal in Washington.

The good news is Washington state is pretty reasonable about this compared to some other places. Just be honest about your Social Security income and keep good records of your job search activities.

The Washington ESD website has a section about reporting other income when you file your weekly claims. It specifically mentions social security retirement benefits as something you need to report but that doesn't disqualify you.

Did he have any issues with the job search requirements at his age?

THE SYSTEM IS SO CONFUSING!!! Why can't they just make this stuff clear on their website? I've been stressed about this for weeks thinking I was doing something illegal.

One thing to watch out for - make sure you understand what 'suitable work' means at your age. Washington ESD can't force you to take just any minimum wage job if you have experience and skills, but you do have to be reasonable about your expectations.

wait can you work while on social security? i thought once you start collecting you cant work anymore

The hardest part for me wasn't the eligibility - it was actually getting someone at Washington ESD on the phone to ask questions! Their phone system is a nightmare. Took me weeks to get through until someone recommended that Claimyr service.

Also remember that your Social Security benefits won't be affected by collecting unemployment. Some people worry that getting UI will somehow impact their SS payments, but that's not how it works. They're completely separate systems.

ugh the whole system is so confusing. why cant they just have clear answers posted somewhere instead of making us guess

Just make sure you answer the weekly claim questions honestly about being able and available for work. That's really the only potential issue I can think of.

I'm going through this right now actually. Filed my initial claim 2 weeks ago and it's still under adjudication. I think they're reviewing it extra carefully because of the Social Security situation.

Another thing to consider - make sure you're meeting the job search requirements. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week. At 63, some employers might age discriminate (even though it's illegal), so document everything.

my mom is 65 and still working part time while getting social security. she says as long as youre over full retirement age you can earn as much as you want without it affecting your benefits

My dad was in this exact situation last year. He collected both for about 8 months until he found a new job. No problems at all with Washington ESD. The only thing that changed was his tax situation - he had to pay taxes on both the unemployment and Social Security.

Just to follow up on my earlier comment about claimyr - I ended up using them again when I had questions about my job search log. Really helped me understand what Washington ESD was looking for in terms of documentation. Saved me from potentially getting disqualified for inadequate job search.

One thing to watch out for - if you start collecting full Social Security retirement benefits instead of early retirement, that might change things. But at 63 with early retirement benefits, you should be fine to also collect unemployment.

Does anyone know if there's a difference between regular Social Security retirement and Social Security survivor benefits? My wife passed away and I'm getting survivor benefits.

The main thing is just being transparent with Washington ESD about all your income sources. They appreciate honesty and it prevents problems down the road.

Make sure you report your Social Security accurately on every weekly claim. Even small mistakes can cause problems down the road if they audit your claim later.

My neighbor went through this same thing last year. She said the hardest part was actually getting her claim approved because Washington ESD kept asking for more documentation about her social security benefits.

Quick question - do you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits if you're also getting Social Security?

not really, he just had to apply to jobs like everyone else. took longer to find something but that's normal for older workers

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about my own claim issues. The phone lines are absolutely terrible - I've been hung up on so many times I've lost count. Has anyone found a reliable way to actually talk to someone there?

Filed my claim online and it was pretty straightforward. Just be honest about all your income sources when they ask. The Washington ESD system will walk you through reporting your Social Security benefits.

Just want to add - make sure you're still meeting the job search requirements for UI. Some people think that because they're older and collecting Social Security they don't have to look for work as hard. That's not true - you still need to do your 3 job search activities per week.

Pro tip: when you file your initial claim, be very clear about your work history and availability. Don't let them think you're not serious about finding work just because you're on Social Security. I emphasized that I was laid off involuntarily and actively seeking employment.

The system is so confusing though!!! I'm 65 and got laid off 6 months ago and STILL don't understand half of what they're asking for on the weekly claims. Why can't they make this stuff easier to understand?

My dad was in this exact situation 2 years ago. He collected both without any problems for about 8 months until he found a new job. The key was staying active with his job search and being available for interviews even though he was getting Social Security.

