How to get off unemployment benefits in Washington - proper way to end claim?

Congrats on the job! You need to file one final weekly claim reporting your start date and first day of work. Don't just stop filing without reporting the job - that can cause problems with your claim record.

You should also update your job search activities in WorkSourceWA to show you found employment. It helps keep your records clean and shows you completed the reemployment process successfully.

If you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about ending your claim properly, I had good luck using Claimyr to get through their phone system. It's at claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way easier than spending hours trying to get through on your own.

Make sure you keep all your documentation about the job offer and start date. If there are any questions later about when you stopped receiving benefits, you'll have proof of when you became employed.

ugh i hate how complicated they make everything. cant you just call and say hey im working now cancel my benefits? why do they need all this paperwork

One thing to watch out for - if your new job doesn't work out within the first few weeks, you may be able to reopen your claim instead of filing a completely new one. But that only works if you properly closed it in the first place.

Does anyone know if you have to pay back benefits if you don't report employment right away? Like what if I forgot to file the weekly claim reporting my job?

Congratulations on finding work! The job market has been tough lately so it's great to hear success stories.

Just want to add that Claimyr was really helpful when I had questions about my benefit year ending. Sometimes you really do need to speak with an actual person at Washington ESD and their regular phone system is impossible.

Make sure your new employer knows you were on unemployment. Some places want documentation for their records, especially if you're getting any hiring incentives or tax credits.

i stopped filing weekly claims when i got a job and nothing bad happened. been working 6 months now and no issues

What if you're starting a part-time job? Do you still need to end your claim completely or can you keep filing and report the part-time wages?

The Washington ESD website has a checklist for ending your claim properly. It's buried in their resources section but it explains the whole process step by step.

Remember to file your final weekly claim even if you only worked one day that week. You still need to report any wages earned during your claim period.

This happened to my sister last year and she just stopped filing without reporting her job. Months later Washington ESD sent her a letter asking why she stopped filing and whether she found work. Better to do it right from the start.

good luck with the new job! its nice to see someone getting off unemployment by choice instead of being cut off

If you have any issues with your final claim or questions about overpayments, that Claimyr service mentioned earlier might be worth it. I used it when I had an adjudication issue and it saved me weeks of trying to get through on the phone.

Double-check that your claim shows as inactive after you file your final weekly claim. Sometimes there are system glitches and it doesn't update right away.

Just wanted to say this thread was super helpful. I'm starting a new job next week too and wasn't sure about the proper process for ending my claim.

Make sure you understand the difference between stopping your claim temporarily vs ending it permanently. If this new job is temporary or contract work, you might want different options.

Make sure to keep a record of when you filed your final weekly claim for your own records. I'd recommend taking a screenshot of the confirmation page showing you reported your employment. That way if there are any questions months down the road, you have proof you properly closed your claim. Also, don't be surprised if you get a final determination letter in the mail a few weeks later - that's normal and just confirms your claim has ended.