How to maintain unemployment benefits - Washington ESD requirements?
I just got approved for UI benefits after waiting 6 weeks for adjudication to clear up. Now I'm terrified of doing something wrong and losing my benefits. What exactly do I need to do each week to maintain my unemployment benefits with Washington ESD? I know about filing weekly claims but what about the job search stuff and other requirements? My neighbor said something about needing to register with WorkSource but I'm not sure if that's still required. Really don't want to mess this up after fighting so hard to get approved.
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AstroAdventurer
Congrats on getting through adjudication! The main things you need to do: 1) File your weekly claim every week even if you worked some hours, 2) Keep detailed records of your job search activities (3 job contacts per week minimum), 3) Be available and able to work, 4) Report any income you earn. The WorkSource registration requirement was suspended during COVID but I think it's back now for most people.
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Jamal Carter
•Thank you! Do I need to report volunteer work or just paid work? And what counts as a valid job contact?
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AstroAdventurer
•You only report paid work, volunteer is fine. Job contacts can be applications, interviews, networking events, job fairs, contacting employers directly. Keep records with dates, company names, and what you did.
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Mei Liu
The weekly claim filing is super important - you have to do it every week by the deadline or you lose that week's benefits permanently. I learned this the hard way when I forgot one week and Washington ESD wouldn't let me backdate it.
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Jamal Carter
•Oh no! What day is the deadline? I want to set reminders.
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Mei Liu
•You file for the week ending Saturday, and the deadline is usually the following Saturday at midnight. So if the week ended Jan 11th, you have until Jan 18th to file that claim.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•Actually I think it might be Sunday night at midnight but don't quote me on that. Check your Washington ESD account for the exact time.
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Amara Chukwu
Here's what Washington ESD requires to maintain benefits: File weekly claims on time, conduct job search (3 contacts/week for most people), be able and available for work, report all income including part-time work, respond to any requests from Washington ESD immediately. The job search requirement has some exceptions - if you're on standby with a specific return date, you might not need to search. Also register with WorkSource WA within a reasonable time if you haven't already.
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Giovanni Conti
•What if you can't find 3 jobs to apply for in your field each week? I'm in a specialized area and there just aren't that many openings.
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Amara Chukwu
•You can expand your search to related fields or include networking activities, informational interviews, updating your LinkedIn, attending virtual job fairs. The key is documenting everything you do to find work.
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD with questions about maintaining benefits, I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to someone. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.
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Jamal Carter
•Is that legit? I'm always worried about scams when it comes to unemployment stuff.
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
•Yeah it's real - they just help you get through the phone queue faster. I used it when I had questions about my job search requirements and actually got to talk to a real Washington ESD person.
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NeonNova
•I've heard of them too, seems like they just automate the calling process so you don't have to sit there redialing for hours.
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Dylan Campbell
Don't forget about taxes! Washington ESD doesn't automatically withhold federal taxes from your benefits. You can elect to have them take out 10% or you'll owe at tax time. I made that mistake my first year and got hit with a big tax bill.
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Jamal Carter
•Good point! How do I set up the tax withholding?
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Dylan Campbell
•You can do it when you file your weekly claim - there's a question about tax withholding. You can also change it anytime by calling Washington ESD or through your online account.
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Liam O'Sullivan
The job search thing is confusing because different people get different requirements. Some people need 3 contacts per week, others need more or less depending on their situation. Check your determination letter or ask Washington ESD what your specific requirements are.
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Jamal Carter
•How do I know what my specific requirements are? My determination letter doesn't mention job search.
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AstroAdventurer
•If it's not on your determination letter, the standard is 3 job contacts per week. You should get something in the mail or in your online account explaining the work search requirements.
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Sofia Hernandez
•I never got anything about job search requirements either but I do 3 per week just to be safe. Better to do more than risk getting disqualified.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
MAKE SURE YOU ANSWER THE WEEKLY CLAIM QUESTIONS HONESTLY. I cannot stress this enough. If you worked any hours, report them. If you weren't available for work for any reason, report it. Washington ESD will find out eventually and if they think you lied, you'll get hit with an overpayment and possibly fraud charges.
