How to notify Washington ESD unemployment of new job - proper procedure?

You report the new job on your weekly claim filing. There's a specific question about starting work - make sure you answer it honestly with your start date. Keep filing weekly claims until you're actually working and earning wages.

Congratulations on the job! Make sure you also report any orientation or training days even if they're unpaid. Washington ESD considers that as being unavailable for other work.

If you can't get through to Washington ESD to verify this info, I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) last month to actually talk to someone about reporting income changes. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way easier than spending hours on hold.

DONT FORGET to keep track of your last day of unemployment! If you get laid off later you'll need that date for any future claims. Also save all your job search logs just in case.

Make sure you understand the difference between your start date and when you'll actually receive wages. If there's a delay in your first paycheck, you might still be eligible for partial benefits during that gap period.

congrats!! i just went through this same thing last month. just be super honest on your weekly filing about everything - start date, training, etc. washington esd is pretty good about processing it correctly if you give them accurate info

One more thing - if your new job doesn't work out within the first few weeks, you may be able to reopen your claim without filing a completely new application. Just something to keep in mind.

Also make sure your employer knows you were on unemployment. Some employers like to verify that everything was handled properly for their records, especially for background checks later.

Just remembered another tip - screenshot or print your final weekly claim submission for your records. Helps if there are any questions later about when you reported the job change.

Make sure you're not working any hours before your official start date, even volunteer work. Had a friend who did some consulting work during his last week of benefits and it created a whole mess with Washington ESD.

This thread is so helpful! I've been dreading this process but it sounds more straightforward than I thought. Thanks everyone!

One last reminder - if you have any unemployment taxes withheld from your benefits, don't forget about that when you file your taxes next year. The 1099-G form from Washington ESD will show all payments and withholdings.

Has anyone had issues with Washington ESD saying they were overpaid after reporting a new job? I'm paranoid about getting one of those notices later.

If you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about this process, I had good luck with Claimyr recently. Much better than trying to call the regular number and getting busy signals all day.

update us after you file this weekend! would love to hear how it goes since i might be in the same situation soon 🤞

This whole thread should be stickied somewhere. So much better than trying to navigate the Washington ESD website for this info.

Quick question - if the job is temporary (like a 3-month contract), do you report it the same way? Or is there something different for temp work?

Congrats on the new job! Just remember that Washington ESD processes things pretty quickly these days, so don't expect to receive any more benefit payments after you report starting work.

Make sure you also update your job search requirements if you're still required to do work search activities. Once you start working full-time, those requirements should stop automatically.

This has been super helpful to read through. I'm not starting a job yet but good to know the process for when I do. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure to keep your login credentials and account info handy even after you stop filing. If you need to access your payment history, 1099-G forms, or reopen your claim later, you'll want to be able to get back into your Washington ESD account easily. I made the mistake of forgetting my login info after I got a job and it was a hassle to reset everything when I needed it months later.

Just wanted to add one more thing that saved me a headache - take a screenshot of your weekly claim confirmation page when you report starting the new job. I did this and it came in handy when there was a small discrepancy in my final payment amount. Having that proof of exactly what I reported and when made it super easy to resolve with Washington ESD. Also, don't panic if your final payment is different than usual - they often prorate based on the exact days you were unemployed that week. Good luck with the new job Henry!

Congratulations on the new job Henry! I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and wanted to share one more tip that really helped me. When you file your weekly claim this Sunday, be very specific about your start date in the comments section if there's one available. I wrote something like "Starting full-time employment on [date] with [company name]" just to be extra clear. Also, if your new employer has any kind of probationary period, that doesn't affect how you report to Washington ESD - you still report it as starting work regardless of probation status. The key is just being completely transparent about your employment status changes. You've got this!

Hey Henry, congratulations on landing the new job! I just wanted to add something that helped me when I was in a similar situation last year. After you file your final weekly claim this Sunday and report your start date, Washington ESD will send you a confirmation letter or email within a few days confirming that your benefits have been stopped. Keep that confirmation - it's good documentation to have for your records. Also, if you have direct deposit set up, make sure to keep that bank account open for at least a month after your last payment, just in case there are any adjustments or corrections that need to be processed. The system is pretty reliable but it's always good to be safe. Best of luck with the new position!

Henry, congratulations on the new job! Just wanted to add one more consideration - if your new employer offers health insurance and you've been on any kind of state-sponsored health coverage while unemployed (like Apple Health/Medicaid), make sure to coordinate that transition too. You'll want to notify DSHS about your employment change just like you're doing with Washington ESD. The income change could affect your health coverage eligibility, and you don't want any gaps between when state coverage ends and your employer coverage begins. Most employer plans have a waiting period, so timing is important. It's not directly related to your UI benefits, but it's another important piece of the puzzle when transitioning back to work in Washington state.

Henry, huge congratulations on the new job! I went through this exact process about 8 months ago and just wanted to share one small tip that really put my mind at ease. After you file your weekly claim on Sunday and report your start date, you might notice that your online account status changes from "Active" to something like "Inactive" or "Closed" within a day or two. Don't panic if you see this - it's totally normal and just means the system has processed your employment change. I remember freaking out thinking I had done something wrong when I first saw the status change, but it's actually a good sign that everything was processed correctly. Also, keep an eye on your email for any automated notifications from Washington ESD confirming the change. The whole process is honestly much smoother than it seems when you're worried about it beforehand. You've clearly done your research and you'll handle it perfectly!

Congratulations Henry! I just wanted to add one more helpful tip from my recent experience - make sure you save a copy of your job offer letter or any documentation about your start date. When I reported my new job to Washington ESD last month, they actually asked me to upload proof of my employment start date as part of their verification process. Having that documentation ready made the whole thing go much faster. Also, if your new job has any kind of signing bonus or relocation assistance, make sure to ask HR when those payments will be processed - you might need to report those as income even if they're separate from your regular wages. The Washington ESD representatives are generally pretty helpful if you need clarification on anything, but having all your paperwork organized beforehand definitely makes the process smoother. Best of luck with the new position!