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Don't forget that Washington ESD might send you a questionnaire or ask for verification of your employment later. Keep all your paperwork organized in case they need proof of when you started working.
I've been getting partial benefits for 2 months now and it's been a lifesaver. Don't let people scare you about the process - yes it's bureaucratic but it works if you follow the rules.
Update us on how it goes! I'm sure other people in similar situations would benefit from hearing about your experience with Washington ESD partial benefits.
Good luck! And remember Claimyr is there if you need help getting through to an agent quickly.
One thing people don't always think about is how business expenses work with unemployment. You can deduct legitimate business expenses from your reported income, which might help reduce the impact on your benefits.
Bottom line: it's definitely possible to start a business while collecting unemployment in Washington, but you need to do it right. Get proper guidance, keep detailed records, report everything honestly, and consider applying for the SEA program if you qualify. Don't let fear stop you from pursuing your business idea, just be smart about it.
One more thing to keep in mind - your benefit amount is locked in when you file your initial claim. Even if Washington raises the maximum benefit amounts during your claim period, your weekly amount won't increase until you file a new claim in a future benefit year.
Another option if you can't get through to Washington ESD is checking with WorkSource offices. They sometimes have staff who can help explain benefit calculations and answer general questions about unemployment insurance.
Good suggestion! I forgot about WorkSource. They've been helpful with job search requirements in the past, didn't know they could help with benefit questions too.
Axel Far
I'm going through this exact same situation right now. Filed my claim two weeks ago with severance and still haven't heard anything back from Washington ESD. Starting to get really anxious about it.
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Axel Far
•Yes, filing every week like they told me to. Just worried something went wrong with my application.
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Hunter Hampton
•If you're really concerned, you could try reaching out through Claimyr to talk to an agent about your claim status. That's how I found out my severance case was just in normal processing and nothing was wrong. Sometimes it just takes time but at least you'll know for sure.
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Luis Johnson
Thanks everyone for all this info. I was completely lost about how severance affects unemployment but this thread has been super helpful. Going to file my claim tomorrow!
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Savannah Weiner
•Glad it helped! This whole situation is stressful enough without being confused about the rules.
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Ellie Kim
•Good luck with your claim! Remember to keep all your severance paperwork organized - you'll probably need to submit it at some point.
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