I just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through the Washington ESD system recently - definitely file as soon as possible! The wait times for processing have been pretty long lately, so the sooner you get your application in, the better. Also, I noticed some people mentioned Claimyr for getting through to agents - I haven't used it myself but I've heard mixed reviews about third-party services. Sometimes it's worth trying the ESD phone lines early in the morning (like right when they open) or late in the day when call volume might be lower. The most important thing is that you absolutely ARE eligible for benefits after working at a nonprofit - your friend was misinformed. Food banks are essential community services and you deserve support while you look for your next opportunity. Wishing you the best with your claim!

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation at the food bank - those funding cuts are so tough on both the staff and the communities you serve. Your friend is definitely wrong about nonprofit employees not being eligible for unemployment! I actually went through something similar when the environmental nonprofit I worked for had to downsize due to budget constraints. As long as your employer was paying into the unemployment insurance system (which you can verify by looking for those SUI deductions on your pay stubs), you're absolutely eligible. The process might take a bit longer than usual given how busy Washington ESD has been lately, but don't let that discourage you. Make sure you have all your employment documentation ready - final pay stub, any separation paperwork, etc. And definitely file as soon as possible since there can be waiting periods. The nonprofit sector can be unpredictable with funding, but unemployment benefits are there to help bridge these gaps. Hope you find another meaningful position soon!

I'm in a similar situation! I've been doing temp work for about 6 months and my assignment just ended too. Reading through all these responses is super helpful - I had no idea that temp workers could get unemployment benefits. I was worried I'd have to drain my savings while waiting for the next assignment. Does anyone know if there's a minimum number of hours you need to have worked to qualify? I've had some shorter assignments mixed in with longer ones.

I've been working temp assignments for about a year now and can confirm that Washington state is pretty good about covering temp workers! One thing I'd add is to make sure you understand the difference between "lack of work" and "quitting" when your assignment ends. Always get some kind of documentation from your temp agency - even just an email saying "assignment completed, no current openings available" can be really helpful if ESD needs clarification. Also, don't forget that you can register with multiple temp agencies while collecting benefits, which actually helps show you're actively seeking work. The system recognizes that temp work is legitimate employment and the gaps between assignments are just part of how this type of work functions.

Everyone is correct that you need to file a new UI claim after your benefit year ends. Here's the exact process: 1. On the day after your benefit year officially ends, log into eServices 2. You'll see a notification that you need to file a new claim 3. Click through to start the new application - it's similar to your original application 4. Have ready: employment history for the past 18 months, employer names/addresses, dates worked, and reason for separation 5. After submitting, continue filing weekly claims while your new application processes 6. Be prepared for possible adjudication if there are any issues with your new claim Your new benefit amount will be calculated based on your work history during your base year (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters from when you file the new claim). This might be higher, lower, or the same as your previous amount depending on your work history.

One more tip that helped me when I went through this last year - keep filing your weekly claims even while your new application is being processed! A lot of people think they should stop filing, but you need to keep certifying to show continued eligibility. If there's a delay in processing your new claim, you can potentially get backpay for those weeks once it's approved. Also, make sure to answer the work search questions accurately during this transition period since the requirements are still in effect. Good luck!

This has been one of the most helpful threads I've read about unemployment benefits. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge!

I'm in a similar situation - 62 and getting early Social Security while job hunting after a layoff. One thing I've learned is to keep detailed records of all your Social Security correspondence because Washington ESD may ask for verification documents at any time during your claim period. Also, don't be discouraged if your UI benefit amount seems lower than expected due to the pension offset - every bit helps with expenses while you're looking for work. The combination of both benefits has been a real lifeline for me during this transition period.

I've been dealing with this same confusion! Just got off the phone with ESD yesterday after waiting 2 hours, and the rep confirmed what others have said here - you need to keep records for one year after your benefit year ending date, not when benefits exhaust. She also mentioned that if you get selected for an audit, they typically give you about 10 business days to submit your documentation. For scanning, I've been using Adobe Scan (free app) and it works great - automatically crops and enhances the documents. Just make sure to organize everything by week claimed so you can find specific records quickly if needed. The rep also said they're seeing more audits lately, so definitely worth keeping everything organized!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! My benefits exhausted two weeks ago but my benefit year doesn't end until November 2025. I've been so stressed about whether I could throw away all these job search records that are cluttering up my desk. This thread is a lifesaver - sounds like the clear answer is to keep everything until one year after the benefit year ends (so November 2026 in my case). I had no idea ESD could audit you so long after benefits end! Definitely going to start scanning everything this weekend. Has anyone here actually been through the audit process? I'm curious what they actually ask for and how detailed the review is.