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

That's such a relief to hear! Did you have any problems when you applied for unemployment? I'm worried they'll ask about my social security income.

Nope, no problems at all. Just make sure you report your social security income when they ask about other income sources on your weekly claims.

That's such a relief to hear! Do I need to report my Social Security income when I file my weekly claims with Washington ESD?

No, you don't need to report Social Security retirement benefits on your weekly claims. Only report wages from actual work.

How long did it take for your claim to get approved? I'm worried about the adjudication process taking forever.

Mine took about 2 weeks, but I had a pretty straightforward case. No issues with my last employer or anything complicated.

Good point. I'm definitely planning to work until I'm at least 67, so I'm genuinely looking for another job. Should I mention this in my application?

Yes, definitely emphasize your availability and willingness to work in your application. Keep good records of your job search activities too.

Your neighbor is thinking of the social security earnings test, which only applies to WORK earnings, not unemployment benefits. Unemployment doesn't count as earnings for social security purposes.

Oh that makes sense, thanks for clarifying that!

How does that work exactly? I'm always skeptical of third-party services for government stuff.

It's legit - they basically handle the calling process for you so you don't have to sit on hold for hours. Really saved me a lot of frustration when I needed to talk to someone about my specific situation.

How did you manage to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD? I've been trying to call for days and keep getting busy signals or disconnected.

I used a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual person. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. Saved me hours of frustration trying to call on my own.

Social Security retirement benefits are different from other government benefits. They're based on your work history and contributions, not need-based assistance.

oh ok that makes sense i guess. so its not like welfare or food stamps

Good point about the job search requirements. Do they have any special considerations for older workers like us?

The job search requirements are the same regardless of age. You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities. WorkSourceWA.com has resources specifically for older workers though.

Thanks for mentioning that! I hadn't thought about what happens when I do find a new job.

Yeah it's important to plan ahead. Once you find work, your unemployment stops obviously, but you want to make sure the new job doesn't push you over the social security earnings limit.

No, unemployment benefits won't affect your Social Security retirement benefits at all. They're completely separate systems.

I totally understand the frustration, but don't give up! It's worth taking the time to understand your options. You might be leaving money on the table by retiring early.

You're probably right. I just wish there was somewhere to get clear answers about all this stuff.

Consider meeting with a financial advisor or contacting SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) - they help with Medicare and related retirement planning questions for free.

Adjudication delays are pretty common right now, and it's usually not related to your social security income. Most likely they're just verifying your work history or separation reason.

I hope you're right. The waiting is killing me financially.

If you need to check on your adjudication status, that's another situation where Claimyr really helped me. I was able to get through to someone who explained exactly what they were reviewing and gave me a timeline.

No, the amount of your social security doesn't affect your unemployment eligibility at all. Washington ESD determines your benefit amount based on your work history and wages, not on other income you might have.

That's good to know, thanks!

That's a completely different situation. If you're receiving SSDI (disability), you generally can't collect unemployment because unemployment requires that you be able and available for work, which conflicts with being disabled.

Ah okay, that makes sense. Good thing I'm just on regular retirement social security then.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Makes me feel much better about applying.

You'll be fine. Just remember to keep doing your weekly claims on time and report everything accurately.

That's a good point about age discrimination. Did you have any trouble finding suitable work to apply for?

It was challenging, but I focused on part-time positions and contract work that valued experience. Eventually found something that worked.

Same experience here! I've probably wasted 20+ hours trying to get through to someone. It's ridiculous.

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. I was spending entire days trying to get through and getting nowhere. Now I can actually reach a real person when I need help.

I might have to look into that service. This is too stressful to deal with on my own.

How many jobs do I need to apply for each week? I know there's a minimum requirement.

It's 3 job search activities per week minimum, but applying for jobs is just one type of activity. Networking, attending job fairs, etc. also count.

I looked at their website but it's not super clear about the Social Security situation specifically. That's why I asked here.

Yes, both are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your unemployment benefits, which I'd recommend if you're getting both. Otherwise you might owe a lot at tax time.

Good point about the withholding. I'll make sure to set that up.

That's encouraging! Did you have any issues during the adjudication process?

No issues at all. I think being upfront about everything from the start helped avoid any complications.

Definitely worth applying! Even if he's getting social security, unemployment benefits can provide significant additional income while he looks for work. Why leave money on the table?

True, every bit helps. I'll tell him to go ahead and apply.

Right, I know about the earnings test for Social Security. That's actually part of why I want to find part-time work rather than full-time.

How much does something like that cost? I'm on a tight budget with just Social Security and unemployment.

It's really reasonable considering how much time and frustration it saves. Way better than spending hours trying to get through on your own.

I feel you on that frustration, but at least Washington state does allow us to collect both. Some states make it much harder.

You don't report Social Security retirement benefits anywhere in the Washington ESD system. Only report actual wages from work.

Perfect, thanks for clarifying that!

Yes, unemployment benefits are fully taxable as income. Social Security may or may not be taxable depending on your total income. You should consult a tax professional about your specific situation.

Yeah, there's definitely not a lot of clear information out there about this situation. I'm glad I asked here!

Good to hear multiple people confirming it works. I might try it if I run into issues with my claim.

Definitely will do. I've already started a spreadsheet to track everything.

Smart approach! That'll make your life much easier if they ever audit your claim.

You're welcome! Good luck with your claim and job search. Feel free to ask if you have more questions.

This thread has been incredibly helpful. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their experiences.

I totally understand that fear, but the process is more straightforward than it seems. The Washington ESD website walks you through everything step by step.

I guess I just need to bite the bullet and start the application. Thanks for the encouragement.

Good reminder! I definitely don't want to get in trouble for doing something wrong.

Exactly. Better to be overly cautious than to accidentally commit fraud.

No, Washington state does not reduce unemployment benefits based on social security income. Some states do, but Washington doesn't. Your unemployment amount is based solely on your previous work wages.

That's a relief! Thanks for the clarification.

Thanks for sharing! All these positive experiences are really reassuring.

Happy to help. Good luck with your application!

Good suggestion! I hadn't thought about other assistance programs.

211 is a great resource - just dial 2-1-1 and they can connect you with local assistance programs.