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Pro tip: when you file your claim, make sure you have your last day of work correct and any final pay information. Washington ESD is really picky about dates and it can delay your claim if there are discrepancies.
Bottom line - you have nothing to lose by filing. Worst case they deny you and you're in the same position you're in now. Best case you get benefits while you look for a new job. Just make sure you're honest about what happened.
One thing nobody mentioned - if you win your appeal, you'll get back pay for all the weeks you were denied. That can be a significant amount so it's worth fighting for.
Good luck with your appeal! This thread has been really helpful for understanding the process. Sounds like you have a solid case with the hours reduction.
The good news is that being laid off due to budget cuts is clearly a qualifying separation. You won't have to worry about any disqualification issues like people who quit or get fired for misconduct.
Bottom line: don't let the short time at your recent job stop you from filing. Washington ESD looks at your entire work history over 15 months, not just your last position. File your claim ASAP!
The whole employer notification thing used to stress me out too, but my old boss never even mentioned it when I ran into him months later. I think most employers just deal with the paperwork and move on.
Great thread, learned a lot about how the funding actually works. I always assumed it came straight from the employer but the pooled system makes way more sense.
Chad Winthrope
One more tip - if you qualify for the maximum benefit amount, you also qualify for the maximum number of weeks (usually 26 weeks). The duration and amount are linked in Washington's system.
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Taylor Chen
•That makes sense. Hopefully I won't need it for that long but good to know the system is designed fairly.
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Paige Cantoni
Overall Washington's unemployment system works pretty well once you get through the initial setup. The benefit calculation is transparent and the amounts are livable for most people.
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Taylor Chen
•Thanks everyone for all the detailed responses! I feel much more informed about what to expect now.
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Brooklyn Foley
•Glad we could help! And remember if you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD, Claimyr can save you hours of phone frustration.
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