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One last thing - make sure you understand the difference between being laid off and being fired if it comes to that. The reason for separation affects your eligibility even if you meet the work requirements.
Hope this all works out for you! At least you know you'd qualify for Washington ESD benefits based on your work history if the worst case scenario happens.
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!
Your situation sounds very similar to mine from a few months ago. Performance termination without misconduct usually results in approved claims. Just be prepared for the possibility of a phone interview if they need more details.
Good luck with your claim! The majority of people who are fired for performance issues do get approved for benefits. Just stay persistent and don't give up if there are initial complications.
Don't forget that eligibility can change week to week. Even if you're initially approved, you need to meet the eligibility requirements every week you claim benefits. If you become unavailable for work, stop looking for jobs, or refuse suitable work, you could lose eligibility for future weeks even if your initial claim was approved.
That makes sense. So it's not just about getting approved initially, but maintaining eligibility throughout your claim period.
Based on everything you've described - being laid off due to downsizing, having 18 months of work history at $45k annually - you should definitely qualify for Washington ESD unemployment benefits. Your earnings will easily meet the base period wage requirements, and being downsized clearly qualifies as unemployed through no fault of your own. I'd recommend applying as soon as possible since there's a waiting period anyway, and the sooner you apply, the sooner you can start receiving benefits.
Thank you everyone for all this detailed information! I feel much more confident about applying now that I understand the requirements better.
Aisha Hussain
Reading all this makes me grateful I had help navigating the system. I used one of those callback services (Claimyr I think?) when I was having trouble reaching Washington ESD about my claim status. Definitely worth it when you're stressed about money and can't get through on the phone.
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GalacticGladiator
•I keep seeing mentions of these services. Are they actually endorsed by Washington ESD or just third-party companies?
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Aisha Hussain
•They're third-party but legitimate. They just help you get connected to the actual Washington ESD agents faster than calling directly.
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Ethan Brown
Bottom line: based on what you've described, you have a decent chance of qualifying. The hour reduction from full-time to 4 hours per week is pretty clearly a substantial change that would make continuing employment unreasonable. Just make sure you document everything and be thorough in your application. Good luck!
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PixelPioneer
•Thank you so much everyone! This has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident about applying now.
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Yuki Yamamoto
•You're welcome! This community is great for helping each other navigate the Washington ESD system. Don't hesitate to post again if you run into issues.
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