Will donating plasma affect my Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

That's a relief! I was really stressing about this. So I can donate without worrying about my weekly claim certification?

Exactly. Just make sure you're still doing your job search activities and reporting those correctly. The plasma thing won't affect your UI at all.

Which center did you go to? I'm looking at CSL Plasma but wasn't sure if they were legit.

CSL is fine, I also used BioLife. Both are reputable. Just bring your ID and social security card for the first visit.

Oh no, that's exactly what I was worried about! Did your friend get in trouble?

They had to explain it but it was fine once they showed the plasma center receipts. Just keep your documentation in case.

That's good advice. Always keep records of any non-employment income sources, even if you don't have to report them.

I was having the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an actual person. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Is that legit? I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point. The hold times are insane.

Yeah it's real. I used it last month when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Way better than spending hours on hold just to get disconnected.

Nice! Which center pays $75 for first time? The ones I looked at were offering $50.

biolife has a promotion for new donors. first 5 donations get you more money

That makes sense. So as long as I'm not doing actual work for the money, I don't need to report it on my weekly certification?

Correct. Just continue reporting your job search activities and any actual employment income accurately. The plasma donations won't impact your UI eligibility or benefit amount.

Selling personal items isn't income either unless you're running a business. If it's just decluttering your house, that's not reportable income.

Ugh, I've been over-reporting then. Should I call Washington ESD to clarify my past claims?

You could, but over-reporting usually isn't a problem. They'll just reduce your benefit by the amount you reported. Under-reporting is what gets people in trouble.

Good idea. I'll start a spreadsheet if I decide to do this regularly.

Definitely do this. Documentation is your friend when dealing with any government agency.

Wow, $2000 is significant! Did you ever worry about Washington ESD asking about the extra money in your bank account?

Not really. I kept all my donation receipts and never tried to hide it. If they asked, I had proof it wasn't employment income.

How often are you going? I heard you can only donate twice a week max.

Yeah, twice a week is the FDA limit. I go Tuesdays and Fridays usually. Takes about an hour each time.

I mean, I get the frustration, but right now I need to focus on what I can control. If donating plasma helps me pay rent, I'll do it.

agreed that the system sucks but we gotta work with what we have

That's reassuring coming from someone who works there! Do you see any issues with people donating regularly?

As long as people are healthy and follow the guidelines, regular donation is fine. We monitor your protein levels and overall health at each visit.

Good point. I'll make sure to eat protein-rich foods and stay hydrated.

Exactly. Eggs, chicken, and beans are good options. The plasma center usually gives you a list of recommended foods too.

That's really helpful to know from someone with long-term experience. I think I'm convinced to try it now.

just remember to bring entertainment for the donation time. I usually watch netflix on my phone

What triggered the phone interview? Was it just the regular deposits or something else?

I think it was because I had been on unemployment for a while and they do random checks. The plasma thing wasn't a big deal at all.

How did you manage to get through to them? I've been trying for weeks!

Honestly, I got lucky. Called right at 8am and only waited about 45 minutes. But I know people who use that Claimyr service to avoid the wait times.

Yeah, Claimyr is definitely worth it if you need to talk to Washington ESD regularly. Saved me so much time and frustration.

Same here! I'm feeling much better about it now. Going to look into donation centers this weekend.

Let me know how it goes! I'm thinking about doing it too if I can work up the courage.

I didn't know that! I'll definitely ask about it during my first visit.

Yeah, people with O-negative or who've had certain vaccines can sometimes get bonus payments. Worth checking out!

Awesome! I'm going to make my appointment today too. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences.

Good luck to both of you! Remember to stay hydrated and eat well before your appointments.

You've summarized it perfectly! I was in the same boat a few months ago - really nervous about doing anything that might jeopardize my benefits. But after reading threads like this and talking to people who've actually done it, I realized I was overthinking it. The plasma donation process is pretty straightforward too - just make sure you have all your documents ready for the first visit and don't be afraid to ask questions. The staff at these centers are used to dealing with people in tough financial situations and they're generally pretty understanding. Hope it works out for you!

This is exactly the kind of detailed info I was looking for! The tip about calling different centers to compare rates is brilliant - I hadn't thought of that. I'm curious about the screening process - how long did it take for your first visit? And did they ask any questions about your employment status or income sources? I'm planning to go next week but want to be prepared for what to expect. Also really appreciate the reminder about using the time productively for job searching - that's actually a great way to think about it!