Does unemployment come out of your paycheck - Washington ESD deductions?

That makes sense! So I've been earning these benefits without even knowing it was happening behind the scenes.

exactly, it's like workers comp - employer pays the premium but you get the benefit if needed

Wait so some employers pay more than others? That seems unfair to the employers.

It incentivizes employers to avoid unnecessary layoffs. Companies that rarely lay people off get lower rates.

That's actually pretty smart - makes employers think twice about cutting jobs unnecessarily.

Oh yeah I do see that FML line on my paystubs! But that's different from regular unemployment right?

Right, FML is for when you need time off for family or medical reasons. Regular unemployment is when you lose your job.

Is that legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days about my claim status.

Yeah I used it last month at claimyr.com when I couldn't get through. They got me connected to an actual person in like 20 minutes.

Good point! I'm W-2 so I should be covered, but that's important for freelancers to know.

Self-employed can now voluntarily pay into the system in Washington, but it's a newer option that not many people know about.

same! I used to think the government just magically had money for unemployment lol

It's actually a pretty well-designed system - employers fund it, workers earn it through employment, and it provides a safety net when needed.

So there's actually two different unemployment taxes my employer pays? That's more complex than I thought.

Federal covers administrative costs and provides loans to states during high unemployment periods. State covers the actual benefit payments.

That's exactly how I'm feeling right now. Like I earned these benefits through my work even though I didn't directly pay for them.

you did earn them! your employer was paying based on your wages so it's definitely connected to your work

Unless you're dealing with adjudication hell like half the people on this forum... then it doesn't matter how well funded it is if you can't get your claim processed

Fair point - the funding is solid but the administration has definitely had challenges, especially with the increased volume in recent years.

Your benefits shouldn't be affected. Washington ESD tracks employer payments and can pursue collection from employers who don't pay, but your earned benefits are protected.

That's reassuring! I was worried I'd be left hanging if my company went under.

Thanks for the insider perspective! It's helpful to hear from someone who actually processes these payments.

Do you know if there's a minimum amount an employer has to pay in before an employee qualifies for benefits?

It's based on the employee's earnings over their base period, not a specific amount the employer paid in taxes. You need sufficient wages in your base period to qualify.

Exactly! It's not welfare or charity - it's insurance that I earned through my employment.

wish more people understood this instead of stigmatizing unemployment benefits

A couple people have mentioned that service now. Might be worth trying if I run into issues with my claim.

I was skeptical at first but honestly anything is better than sitting on hold for hours just to get disconnected

Makes sense as a system design. Self-funding and self-regulating to some extent.

would be even more brilliant if they could answer their phones and process claims faster...

Good distinction! I do see SSDI on my paystubs but that's for disability benefits, not unemployment.

yeah totally different programs with different funding sources and purposes

No question is dumb when it comes to understanding your benefits! Glad this helped you too.

same here - always assumed it came out of my check somewhere and I just missed it

Good to know! I'll keep that in mind if I need to speak with someone about my claim status.

How much does it cost? I'm on a tight budget while waiting for my benefits.

Worth checking their site at claimyr.com - they focus on getting you connected rather than making it expensive to use.

Interesting! I'm not that curious about the exact amounts, but it's good to know the info exists somewhere.

Thanks for that perspective! It really helps to think of it as insurance I earned rather than assistance I'm asking for.

exactly - you worked, your employer paid the premiums, now you're collecting the benefits when you need them. that's how insurance works

Thank you! This whole thread has been super educational. I feel much more confident about my claim now that I understand the system better.