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Diego Vargas

How much does Washington ESD pay for unemployment benefits in 2025?

I'm about to file for unemployment for the first time and I'm trying to figure out what to expect for weekly payments. I've been working as a retail manager making about $52,000 annually. Does anyone know how Washington ESD calculates the weekly benefit amount? I heard it's based on your earnings but I can't find clear info on their website about the actual dollar amounts.

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount using your highest earning quarter from your base period. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999 plus a $25 dependency allowance if you have dependents. Your amount will be roughly 3.85% of your total wages during your highest quarter, but it can't exceed the maximum.

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Thanks! So if I made around $13,000 in my highest quarter, that would be about $500 per week?

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That sounds about right, maybe a bit less. The exact calculation can be tricky because they also look at your total base period wages.

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Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base year to calculate benefits. They take 1/26th of that amount for your weekly benefit. Maximum weekly benefit in 2025 is $999 per week. You'll also need to meet the minimum earnings requirement which is usually around $3,500 in your base year.

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Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $13,000, I'd get about $500 per week?

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That sounds about right, yes. Just remember you can collect for up to 26 weeks if you qualify for the full duration.

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Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your highest earning quarter from the last 18 months. The maximum weekly benefit amount for 2025 is $999, but most people get somewhere between 40-50% of their average weekly wages. With your income level you'll probably get close to the maximum.

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Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base period to calculate benefits. They take that amount and divide by 26 to get your weekly benefit amount. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999, and you need to have earned at least $3,500 in your base period to qualify.

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Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $13,000, I'd get about $500 per week?

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That's right, assuming you meet all the other requirements. You'll also need to file weekly claims and do job searches.

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Washington ESD uses your highest quarter earnings from your base period to calculate your weekly benefit amount. Generally it's around 3.85% of your highest quarter wages, but there's a minimum of $295 and maximum of $999 per week as of 2025. With $52k annual income, you'd probably get somewhere in the $400-500 range weekly.

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Thanks! That's really helpful. Do you know if they look at gross or net wages?

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It's based on gross wages reported by your employer, before taxes and deductions.

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Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file). They take that amount and divide by 26 to get your weekly benefit. The maximum for 2025 is $999 per week. So if your highest quarter was around $13,000, you'd get about $500 weekly.

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That's helpful! So if I made $52k last year, my highest quarter was probably around $14,000. That would put me at around $538 weekly then?

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Washington ESD uses your highest quarter earnings from the base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed). They take that quarter's wages, divide by 26, then you get about 50% of that amount weekly. The minimum is $295/week and maximum is $999/week as of 2025.

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Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $13,500, I'd get roughly $260 weekly? That seems low.

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Actually that would put you at the minimum of $295/week since your calculation came out below the floor amount. The minimum protects lower earners.

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Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base year to calculate benefits. They take that quarter's earnings, divide by 26, then multiply by about 0.385 to get your weekly benefit amount. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999 plus a $25 dependency allowance if you have dependents.

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So if my highest quarter was around $13,500, that would be about $200 per week? That seems lower than I expected.

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That sounds about right. Remember you can also get the extra $25 per week if you have qualifying dependents to claim on your UI application.

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The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator but it's buried somewhere in their system. I remember when I filed last year I was making $48k and got around $460 per week.

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Did you have trouble reaching anyone at Washington ESD to verify your benefit amount? I've been trying to call for days.

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I had the same problem with getting through to Washington ESD. Ended up using Claimyr.com to get connected to an actual agent. They have this video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way easier than sitting on hold for hours.

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Just to clarify the calculation - Washington ESD looks at your wages from the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at your wages from January 2024 through September 2024. The weekly benefit is about 1/26th of your wages in your highest earning quarter.

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That's really helpful! I was confused about which quarters they use.

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wait so if i just started a new job in december and got laid off in january they wouldnt count those wages??

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Correct, those December wages wouldn't be in your base period. You might want to wait to file until those wages would be included, or you could file now and then reopen your claim later when you'd qualify for a higher amount.

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Don't forget you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits too. Washington ESD will withhold federal taxes if you request it when you file your weekly claims.

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Good point, I hadn't thought about taxes. Do they automatically withhold or do I need to ask?

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You have to request it. There's an option when you file your weekly claim to have 10% withheld for federal taxes.

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i been getting $445 a week since november, was making about 65k before i got laid off. the calculation is confusing but thats what it worked out to

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That's actually pretty helpful to know a real example, thanks!

