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Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on UI benefits

 

Many of your questions can be answered by referring to the Handbook for Unemployed Workers.

  
General

Q. What are unemployment-insurance benefits?
A. Unemployment benefits partially replace your regular earnings and help you meet expenses while you look for another job. They are not based on financial need. While receiving benefits, it’s your responsibility to get back to work as quickly as you can.


Q. How do I apply for benefits?
A. Apply for benefits online at any time or call the claims center. 

You can also apply for benefits by phone.

The claims center phone line is 800-318-6022. For current claims center contact information and hours go to: https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/unemployed-workers-contact

(People with hearing or speaking impairments can call Washington Relay Service 711.)  

Applying online is much faster. If you call, be prepared for long wait times.  

Note: Applying for unemployment benefits later in the week will not delay benefit payments


Q. How long can I get benefits?
A. Your claim is good for a “benefit year,” which is 52 weeks, beginning with the week you file your application. You cannot file a new claim in Washington until your benefit year is over, even though you may have received all of your benefits. Most claims receive between 13 to 26 weeks of benefits.


Q. How much will my weekly payment be?
A. Several things are taken into account to determine your weekly check amount. See how much will I receive page for more information.


Q. May I have my benefits deposited directly into my bank account?
A. Yes. If you apply online for a new claim, you will be offered the option of direct deposit. If you are already claiming benefits, or if you re-open a previous claim, you may sign up online.

 

Q. How do I stop claiming unemployment insurance benefits? Do I need to let you know I returned to work?
A. You don’t have to tell us you’ve returned to work. The way to stop your claim is simple: just stop filing your weekly claims.

You may stop claiming at any time during your benefit year and resume claiming the balance of your benefits until your benefit year ends if you meet all eligibility requirements.

However, if you stop claiming, even for one week, your claim becomes inactive and you must restart your claim  during the first week you are eligible and want to begin claiming again.

If your WorkSource office requests information about you returning to work, please respond to them.


Q. Can I still claim weekly benefits if I am moving out of Washington state?
A. Yes. If you are currently filing weekly claims in Washington, file a change of address after you move. You can do this:

Continue to file your weekly claims as you do now. Although you are living in a different state, Washington state will continue to pay you benefits.

You must register for work in your local area. Go online to find your local employment center.


Q. How do I file a claim if I have moved or am going to move out of Washington state?
A. If you worked in Washington state, you may choose to apply online or by calling the claims center. You can do this either before or after you move.

If you worked in Washington and another state(s) in the past two years, you might get more money if you apply for benefits by combining wages you earned in Washington with wages from another state(s).

You must have wages in Washington in order to file a combined wage claim against Washington.

If you collect unemployment benefits from Washington, you must register for work in the new state. Go online to find the nearest local employment office or check the government pages of your local telephone directory.

After you move, file a change of address.

If you have specific questions, call the claims center.


Q. How do I file a claim if I did not work in Washington state?
A. You cannot file a Washington state unemployment claim if you did not work in Washington during the base year. The only exceptions to this rule are if you were in the military or worked for the federal government.

To file an unemployment claim, you must file your claim with one of the state(s) where you worked in the last two years. Contact each state where you worked to find out your claim options for those states.


Q. Where can I get a Handbook for Unemployed Workers (e.g., unemployment benefits manual)?

A. To save money, we no longer mail the handbook to everyone who applies for benefits. You may read or download the handbook from our website. If you need a printed copy, you may pick one up at your local WorkSource office or contact the unemployment claims center and speak to a claims agent at 800-318-6022. For current claims center contact information and hours go to: https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/unemployed-workers-contact.

Continue to file your weekly claims as you do now. Although you are living in a different state, Washington state will continue to pay you benefits. You must register for work in your local area. Go online to find your local employment center.


Q. What is a customer identification number?
A. To help reduce identity theft, we removed your Social Security number (SSN) from most of the unemployment documents we send you. We replaced your SSN with a customer identification number (ID). You must still use your SSN when calling the claims center, registering for eServices or when using our automated claims line.


Q. How do I file an appeal on my unemployment benefits?
A. Your appeal must be in writing and postmarked or faxed to the address or fax number listed on the written decision within 30 days after the date we mailed it to you.  Learn more about unemployment benefit appeals.

   

Eligibility requirements

Q. Do I have to accept any job that is offered?
A. No, you do not have to look for or accept work that is not suitable.  Work is not suitable if: 

  • The work is not in line with your training and experience.  (After a period of time, any job you are qualified to do may become suitable work.)
  • You must join or resign from a labor union.
  • The hours or working conditions are not as favorable as most other jobs in your occupation in your area.
  • The work is farther than the usual commuting distance for people in your occupation in your area.
  • The wages offered are lower than the wages common for that occupation in your area.
  • The work is unreasonably dangerous.
  • You cannot physically do the work.
  • The work would offend your religious beliefs or moral conscience.


Q. I did not work last week. Can I backdate my claim?
A. You may backdate your claim by one week when you apply for benefits online. If you request to backdate your claim by more than one week, we will ask you to provide additional information.


Q. Can I volunteer while I am job searching and collecting unemployment benefits?
A. Yes, volunteering will not affect your unemployment benefits as long as you meet the regular work-search and availability requirements. You can make a positive difference in your life and in your community by volunteering your time and skills to help others. Volunteer work builds experience for your resume and expands your list of community employment contracts. It may even be seen as a positive reflection on your personal values.

