Do you get Washington ESD unemployment if you get severance pay?

That's good to hear! Do you know if they count the severance as income week by week or just as a lump sum?

It depends on how your employer structured it. If it's paid out over time, Washington ESD usually counts it week by week. If it's a lump sum, they typically don't reduce your weekly benefits.

How long did it take for your claim to get processed? I'm worried about delays.

Mine took about 3 weeks because it went into adjudication. They needed to verify the severance details with my former employer.

How much does something like that cost? Seems like we shouldn't have to pay extra just to talk to Washington ESD.

I get the frustration, but honestly it was worth it for me. The peace of mind knowing I could actually get answers about my claim was huge. Plus they don't ask for any personal info which I appreciated.

Might be worth looking into if I can't get through myself. Thanks for the suggestion!

Mine is being paid as a lump sum next week, so I should be okay to file right after my last day of work?

Yes, lump sum severance typically doesn't interfere with your weekly benefit amount. Just make sure to report it accurately when you file.

Unfortunately some HR departments don't know the Washington ESD rules very well. Severance generally doesn't disqualify you from unemployment benefits.

that's what i was hoping to hear. going to file my claim tomorrow then

Good point! I do have a non-compete but it's only for direct competitors. Should still be able to search for other positions.

Right, as long as you can demonstrate you're available for work and actively searching, the non-compete shouldn't be an issue for your UI claim.

Don't stress too much! Washington ESD actually wants you to report all income accurately. Being honest about your severance won't hurt your claim.

Thanks, I really needed to hear that. Going to file this weekend.

If you have specific questions about reporting your severance, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier could help you talk to an Washington ESD agent directly. Sometimes it's reassuring to get official confirmation.

Do you remember which section of their website? I've been looking but it's hard to navigate.

I think it was under the 'Eligibility Requirements' section, but honestly their site is pretty confusing to navigate.

Good to know! I want to make sure I don't accidentally trigger any red flags.

Exactly right. Consistency in your weekly claim reporting is key to avoiding delays or adjudication issues.

Vacation payout is usually treated similarly to severance - it typically doesn't disqualify you from benefits but should be reported when you file.

ok cool, so i should report both the severance and vacation payout amounts when i file my claim

What kind of documentation do they usually want for severance situations?

Usually just your severance agreement or a letter from HR explaining the terms. Sometimes they want pay stubs showing your final payments.

I should probably save copies of everything from my employer then, just in case.

That makes sense. Better to get the claim started and sort out any issues than to wait and potentially miss out.

Agree with this completely. The sooner you file, the sooner your claim can be processed and you can start receiving benefits if eligible.

Good to hear another positive experience with that. I'm definitely keeping it as a backup option if I can't get through on my own.

Yeah, I'm probably going to try it too. The thought of sitting on hold for hours is just too stressful right now.

So I should keep filing weekly claims even if I'm not receiving benefit payments during the severance period?

Exactly! This maintains your claim status and ensures continuous coverage. Just report your severance income accurately on each weekly claim.

Thank you so much everyone! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident about filing my claim now.

Good luck with your claim! Don't hesitate to ask if you run into any other questions during the process.