Can you get severance and unemployment benefits at the same time in Washington?
My company is doing layoffs next month and I'm going to receive a severance package of about $8,000. I'm wondering if I can still file for Washington ESD unemployment benefits while receiving this severance pay? I've heard conflicting information - some people say you can't get both, others say it depends on how the severance is structured. Does anyone know the actual rules for Washington state? I really need the unemployment benefits to cover my expenses since the severance won't last very long.
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Dylan Hughes
Yes, you can receive both in Washington, but there are specific rules about how severance affects your weekly benefit amount. The key is whether the severance is considered wages or a gift. If it's structured as continuation of salary, it might delay your benefits. If it's a lump sum severance payment, it usually doesn't affect your weekly claims.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•Thanks! It's being paid as a lump sum, not continued salary. So I should be able to file right away after my last day?
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Dylan Hughes
•Exactly! Just make sure to report it when you file your initial claim. Washington ESD needs to know about all income, but lump sum severance typically doesn't reduce your weekly benefit amount.
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NightOwl42
I went through this exact situation last year. Got a $12,000 severance and was still approved for full unemployment benefits. The important thing is being honest about it on your application.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•That's reassuring! Did you have any issues with the adjudication process because of the severance?
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NightOwl42
•Nope, it went through without any delays. I think because I was upfront about it from the beginning.
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Sofia Rodriguez
Actually, I had a different experience. My severance was structured as salary continuation for 3 months, and Washington ESD made me wait until that period ended before I could start collecting unemployment. It really depends on how your company structures the payment.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•Oh no, that's exactly what I was worried about. How do I find out how mine is structured?
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Sofia Rodriguez
•Check your severance agreement documents. It should specify whether it's a lump sum payment or salary continuation. If it says salary continuation, you might have to wait.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•This is where calling Washington ESD directly really helps. I used Claimyr.com to get through to an actual agent who explained exactly how my severance would affect my benefits. Way better than guessing! They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
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Ava Thompson
Wait, I'm confused. I thought any income disqualified you from unemployment? This is all so complicated!
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Dylan Hughes
•Not all income disqualifies you. Severance is treated differently than regular wages. The Washington ESD website has a section about this, but it's pretty confusing to navigate.
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Ava Thompson
•Yeah, I've tried reading their website and it's like they write it in a different language sometimes.
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Miguel Herrera
The system is so messed up. They make these rules intentionally confusing so people don't know what they're entitled to. It's all about saving money for the state.
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NightOwl42
•I mean, maybe, but in this case the rules actually favor the worker. Being able to get both severance and unemployment is a good thing.
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Miguel Herrera
•True, but only if you know about it and can navigate their system.
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Dmitry Ivanov
Here's what matters most: 1) Report the severance on your initial claim, 2) If it's a lump sum, you're usually good to go immediately, 3) If it's salary continuation, you may need to wait. Washington ESD considers the timing and structure of the payment, not just the fact that you received it.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•This is super helpful. I'm going to review my severance paperwork tonight to see exactly how it's worded.
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Zainab Ali
•Good advice! And definitely don't try to hide it - they'll find out anyway and that could cause bigger problems.
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Connor Murphy
I got a small severance of $2,000 and didn't even think about it affecting unemployment. Filed my claim and got approved without any issues. Maybe it depends on the amount too?
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Dylan Hughes
•The amount doesn't typically matter for eligibility, but the structure and timing do. Sounds like yours was handled as a lump sum separation payment.
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Connor Murphy
•Yeah, it was just a check for $2,000 on my last day. Nothing fancy.
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Yara Nassar
Does anyone know if vacation pay affects this differently than severance pay?
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Dylan Hughes
•Vacation pay is usually treated as wages, so it might delay your benefits depending on how much and when it's paid. Different rules than severance.
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Yara Nassar
•Good to know! I have both vacation pay and severance coming, so I better figure this out.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Definitely recommend calling Washington ESD for your specific situation. With multiple types of payments, you want to make sure you understand exactly how each one affects your claim timing.
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StarGazer101
Just want to add that if you're getting severance, make sure you understand when your health insurance ends. That's a separate issue but equally important when you're planning your transition.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•Good point! I hadn't even thought about that yet. So much to figure out when you're getting laid off.
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StarGazer101
•COBRA is expensive but sometimes necessary. Just another thing to budget for along with everything else.
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Keisha Jackson
My friend got severance and unemployment at the same time. She said the key was being completely honest about everything on her application. Washington ESD appreciated the transparency and processed her claim quickly.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•That seems to be the common theme - just be upfront about it all. I'll make sure to include everything when I file.
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Keisha Jackson
•Exactly! Trying to hide it or being unclear just creates problems later.
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Sofia Rodriguez
One more thing to consider - if your severance includes any stock options or deferred compensation, that might be treated differently too. Make sure you understand all components of your package.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•Mine is pretty straightforward - just cash severance. But good to know for anyone else reading this.
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Paolo Romano
•Stock options can be really tricky. I had to get an employment lawyer to help me understand how they affected my benefits.
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Dmitry Ivanov
Bottom line: you can usually get both, but the details matter. When in doubt, contact Washington ESD directly for your specific situation. I've found that using Claimyr makes it much easier to actually reach someone who can give you definitive answers rather than waiting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.
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Amina Diop
•How does Claimyr work exactly? I've never heard of it before.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents when you can't reach them through normal channels. Super helpful when you have specific questions like this severance situation.
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Oliver Schmidt
Just filed my claim last week with a $6,000 severance. Reported everything honestly and got approved within 5 days. No adjudication, no delays. Sometimes the system works like it's supposed to!
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•That's great to hear! Hopefully mine goes as smoothly.
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Oliver Schmidt
•I think being honest and having all your paperwork ready makes a big difference. Good luck!
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Natasha Volkov
Make sure you keep good records of everything - your severance agreement, final paycheck stub, any correspondence with HR. If there are any questions later, you'll want to have documentation ready.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•Great advice! I'm already starting a folder with all the layoff-related documents.
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Natasha Volkov
•Smart! Organization really helps when dealing with any government agency.
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Javier Torres
Does the non-compete clause in severance agreements affect unemployment eligibility at all?
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Dylan Hughes
•Non-compete clauses shouldn't directly affect your unemployment eligibility, but they could impact your job search requirements. Worth asking about when you file your claim.
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Javier Torres
•Makes sense. I have a 6-month non-compete so I was worried it might complicate things.
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Emma Wilson
Thanks for posting this question! I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been really helpful. Sounds like most people have positive experiences as long as they're honest about the severance.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•Glad it helped! I'm feeling much more confident about filing my claim now.
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Emma Wilson
•Same here. Good luck to both of us!
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QuantumLeap
One last tip - if you have questions about how to report your severance on the application, there's usually a help section or you can call the technical support line. Better to get it right the first time than have to correct it later.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•Perfect timing! I was just wondering about that. Thanks for all the helpful responses everyone.
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QuantumLeap
•You're welcome! This community is great for figuring out these confusing situations.
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Sofia Rodriguez
Final thought - remember that even if you can get both, you still need to actively search for work and meet all the other unemployment requirements. The severance doesn't change those obligations.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•Absolutely! I'm already working on updating my resume and LinkedIn profile. Thanks again everyone for all the great advice!
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Malik Johnson
•Good luck with your job search! Hope you find something great soon.
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