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the base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file, just fyi. washington esd looks at your wages from all employers during that time

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Good to know! I had two different jobs last year so I wasn't sure how that worked.

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Exactly right! And you'd be eligible for up to 26 weeks of benefits assuming you meet all the other requirements.

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If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check your benefit amount or get your claim processed, I'd suggest trying Claimyr. It's a service that helps you actually reach an agent - saved me hours of calling. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

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Never heard of that but honestly anything is better than the endless busy signals from Washington ESD

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Yeah exactly, I was getting nowhere with the regular phone system. Claimyr.com connects you when there's actually an agent available.

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Mei Lin

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Don't forget you can only collect benefits for 26 weeks maximum in Washington, unless there are extended benefits available. Also your benefit amount stays the same throughout your claim unless you have a new claim with different wages.

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26 weeks should hopefully be enough time to find something. The job market seems pretty tough right now though.

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Tell me about it, I've been looking for 3 months and still nothing decent

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JUST A WARNING - they will ask for documentation of your job search activities every week. You need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep detailed records. Don't slack on this or they'll disqualify you!

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What kind of documentation do they want exactly?

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Company name, contact info, position applied for, date, method of contact. Keep it all in a spreadsheet or use their WorkSourceWA system.

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i think theres also a waiting week now? like you dont get paid for the first week you file? someone told me that but not sure if its true

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No waiting week in Washington anymore. That was eliminated a few years ago. You get paid for the first week if you're eligible.

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oh good, thanks for clarifying that

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The calculation can be confusing but there's also a minimum benefit amount - I think it's around $295 per week for 2025. So even if your wages were low, you'd get at least that much if you qualify.

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That's helpful to know there's a floor. I should be well above that based on my salary.

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That's actually better than I expected! Do you know if there's a minimum amount too?

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Yes, the minimum weekly benefit amount is $295 for 2025. But with your salary history you won't be anywhere near that low.

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just filed last week and still waiting to hear back from washington esd about my benefit amount... the waiting is killing me

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The initial determination usually takes 1-2 weeks. You should get a letter in the mail and also see it in your SecureAccess Washington account.

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thanks, i keep checking my SAW account every day lol

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The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator tool but honestly it's not very user-friendly. What I found helpful was calling them directly to get my exact benefit amount calculated, but good luck getting through! I spent hours on hold trying to reach someone.

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Oh man, I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my adjudication status. The phone system is absolutely terrible - either busy signal or you wait forever and get disconnected.

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I actually discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to a Washington ESD agent. They handle the calling and waiting for you. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Game changer for me!

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Really? That sounds too good to be true. How does it actually work?

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I think there's also a dependency allowance if you have kids? Not sure how much that adds though

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Yes, Washington ESD provides an additional $25 per week for each dependent child under 18, up to 5 children maximum.

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If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about your specific benefit amount, I used claimyr.com recently. They help you get connected to an actual agent without waiting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way easier than trying to call during peak hours.

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How much does that service cost though? I'm already worried about money if I lose my job.

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It's worth it when you need to talk to someone urgently about your claim. Much better than spending hours on hold or getting disconnected.

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The calculation can be confusing but I found a way to get exact answers from Washington ESD directly. I used Claimyr.com to actually get through to a real person at Washington ESD who calculated my exact benefit amount over the phone. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Way easier than trying to figure out the math yourself.

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Interesting, I didn't know there was a service to help get through to them. The Washington ESD phone lines are always busy when I try calling.

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I've used Claimyr too and it actually worked. Got connected to Washington ESD within like 20 minutes instead of calling for hours.

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Just to clarify for anyone reading - the $999 maximum is for regular UI benefits. If you're on standby status or certain other programs, the amounts might be different. Also remember you'll need to file your weekly claims every week and meet job search requirements to keep getting paid.

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What are the job search requirements exactly? I keep seeing different information about how many jobs you need to apply for.

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You need to make at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, or networking activities. Make sure to document everything in your WorkSourceWA account.

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THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A JOKE!!! I've been waiting 6 weeks for my claim to get through adjudication and still no payments. They say I'm eligible for $567/week but I haven't seen a dime. Meanwhile my bills are piling up and I can't get anyone on the phone to explain what's happening.

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6 weeks is definitely longer than normal for adjudication. Have you checked your account for any outstanding issues that need to be resolved?

