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Also check if you're eligible for any emergency assistance programs through your county. Some have short-term help for people between benefits.
Just want to add that if you do find work before your benefits run out, you might be able to restart your claim later if you lose that job, depending on when your benefit year ends.
Perfect timing on this thread - I was literally about to call ESD with this exact question tomorrow. Now I don't have to waste hours on hold!
Just want to confirm what everyone else said - been on unemployment multiple times over the years and never paid social security taxes on the benefits. Only regular income tax. The 1099-G form makes it easy to report at tax time too.
One thing to keep in mind - your former employer might contest your claim. Be prepared to provide detailed information about why you quit and what efforts you made to resolve the situation.
Aisha Jackson
this has been super helpful - i was getting confused by all the different information online about federal vs state unemployment rules. now i know to focus on washington esd specific info when im researching my claim
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Jasmine Hernandez
•Same here! Glad I asked this question because I was getting overwhelmed by all the conflicting information.
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Ryder Everingham
•The Washington ESD website really is the best source for state-specific information. I bookmark their FAQ section.
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Lilly Curtis
One last thing - if you ever need to escalate an issue beyond Washington ESD, you can contact your state legislators office. They sometimes have staff who specialize in helping constituents with state agency issues. But for 99% of unemployment questions, Washington ESD is your primary resource.
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Jasmine Hernandez
•Good to know there are escalation options if needed, though hopefully I won't need them!
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Lilly Curtis
•Most people don't need to escalate, but it's good to know the option exists for really complex cases.
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