


Ask the community...
Good luck with everything! The first time is always scary but you've got this. Just take it step by step and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
Also remember that if you find part-time work while collecting unemployment, you can still get partial benefits as long as you report the income. Don't assume you have to stop your claim completely.
Quick tip: when you report your severance on your weekly claim, make sure you report it in the week you actually received it, not spread out over multiple weeks (unless that's actually how you received it). The timing of when you report it matters for their records.
Bottom line from someone who's been through this twice - file your unemployment claim as soon as you're laid off, regardless of severance. Report the severance honestly but don't let it stop you from filing. Better to ask forgiveness than permission with Washington ESD timing rules.
The whole process can be overwhelming but don't let it discourage you from applying if you think you might qualify. The worst they can do is say no, and then you can appeal if you disagree with their decision.
If you do decide to apply, make sure you file as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. There can be delays in processing, and you want to establish your claim date as early as possible since benefits typically aren't retroactive beyond when you first file.
And if you run into issues with your claim or need to talk to someone at Washington ESD, that Claimyr service really does work. I used it last month when my claim was stuck in adjudication.
Isabella Silva
I actually got through to Washington ESD using that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier. The agent was super helpful explaining the whole tax situation and helped me adjust my withholding. Worth every penny to avoid the phone runaround.
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Ravi Choudhury
•Was the agent able to tell you exactly how much you should withhold based on your situation?
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Isabella Silva
•They couldn't give specific tax advice but they explained how the withholding works and helped me understand my options.
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Freya Andersen
Bottom line - unemployment is taxable income, set up withholding if you want it automated, or save money on your own if you prefer to handle it yourself. Don't let it be a surprise come tax time!
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AstroAdventurer
•Thanks everyone for all the helpful info. I'm going to log in right now and set up the 10% withholding.
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