How do you end unemployment benefits in Washington - stop filing weekly claims?

Congratulations on the new job! You'll want to file one final weekly claim for any days you were unemployed during that benefit week, then simply stop filing after that. Washington ESD doesn't require you to formally 'close' your claim - it will automatically become inactive when you stop filing weekly claims.

Make sure you report any wages you earn on your final claim if you work any hours during that benefit week. Even part-time work needs to be reported to avoid overpayment issues later.

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions about my final claim last year. If you need to talk to someone about your specific situation, I found claimyr.com really helpful - they can get you connected to an actual ESD agent without the usual phone hassles. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

dont overthink it just stop filing when you start working full time. the system will figure it out

Important reminder: your claim remains open for a full year from when you first filed, even if you stop filing weekly claims. So if you lose this new job within that year, you can restart filing without having to file a completely new claim. Just resume your weekly filings.

I'm so paranoid about messing up unemployment stuff. What if I accidentally file a claim after I start working? Can I cancel it or fix it?

Congratulations on finding work! The job market has been brutal lately. What industry did you find something in?

Pro tip: take screenshots of your final claim submission and keep records of when you stopped filing, just in case there are any questions later. Washington ESD's system can be glitchy sometimes.

Do you have to pay back unemployment if you start working? I'm confused about when you have to pay stuff back.

The Washington ESD website has a section about this under 'Returning to Work' if you want the official information. But yeah, basically just stop filing when you're working full time.

Washington ESD is so confusing sometimes. I've been on unemployment three different times and every time I learn something new about how it works.

Just went through this myself last month. Filed my last claim on a Sunday for the partial week, started my new job on Tuesday, never filed again. No issues at all. Washington ESD automatically shows your claim as inactive after a few weeks of not filing.

MAKE SURE you don't have any pending issues on your claim before you stop filing! I had a stupid verification thing pending that I didn't know about and it caused problems later when I tried to reopen my claim.

Don't forget about your job search log if you've been keeping one. You probably don't need to maintain it after you start working full time, but keep your records in case there are ever questions about your past claims.

Honestly the fact that you're asking these questions shows you're being responsible about it. Most people just wing it and hope for the best lol

Just wanted to add that if you're ever unsure about whether you should file a claim for a particular week, it's better to file and report your work/wages accurately than to skip filing altogether. Washington ESD can always adjust your benefit amount based on what you report, but they can't pay you for weeks you didn't claim. Since you're starting Monday, you'll definitely want to file for those first few days of unemployment in that week like others mentioned. Best of luck with the new job!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if your new employer offers direct deposit, make sure to set that up quickly so you don't have any gap in income. Also, if you've been having taxes withheld from your unemployment benefits, remember that you'll need to account for that when you file your taxes next year. The unemployment income is still taxable even though you're now working. Good luck with the new position!

Congratulations on the new job! Just to add one more practical tip - when you file that final weekly claim, double-check that you're selecting the correct dates for when you were actually unemployed during that week. The system can be picky about the date ranges, and you want to make sure you're only claiming benefits for the days before you started work. Also, keep an eye on your bank account for the next week or two to make sure you don't receive any unexpected payments after you stop filing. If anything looks off, contact ESD right away. Wishing you all the best in your new position!

Just to add another layer of reassurance - I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago when I landed a new job. Filed my final claim for the partial week I was unemployed, reported it accurately, and then simply stopped filing. No issues whatsoever. The key things that worked for me: 1) Made sure I had no pending issues on my account before stopping, 2) Kept detailed records of my final claim submission, and 3) Monitored my account for a few weeks to make sure everything looked normal. Washington ESD's system handled the transition smoothly once I stopped filing weekly claims. Congrats on the new job - you're doing all the right things by asking these questions upfront!

Just want to echo what others have said - you're being really smart to ask about this upfront! I made the mistake of just stopping cold turkey when I got my last job without filing for my partial week, and I left about $200 on the table that I was legitimately entitled to. Washington ESD won't retroactively pay you for weeks you didn't claim, so definitely file for any days you were unemployed in that final week. Also, since you mentioned your last day of work search was yesterday, make sure you report that accurately on your final claim too. The system tracks work search requirements right up until you're employed full-time. Best of luck with the new position - sounds like you're handling this transition exactly right!