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Jamal Carter
•What if I worked just a few hours? Will that disqualify me completely?
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•No, you can work part-time and still get partial benefits. Washington ESD reduces your weekly benefit based on how much you earned, but you don't lose benefits entirely unless you earn over a certain amount.
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Amara Chukwu
•The formula is roughly that you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount before you lose all benefits for that week. If your WBA is $400, you can earn up to $400 and still get some unemployment.
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Ava Thompson
Also keep track of everything! Save copies of your job applications, keep a log of your job search activities with dates and details, screenshot your weekly claim confirmations. If Washington ESD ever audits you or questions something, you'll need proof.
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Miguel Ramos
•Yes! I keep everything in a folder on my computer and also print out the important stuff. You never know when you'll need to prove something to Washington ESD.
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Jamal Carter
•Good idea. Should I keep records of volunteer work too even though I don't have to report it?
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Ava Thompson
•Probably not necessary for volunteer work since it doesn't affect your benefits, but it couldn't hurt if the volunteer work is related to your job search or career development.
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Zainab Ibrahim
One thing that tripped me up - if you turn down a job offer or quit a job while on benefits, you could lose your unemployment. Washington ESD considers that 'refusing suitable work' or 'leaving work without good cause.' Be really careful about this.
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Jamal Carter
•What counts as 'suitable work'? Can I turn down a job that pays way less than my previous job?
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Zainab Ibrahim
•It's complicated and depends how long you've been unemployed. Early on you can be more selective, but after a while Washington ESD expects you to take jobs that pay less than your previous job.
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Amara Chukwu
•Generally suitable work is anything that matches your skills and pays at least minimum wage. After several weeks of benefits, the pay requirement drops to around 75% of your previous wage, then lower over time.
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StarSailor
don't stress too much about it, just be honest and follow the rules. thousands of people manage to maintain their benefits just fine. the system isn't trying to trick you, they just want to make sure you're actively looking for work
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Jamal Carter
•Thanks, I needed to hear that. I've been so anxious about messing something up.
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Connor O'Brien
•Same here, the whole process is nerve-wracking when you really need the money.
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Yara Sabbagh
If you do get confused about anything or need to ask Washington ESD a question, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier actually works. I was skeptical at first but when I needed to clarify my job search requirements, they got me through to a real person at Washington ESD in like 20 minutes instead of calling for hours.
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Jamal Carter
•That's good to know. I'll probably need to call them at some point with questions.
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Keisha Johnson
•Yeah the regular Washington ESD phone line is basically impossible to get through on. I gave up after trying for days.
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Paolo Rizzo
One more thing - if your circumstances change (like you move, change your phone number, start school, etc.) you need to report that to Washington ESD right away. Don't wait until your next weekly claim.
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Jamal Carter
•How do I report changes? Is there a form online?
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Paolo Rizzo
•You can update most things through your online account at secure.esd.wa.gov. For bigger changes like starting school you might need to call them.
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QuantumQuest
The WorkSource registration is definitely required again for most people. I had to do it last month. You can register online at worksourcewa.com and it only takes a few minutes. Just another hoop to jump through but it's required to maintain benefits.
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Jamal Carter
•Thanks! I'll get that done this week. Better safe than sorry.
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Amina Sy
•WorkSource actually has some decent job search resources once you're registered, so it's not totally useless.
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Oliver Fischer
My biggest advice is to file your weekly claim the same day every week and make it a routine. I do mine every Sunday morning with my coffee. Never missed one in 8 months of benefits.
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Jamal Carter
•That's a great idea. I'll pick a day and stick to it.
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Natasha Petrova
•Sunday is perfect because you're filing for the week that just ended on Saturday.
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Javier Morales
Also remember that holidays can affect when benefits are paid. Washington ESD usually posts a schedule of holiday delays on their website. Plan accordingly so you don't panic when your payment is a day late.
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Jamal Carter
•Good to know. I would definitely panic if my payment was late!
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Emma Davis
You've got this! Just stay organized, be honest, and don't overthink it. The fact that you're asking these questions shows you're taking it seriously, which is exactly the right approach.
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Jamal Carter
•Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about maintaining my benefits now.
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