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I've checked everything multiple times. There's nothing showing that needs action from me. It just says 'adjudication in progress' with no explanation.

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I had the same issue last year. Turns out there was a simple verification they needed but it wasn't showing up clearly in my account. Once I finally got through to someone, they fixed it in 5 minutes and I got all my back pay.

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If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your benefit calculation or have questions about your claim, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They helped me get through to an actual agent when I couldn't reach anyone after calling for days. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

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Never heard of that service. Is it legit or just another scam trying to take advantage of unemployed people?

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It's legitimate - they just help you get through the phone queue system. I was skeptical too but it actually worked when I needed to talk to someone about my weekly claim issue.

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Good to know there's an option if I can't get through. The phone lines are always so busy.

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The benefit calculation can be confusing. Your base year is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in 2025, your base year would typically be Q4 2023 through Q3 2024. They look at all four quarters but use the highest one for the calculation.

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What if you didn't work all four quarters? I had a gap in employment for about 3 months.

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You still need to meet the minimum earnings requirements. You need at least $8,019 in your base year OR earn at least 680 times the minimum wage in your highest quarter.

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Ok that helps, I think I should qualify then since I made decent money in the quarters I did work.

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just got approved last week and my weekly is $445. was making about 48k before i got laid off

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Don't forget that unemployment benefits are taxable income! You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay them when you file your tax return. Washington ESD will send you a 1099-G form.

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Oh I didn't think about taxes. Should I have them withhold or just pay later?

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I always have them withhold 10% just so I don't get hit with a big tax bill. You can change this setting in your online account anytime.

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The washington esd system is so confusing!! I've been trying to figure out if my part time job will affect my benefits and I can't get a straight answer anywhere

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Part-time work can affect your weekly benefit amount. You need to report all earnings when you file your weekly claim. Generally, earnings over 1/4 of your weekly benefit amount will reduce your benefits dollar for dollar.

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so if my weekly benefit is $300 and I earn $100 in a week, I'd still get $225 from unemployment?

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Yes, that's correct. The first $75 (1/4 of $300) doesn't affect your benefits, but the remaining $25 you earned would reduce your UI payment to $275.

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The maximum is $999 but most people don't get that much. I think you need to have been making like $65,000+ to hit the max. Also remember you'll pay taxes on unemployment benefits.

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Good point about taxes. Do they take taxes out automatically or do I need to pay quarterly?

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You can choose to have 10% federal tax withheld when you file your weekly claims. I'd recommend it to avoid a big tax bill next year.

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Just remember you have to be actively looking for work and reporting your job search activities weekly to keep getting benefits. The amount doesn't matter if you don't follow the job search requirements.

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Good point. How many job contacts do you need per week in Washington?

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It's 3 job search activities per week, but they can include things like attending job fairs or workshops, not just applications.

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I got $421 per week when I was unemployed last year. I was making about $45K before I lost my job. The calculation seems pretty straightforward once you know the formula.

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That helps give me a realistic expectation. Did you have any issues with the weekly claims process?

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Not really, just make sure you keep track of your job search activities. You need to do at least 3 job search activities per week.

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How long did it take for your claim to get approved? I'm still waiting and it's been 3 weeks in adjudication.

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ugh the whole system is so complicated... why can't they just tell you upfront what you'll get instead of making you do math with quarters and percentages

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I know right? Everything with Washington ESD seems unnecessarily complex.

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Make sure you apply as soon as possible after losing your job. There's no retroactive payments for weeks before you file your initial claim. I made that mistake and lost out on 2 weeks of benefits.

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Good point! I was laid off last Friday so I'll file this week for sure.

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Yeah don't wait, the sooner the better. Even if your claim goes into adjudication you want to get the process started.

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I've been on unemployment for 3 months now and the weekly amount has been consistent. Just make sure you keep filing your weekly claims on time and meet the job search requirements or they'll cut off your benefits.

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What are the job search requirements? Do I need to apply to a certain number of jobs each week?

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You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log. Can be applications, networking, attending job fairs, etc. Keep good records because they might audit you.

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does anyone know if they count severance pay against your benefits? my company gave me 2 weeks severance and im worried that will mess up my claim

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Severance can affect your benefits depending on how it's paid and when. If it's paid as a lump sum representing future weeks, it might delay your benefits. Best to report it when you file.

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