How to tell Washington ESD unemployment you got a job - what's the process?

So I should file one more weekly claim even though I'm starting work? I was worried that would be wrong.

Yes, you file for the week you start work and report the start date. That's how Washington ESD knows you're employed again and stops your benefits properly.

Good point about the hours. I'm starting Monday so that would be in my next weekly claim period.

The system will automatically calculate your final payment based on what days you worked that week. Very important to be accurate with dates.

Never heard of that service. How does it help with getting through to Washington ESD?

They handle all the calling and waiting for you. Way better than spending hours on hold trying to get through yourself.

That actually sounds useful. I always get disconnected when I try calling Washington ESD during busy times.

Yikes, that's exactly what I was worried about. Thanks for the warning.

This is why proper notification is so important. The system needs to know you're employed, not just absent.

Perfect, that sounds straightforward. I'll do it when I file this week.

Make sure you keep a record of when you reported it in case there are any questions later.

Yes, you can reopen your claim if you become unemployed again through no fault of your own. You'd need to file a new application though.

Just make sure you document everything if the job ends unexpectedly. Washington ESD will want to know the circumstances.

Good to know, thanks. Hopefully won't need it but nice to have that safety net.

You only report when you actually start working, not when you get an offer. Keep filing weekly claims until your first day of work.

Thanks, that makes sense. I was overthinking it.

Thank you! I feel much better about the process now.

This is important. I got an overpayment notice months later because I underreported some gig work earnings.

I didn't do any side work so should be straightforward for me, but good reminder for others.

Can you explain that more? I thought they'd be consecutive days.

If you're unemployed Friday but start work Monday, your last day unemployed is Friday and first work day is Monday. You report both dates.

Exactly right. The system needs both pieces of information to calculate your final benefit week correctly.

How much does that cost? I'm always hesitant about paid services for government stuff.

Honestly don't remember the exact cost but it was worth it to avoid hours of calling. Check their site at claimyr.com for current info.

Great idea, I'll definitely do that.

Screenshots saved my butt when Washington ESD claimed I never reported something. Always good to have documentation.

Part-time work doesn't automatically stop your benefits. You report your hours and wages, and Washington ESD reduces your weekly benefit amount accordingly. You might still qualify for partial benefits.

Oh interesting, I didn't know you could get partial benefits with part-time work.

Yes, as long as your weekly earnings are below a certain threshold, you can receive reduced unemployment benefits. It's called working part-time while on unemployment.

It's a permanent full-time position, so I assume that ends my claim completely.

Yes, permanent full-time work will close your unemployment claim. Just make sure you report it properly so there's a clean break.

You get paid for the days you were unemployed that week. So if you were unemployed Mon-Wed and started work Thursday, you'd get 3/7 of your weekly benefit amount.

That makes sense, thanks for clarifying.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice. I feel confident about handling this correctly now.

Good luck with the new job! Sounds like you've got the reporting process figured out.

I might do that just to be extra sure. Better safe than sorry with unemployment stuff.

Smart thinking. Always better to ask questions upfront than deal with problems later.

Perfect, thanks again everyone. This thread has been incredibly helpful.

Great point about keeping documentation! I have my offer letter saved and will definitely make sure my contact info is current. Didn't think about the address update aspect but that makes total sense for any final paperwork they might send.