Can you file for unemployment if you receive severance from Washington ESD?

You can file for unemployment right away even with severance. The key thing is HOW the severance is paid out. If it's a lump sum, it usually won't affect your weekly benefits. If it's paid out weekly like regular wages, it might reduce your weekly benefit amount. You definitely need to report it when you file your initial claim.

I went through this exact situation last year. Filed my claim immediately and reported the severance. Washington ESD was pretty good about explaining how it would affect my benefits. The important thing is to be honest about it upfront - don't try to hide it or you could get in trouble for overpayment later.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to get clarification on the severance issue, you might want to check out Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help people get through to ESD agents faster instead of waiting on hold for hours. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Might be worth it to get a quick answer about your specific severance situation.

The severance thing is tricky because it depends on your specific situation. Some employers structure severance to NOT interfere with unemployment, others don't. You really need to look at your severance agreement carefully and see exactly how it's worded. Sometimes there are conditions that could affect your eligibility.

wait so if I get severance I can still file for unemployment?? I thought it was one or the other! My company is doing layoffs next month and I was told I couldn't get both.

I'm dealing with something similar right now. Got 12 weeks severance but it's paid as a lump sum. Filed for unemployment immediately and so far no issues. The key is being transparent about everything when you file your claim.

The Washington ESD website actually has pretty good information about severance and unemployment. Check the FAQ section. But honestly their phone system is so backed up it's ridiculous. I spent 3 hours on hold yesterday just to ask one simple question.

Just want to add that if your severance includes continuation of health benefits, that's separate from the cash payments and won't affect your unemployment eligibility at all. Only the actual cash payments matter for Washington ESD calculations.

I made the mistake of not reporting my severance right away and ended up with an overpayment notice months later. It was a huge hassle to deal with. Definitely report it from the beginning even if you're not sure how it will affect your benefits.

Question - does it matter WHY you got severance? Like if you were laid off vs fired vs quit? I'm worried my situation might be different.

This is why I hate dealing with unemployment stuff. Everything is so complicated and confusing. Why can't they just make it simple?

Pro tip: when you file your weekly claims, they'll ask about any money you received that week. That's when you report your severance payments. Be consistent with what you reported on your initial claim.

I used Claimyr last month when I had questions about my claim status and it was totally worth it. Got connected to an agent in like 10 minutes instead of waiting hours. Might help you get specific answers about your severance situation.

Just remember that even if your severance reduces your weekly benefits to zero, you should still file your weekly claims. That way you maintain your eligibility for when the severance runs out.

The whole severance and unemployment thing is actually pretty straightforward once you understand the rules. The main thing is just being honest and reporting everything accurately. Washington ESD isn't trying to trip you up, they just need the correct information.

My brother went through this exact situation last year with a 6-week severance package. He filed for unemployment right away and everything worked out fine. The severance reduced his weekly benefits but he still got something each week.

One more thing to consider - some severance agreements have you sign away your right to file for unemployment. Make sure yours doesn't have that clause before you file. It's not super common but it happens.

Bottom line: file for unemployment, report your severance honestly, and don't stress too much about it. The system is designed to help people who are out of work, not to punish them for getting severance. You'll figure it out!