What every worker should know about unemployment insurance - Washington ESD basics

Good summary! Few things to add - make sure you understand the difference between 'able and available' vs 'standby' status. If you're on standby (like temporary layoff expecting to return), you don't have to do job searches. But regular UI requires those 3 job contacts every week and you have to keep a log. Also, your weekly benefit amount is based on your highest earning quarter in your base period, not your most recent job. The base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file.

Adjudication can take forever, especially if there's any question about why you left your job. I've been waiting 5 weeks for mine to resolve. The worst part is trying to get through to someone at Washington ESD to find out what's happening. I've called hundreds of times and either get a busy signal or get disconnected after waiting on hold.

Important thing people don't realize - you can appeal almost any Washington ESD decision if you disagree with it. Disqualifications, overpayment notices, benefit amounts, etc. You usually have 30 days from the date of the determination to file an appeal. Don't just accept a decision if you think it's wrong. The appeals process goes through the Office of Administrative Hearings, not Washington ESD directly.

One thing that caught me off guard - if you work part-time while collecting unemployment, you still need to report those earnings on your weekly claim. Washington ESD will reduce your benefits based on how much you earned, but you don't necessarily lose all your benefits. The formula is complicated but generally if you earn less than 1.5 times your weekly benefit amount, you'll still get something.

The job search requirement is probably the biggest pain point for most people. You need 3 job search activities per week and they have to be documented. WorkSourceWA counts as one activity per week, but you still need 2 more. Online applications count, but so do things like attending job fairs, networking events, or informational interviews. Keep detailed records because Washington ESD can audit your job search log at any time.

Something I learned the hard way - if you have any kind of severance pay or vacation payout when you lose your job, that can affect when your benefits start. Washington ESD considers it 'wages in lieu of notice' and you might have to wait until that period is over before you can collect unemployment. Really frustrating when you think you're going to get help right away.

Here's something most people don't know - Washington state has some of the best unemployment benefits in the country. Maximum weekly benefit is over $900 now, and you can collect for up to 26 weeks in normal times. Some states cap benefits way lower and for shorter periods. We also have things like the SharedWork program where employers can reduce hours instead of laying people off, and workers can collect partial unemployment to make up the difference.

Don't forget about the tax implications! Unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly benefits, or you'll owe it all at tax time. I made that mistake my first time collecting and got hit with a big tax bill I wasn't expecting.

The whole system is set up to be confusing honestly. They use all these terms like 'monetary determination' and 'eligibility determination' that mean different things, and if you miss something important in all the paperwork, you're screwed. I spent weeks trying to figure out why my claim was denied only to find out I had checked the wrong box on one form.

One more thing - if you're thinking about going back to school while collecting unemployment, there are specific rules about that. Generally you have to be available for work, which means you can't be in school full-time. But there are some exceptions for approved training programs. Washington ESD has a list of approved schools and programs where you might be able to collect benefits while in training.

honestly the whole thing is a nightmare. been trying to get my claim sorted for over a month now and every time I call I get different information from different people. one person tells me my claim is fine, another says there's a problem, nobody seems to know what's actually going on.

For anyone reading this who hasn't filed yet - gather all your employment information BEFORE you start the application. You'll need dates of employment, wages, reasons for separation, employer contact info, etc. for every job in the last 18 months. Having it all ready makes the process much smoother.

The waiting week thing confuses a lot of people too. Washington doesn't have a waiting week anymore (they eliminated it during COVID and kept it that way), so you can get paid for your first week of unemployment as long as you file in time. Some other states still make you wait a week before benefits start.

Watch out for scams too. There are fake unemployment websites that look official but are trying to steal your information. Always make sure you're on the real Washington ESD website (esd.wa.gov) and never give your login information to anyone claiming to help you with your claim.

This thread is super helpful! I'm bookmarking it in case I ever need to file for unemployment. Hopefully I won't but it's good to know what to expect just in case.