How to unfile for unemployment - Washington ESD withdrawal process?

That's a relief! So I just don't file this week and I'm good? Do I need to call them or anything?

Exactly. Just don't file your weekly claim. The system will automatically close your claim after a few weeks of inactivity. No need to call unless they contact you first.

Good point. I'll try calling but we all know how hard it is to get through to anyone at Washington ESD these days.

If you can't get through on the phone, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr that helps people connect with Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Might be worth it if you want to officially notify them about returning to work.

Thanks! I'll check that out if I can't get through the regular way.

No, you're not locked into continuing a claim. Life situations change and Washington ESD understands that. If you go back to work, you simply stop filing weekly claims.

Oh thank god. I've been losing sleep over this thinking I was trapped in the system somehow.

lol you're not trapped, it's unemployment benefits not prison

Exactly my situation - no payments received yet. Thanks for confirming I'm handling this right.

What happens if someone already got paid and then goes back to work? Asking for a friend...

They need to report the return to work immediately and may have to pay back benefits for any weeks they worked. Washington ESD takes unreported work very seriously.

Perfect, that's exactly what I needed to hear. Did it affect your ability to file again later if needed?

Nope, no problems at all. When I filed again 6 months later it was like starting fresh.

Good thinking. I'll document everything just in case.

Always good advice. Washington ESD loves their documentation.

Because that would make too much sense lol. Government websites are designed to be confusing I swear.

The system is designed around the assumption that most people will file weekly claims until they find work. Not filing is effectively canceling.

I guess that makes sense, just not very intuitive for people who aren't familiar with the process.

Yeah I'm definitely going to try that if I can't get through normally. These wait times are ridiculous.

I used Claimyr last month for a different issue and it actually worked. Got connected to an agent in like 20 minutes instead of hours of busy signals.

Thanks for the tip! I'll try that tomorrow morning if I decide to call.

8am is definitely better but still expect at least 30-45 minutes on hold even then.

That's kind of where I'm leaning too. Seems like calling would be more hassle than it's worth for this situation.

Agreed. Save yourself the headache and just stop filing. Washington ESD has bigger fish to fry than someone who didn't collect any benefits.

Hmm, good point. My employer hasn't mentioned anything but I should probably ask HR just to be safe.

Most employers don't care as long as you're not collecting benefits while working for them. But it doesn't hurt to ask what their policy is.

Yeah better safe than sorry. Some companies have strict policies about employees being on unemployment.

Right? It's such a relief to know we can just stop filing without any drama.

Exactly! I was imagining all kinds of bureaucratic nightmares.