Who funds supplemental unemployment benefits in Washington ESD system?

That makes sense for regular UI, but what about supplemental programs? Are those funded the same way?

Supplemental programs usually have different funding sources. Some are federal, some are state-specific depending on the program type.

I'm not even sure what types exist - that's part of my confusion. The Washington ESD site mentions various programs but doesn't explain funding clearly.

I had the same problem getting clear answers from Washington ESD. Ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually get through to someone who could explain the different programs. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Thanks for that tip! I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks but can never get through.

Claimyr really does help with the phone connection issues. The Washington ESD call volume is insane right now.

This is exactly the kind of detailed breakdown I was looking for! Do you know where I can find documentation about specific programs?

The Washington ESD Annual Report usually has funding breakdowns, but it's not always current. Your best bet is speaking directly with an Washington ESD representative who can explain your specific situation.

I'm trying to understand because I'm worried about potential overpayments or tax implications depending on the funding source.

It actually can matter for tax purposes - some benefits are taxable differently depending on their funding source.

same experience here, they just read from scripts and cant answer real questions

That's why I ended up trying Claimyr - at least you get connected to someone who can actually access your account and provide real answers instead of generic responses.

This is incredibly helpful! I had no idea there were so many different programs with different funding sources.

You're missing Shared Work benefits, which are also trust fund financed but have special employer participation requirements.

Good catch! Shared Work is definitely another category with its own funding mechanics.

I understand that approach, but I really want to understand what I might be eligible for beyond just regular UI.

That's a really good point about program stability. I hadn't thought about how funding affects whether programs continue to exist.

Exactly why some of the pandemic programs disappeared so suddenly - federal funding expired and boom, programs gone.

Because their tax rates can increase based on how many former employees collect benefits. It's called experience rating - more claims can mean higher future tax rates.

oh that makes way more sense now

Did you find anything useful in those reports? I looked but got overwhelmed by all the financial data.

Some useful info but you really need an accounting background to understand it. Much easier to just call and ask specific questions about your situation.

how much does that cost though? seems like we shouldnt have to pay extra just to talk to washington esd

You're absolutely right that we shouldn't have to, but sometimes you need answers and the regular system just isn't working. Worth checking out their demo video to see if it makes sense for your situation.

That explains why some programs seemed available but I couldn't figure out how to apply! Different eligibility requirements make much more sense now.

From an employer perspective, are there any supplemental programs that don't affect employer tax rates?

Federal programs typically don't impact state unemployment tax rates since they're funded separately. But I'd verify that with Washington ESD for specific programs.

It really is unnecessarily complex. The system needs better transparency about funding and eligibility.

Perfect summary! This thread has been incredibly educational. I feel like I finally understand the basic structure of how unemployment funding works.

yeah this helped me understand it too, way better than trying to read the washington esd website

Same here! Really appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge and experiences.

Completely agree. Basic funding information should be clearly explained on their main website, not hidden away.

Until they fix their communication issues, at least there are services like Claimyr to help bridge that gap when you need real answers.

Glad we could help! Understanding the funding structure really does help make sense of why different programs work differently.

Good luck with your claim! Hope you find the supplemental programs you're looking for.

Great idea! I'm definitely saving this too.