Can you collect unemployment if you take a severance package - Washington ESD rules?

That makes sense, thanks! So I would still file my initial claim right away even with the severance?

Yes, file your claim as soon as you're laid off. Washington ESD needs to know about the severance when you file, and they'll calculate the delay period based on your weekly benefit amount.

Same problem here! The phone system is impossible. I ended up using Claimyr.com to get through to an actual agent. They have this video demo thing that shows you how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ - basically they call for you and get you connected to Washington ESD without the endless hold times.

That sounds too good to be true, but honestly at this point I'm desperate enough to try anything.

Interesting, I might need to look into that if I can't get answers about my severance situation.

Good point - I should ask HR about that. I think it's a lump sum but I'm not 100% sure.

Definitely clarify that. Lump sum severance is usually divided by your weekly benefit amount to determine how many weeks you'll be delayed. But if it's paid out weekly, each week's payment gets deducted from that week's UI benefit.

No, that's not right. Severance doesn't make you ineligible, it just creates a waiting period. Things like vacation payout or pension payments work differently though.

oh ok that's good to know, thanks for clarifying

Absolutely, I definitely plan to be transparent about everything. I just want to understand the process before I make the decision.

This is so important. I've seen people get in trouble for not reporting severance properly and then Washington ESD comes after them for overpayments later.

You should still file. Even with a 12-week delay, you'll want your claim established in case you don't find work right away. Plus Washington ESD needs time to process everything anyway.

Agreed. And remember you have to be actively job searching during the severance period anyway if you want to collect UI after it ends.

Good points, thanks. I didn't realize about the job search requirement during severance.

It depends on your weekly benefit amount. If the severance is less than your weekly UI benefit, it might not create a full week delay but could reduce that week's payment.

That makes sense, it's all about the ratio between the severance and weekly benefit amount.

I feel you. I spent hours on the Washington ESD website trying to figure out my severance situation and just got more confused.

That's exactly why I ended up using that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person who knows the rules instead of trying to decode the website.

Oh I didn't know that! So I need to be job searching even during the weeks I can't collect benefits?

Yes, if you want to be eligible for benefits after the severance period ends. The job search requirements don't pause just because you're in a severance delay.

This is really important info. I made the mistake of not job searching during my severance delay and had issues when I tried to start collecting later.

COBRA payments are separate from the severance calculation for UI purposes. Only the actual cash severance counts toward the delay period.

Good to know, thanks! That would have been another thing to worry about.

That's reassuring to hear! Did you have any issues with the calculation or did it work out like you expected?

It worked exactly as expected. They divided my severance amount by my weekly benefit amount and that's how many weeks I had to wait. No surprises.

Great point, I'll make sure to save everything from HR about the severance details.

Yes! And keep your final paystub too since that shows your last day of work vs when the severance was paid.

You can try, but most companies have standard severance policies. It's worth asking though, especially if the timing would work better for your situation.

Makes sense. Probably doesn't hurt to ask if they're flexible on the payment structure.

Good question. I don't think refusing a voluntary severance would affect UI eligibility since it's optional, but you'd want to document that it was truly voluntary.

That's another good point to consider. This decision has more angles than I initially thought!

I'd probably call Washington ESD to confirm that specific scenario just to be safe. Or use one of those callback services someone mentioned earlier.

Agreed! This has been super helpful in thinking through my decision. Really appreciate all the insights.

This thread should be pinned or something - such good info about severance and UI benefits!