WAIT this is important - if you're collecting social security BEFORE your full retirement age, there's an earnings limit. But unemployment benefits don't count toward that limit, only wages from actual work do.

I tried calling Washington ESD about this same question and couldn't get through. Might have to try that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier.

Been collecting both for 3 months now with no issues. Washington ESD has never questioned the combination. Just keep documenting your job search activities.

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They basically wait on hold for you and get you connected to an actual Washington ESD agent. Worked like a charm for me - finally got my adjudication issue resolved. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Does anyone know if there's a maximum age for collecting unemployment? I'm 66 and wondering if I'm too old to qualify.

Been there! I'm 65 and collected both for almost a year. The key things: 1) You must be able to work full-time, 2) You must actively job search, 3) Report Social Security as income but it won't reduce your UI benefits in Washington, 4) Keep detailed records of your job search activities.

Actually, going back to the phone issue - I really can't stress enough how much that Claimyr service helped me. I was spending hours every day trying to get through to Washington ESD and getting nowhere. With their help I was able to talk to someone and get all my questions answered about collecting both benefits.

my dad is in the same situation and hes been getting both for like 6 months now no problems at all

You definitely can collect both but make sure you understand the work search requirements. At 63, you might face age discrimination in hiring, but you still have to prove you're actively looking. Keep detailed records of every application and contact.

Does anyone know if the Social Security income affects how much unemployment you can get? Like is there a maximum total benefit amount?

Just remember you still need to be physically able to work and available for work. If you have health issues that limit your ability to work, that could affect your UI eligibility regardless of the Social Security situation.

The bottom line is that these are two completely separate programs with different funding sources and eligibility rules. No reason you can't qualify for both if you meet the requirements for each.

I tried to call Washington ESD about this same question three weeks ago and gave up after being on hold for 2 hours. Maybe I should try that Claimyr thing too.

One more thing - if you're working part-time while collecting both benefits, make sure you report ALL your earnings to both agencies. The earnings will reduce your UI benefits but shouldn't affect your Social Security retirement benefits unless you're under full retirement age.

this thread is super helpful! i was wondering the same thing for my mom who might get laid off soon. she's 66 and collecting social security already.

I wish I had known about Claimyr when I was going through this process. Spent literally days trying to get through to Washington ESD to ask this exact question. Finally got through and the agent confirmed what everyone here is saying - no problem collecting both.

Quick question - does the Social Security count toward the earnings you have to report on your weekly claim? I know it doesn't reduce benefits but wasn't sure about reporting.

Been collecting both for 6 months now. No issues whatsoever. The only annoying part is doing the weekly claims and job search stuff, but that's just part of getting UI benefits regardless of your age.

This whole thread has been so reassuring. I was literally losing sleep over whether I was allowed to collect both. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

Just to add another data point - I'm 67, collecting Social Security retirement, and have been on UI for 2 months. Washington ESD has never questioned it or given me any problems. File with confidence!

One last thing I'll add - when you do find a new job, make sure you stop filing your weekly claims right away. Some people think they can collect for a few more weeks during the transition, but that's not allowed.

This has been the most helpful thread I've read about this topic. I've been searching for weeks trying to get a clear answer about collecting both benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

Just wanted to add that if anyone else is reading this and in a similar situation, don't let anyone tell you that you can't collect both. It's perfectly legal in Washington state.

One last tip - when you file your initial unemployment claim, there might be a question about retirement income. Just answer honestly about your Social Security and you should be fine.

Just remember that if your claim gets held up in adjudication for any reason, don't panic. It's pretty common and usually resolves within a few weeks. I had mine delayed initially because they needed to verify my availability for work while on Social Security.

The Washington ESD website has some info about this too, but it's not super clear. Basically as long as you meet the regular unemployment requirements, Social Security doesn't disqualify you. Just don't expect their website to make it obvious!

so basically you can get unemployment and social security at the same time but not unemployment and disability? this is confusing as hell