Can you get a severance package and unemployment benefits in Washington?

Yes, you can receive both in Washington, but there are some important details to know. Severance pay doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits, but it can affect the timing of when your benefits start. The key is how your severance is structured and paid out.

I went through this exact situation last year. Got a 8-week severance package and was able to collect unemployment after my last day of work. The key is being honest about the severance when you file your claim - don't try to hide it.

Be careful about this - I've heard different things. Some people say severance can make you ineligible for weeks. You should probably call Washington ESD directly to get the official answer for your specific situation.

this is confusing as hell. why does everything with unemployment have to be so complicated?? can't they just give a straight answer about whether you can get both or not

I'm an HR professional and deal with this regularly. In Washington, the general rule is that severance doesn't disqualify you from UI benefits, but the timing and structure matter. Here's what I typically tell employees: 1. Lump sum severance = usually no delay in benefits 2. Salary continuation = may delay benefits until the continuation period ends 3. Always report the severance when filing your claim 4. Keep all documentation from your employer about the severance terms

Whatever you do, don't lie about the severance on your UI application. They will find out and you could get in trouble for benefit fraud. Always be upfront about any money you're receiving.

I used Claimyr recently when I had questions about my claim status and it worked great. Instead of spending hours trying to get through, they connected me with an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. Really worth it if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your specific severance situation.

From what I understand, Washington is pretty generous with allowing both severance and unemployment. Some states are stricter about this, but Washington generally allows it as long as you're not still considered employed.

One thing to keep in mind is that your severance will count as income for tax purposes, so you might owe more taxes at the end of the year. But that's separate from your unemployment eligibility.

Make sure you understand exactly when your employment officially ends. Sometimes companies will keep you on payroll during the severance period, which could affect your UI eligibility timing.

i got severance and unemployment last year when my company closed. filed right after my last day and had no problems. just make sure to report everything honestly

The Washington ESD handbook has specific information about severance pay and unemployment benefits. I'd recommend reading through that section before you file your claim.

Don't forget that you still need to meet all the other UI requirements even if you're getting severance - like being able and available for work, actively job searching, etc.

If your company is doing mass layoffs, they might be required to give advance notice under the WARN Act. That could affect the timing of when you can file for unemployment.

I work in payroll and process severance payments regularly. The important thing is to get a clear written explanation of your severance terms from HR. You'll need this when you file your UI claim.

My advice is to file for unemployment as soon as possible after your termination date, even if you're unsure about the severance impact. You can always clarify details later, but you don't want to miss out on benefits you're entitled to.

Just went through this process myself. The Washington ESD website has a specific section about severance and unemployment that was really helpful. They also have examples of different scenarios.

If you do need to talk to someone at Washington ESD and can't get through, I had success using Claimyr. They basically wait on hold for you and then connect you when an agent becomes available. Saved me a lot of time and frustration.

The bottom line is that in Washington state, you can typically receive both severance and unemployment benefits. The key is being honest about your situation and understanding the specific terms of your severance package.