The skill sets you use and learn in volunteer work could turn into a job offer or a career change in the future. Volunteering will not affect your unemployment benefits as long as you meet the regular work-search and availability requirements. For more information about volunteering, go to www.volunteerwashington.org  or www.serve.gov.

   

Earnings

Q. What do I do if I didn’t report my earnings or if I incorrectly reported them?
A. Call the claims center for assistance as soon as possible.


Q. Can I collect unemployment benefits if I work part-time?
A. Yes. If you work part-time, we reduce your benefits using the earnings deduction chart (gross earnings minus $5 times 75 percent).

You must still meet the job-search requirements while working part-time.

If you did not work more than 17 hours in any week in your base period, you may need to look for only part-time work.

Working part-time usually extends the number of weeks you can draw benefits.  Additional earnings also may help you qualify for a new claim when your benefit year ends.


Q. When do I report my holiday or vacation pay?
A. Report the holiday pay when you claim the week in which the holiday occurred.  Do not wait until you are paid for the holiday to report it.

If your vacation pay was accrued and there are no specific dates attached to it, you do not need to report it.  However, if your vacation pay was for specific days, it is deductible and you need to report it.  Be sure to report it for the week(s) in which the vacation days occurred.

If you are in doubt or have any questions, call the claims center for help.


Q. How does severance pay, pay in lieu of notice or continuation pay affect my benefits?
A. Severance payments do not usually affect your unemployment benefits.  However, pay in lieu of notice or continuation pay with full benefits that are guaranteed can affect your benefits.  Report any separation-related payment you receive or are entitled to receive to the claims center.

Payments are considered severance pay when: 

  • The payments are not assigned to any period after your date of separation from your employer.
  • You are not on call or in any way required to be available to your employer in order to receive these benefits.
  • Your fringe benefits do not continue to accrue (vacation, retirement, sick, etc.).
  • You accept a new job and it does not affect your severance pay.

   

Internet application

Q. Why isn’t the reason for my job separation on the drop-down list in the Internet application?
A. You have a limited number of options to tell us why you are no longer employed.  Choose the one that best describes your situation. When you select a reason, you may be asked to provide more detail. If you cannot locate a description that best describes your situation, you might want to call the claims center to apply for unemployment benefits.

Examples:

Situation Choose
I told my employer “I quit.” Quit
My employer has no work available, my job was eliminated or the business closed. Laid off due to lack of work
I’m unemployed due to a lockout or strike (not an argument between me and my employer). Strike or lockout
I (or my employer) requested a leave of absence. I’m guaranteed work at the end of my leave of absence. Leave of Absence
My hours were reduced to less than my customary full-time hours with my regular employer.  I will have wages to report each week. Currently working part time

   
IRS

Q. Are my unemployment benefits taxable?

A. Yes. Federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) income-tax law does not require us to withhold taxes from your weekly unemployment benefits.  However, you may choose to have 10 percent of your weekly benefits deducted for income-tax purposes. You may avoid a large tax bill if you choose to have income taxes withheld from your benefits.

We cannot refund any money we withhold for income-tax purposes.  If we overpay you and the payment includes an IRS deduction, you will have to repay the benefits you received, along with the amount we withheld and sent to the IRS.

You can stop and restart the deduction for taxes from your weekly benefits at any time from your eServices account or by calling the claims center.  However, only the IRS can refund your withholdings for income tax and only if you qualify for a refund on your annual federal income tax return.


Q. What is on my 1099-G form – Statement for Recipients of Unemployment Compensation Payments?
A. The amount shown on the 1099-G form includes all benefits paid to you during the previous tax year.  The total also includes benefits you may have paid back because of an overpayment.  If you repaid benefits, you do not include the amount repaid in the total you report to the IRS on your tax return.  However, you need to make this adjustment when you file your tax return.

In January, we mailed a copy to each person who was paid unemployment benefits during the previous calendar year.

Access the information online.

Call for automated information over the phone.

Additional information about the 1099-G is also available.

   

Layoffs, lockouts and labor disputes

Q. I’m being “furloughed” one day a month without pay over the next year. Am I eligible for unemployment benefits for the days I’m off?
A. Unemployment benefits are determined on a weekly basis.  As a general rule, people who normally work full-time whose hours of work are reduced by one work day in a week will not be eligible for benefits – they still earn too much in that week to be eligible.

Estimate your weekly unemployment benefit amount, then use the earnings deduction chart to see if the one-day reduction in your gross pay makes you eligible for any benefits.

We decide eligibility on a case-by-case basis.  Anyone has a right to file an application for benefits and claim weekly benefits.  When we have all the facts we determine eligibility.


Q. I am a state park employee. I’ve been moved from full-time employment to summer work only. Am I eligible for unemployment benefits?
A. You may be eligible for unemployment benefits while you are off. You must meet all eligibility requirements, including looking for new work while you are off.

“Seasonal workers are not eligible for standby.


Q. Am I eligible for unemployment benefits if I’m locked out due to a strike or labor dispute?
A. It depends on the circumstances. For more information on labor disputes, see our Strike and labor disputes section.


Q. What can I do if my employer is planning a layoff?
A. Your employer may qualify for the Shared Work Program.

   

Questions

Q. If I still have questions, what should I do?
A. Please use the secure online form or call us at 800-318-6022. For current claims center contact information and hours go to: https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/unemployed-workers-contact.