For what it's worth, I've hired dozens of people over the years and unemployment history has never been a factor in any hiring decision. We care about skills and fit, not whether someone collected benefits between jobs.

I went through this exact same worry when I was job hunting after getting laid off from my tech job. Spent way too much time stressing about whether employers could see my UI claim. Turns out all that anxiety was for nothing - never came up in any of my interviews. The privacy protections in Washington are solid, and most employers are focused on whether you can do the job, not your benefit history. Just be prepared to explain any employment gaps honestly if asked, but don't overthink the UI privacy angle.

Good luck with your claim! Layoffs due to downsizing are exactly what unemployment benefits are designed for, so you should be approved without major issues once Washington ESD processes everything.

Just wanted to add that when you're filling out the job separation section, make sure you include the exact date of your last day worked, not just the month. Washington ESD uses this to calculate your benefit year and when payments can start. Also, if you received any final paychecks or vacation payouts after your last work day, you'll need to report those during your weekly claims since they can affect your benefit timing. The good news is that with a clear layoff due to company downsizing, you shouldn't face any eligibility issues - just make sure all your dates and details are accurate.

Thanks everyone for all the info. I'm bookmarking this thread in case I need to refer back to it if shutdown actually happens.

This has been such an informative discussion! As someone who just started receiving UI benefits last month, I was terrified when I heard about the potential shutdown. It's reassuring to learn that Washington ESD operates independently from federal funding for regular unemployment benefits. I'll definitely keep filing my weekly claims as usual and try not to stress about things beyond my control. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - this community is amazing for supporting each other through these uncertain times.

I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago after my company had layoffs. Since you mentioned it was a company downsize with multiple people laid off, that should actually work in your favor - Washington ESD processes those types of claims faster because the reason for unemployment is very clear. My timeline was almost exactly 3 weeks from application to first payment. The hardest part is definitely that waiting period when you're checking the website every day and it just says "under review." One thing that helped me was setting up direct deposit if you haven't already - it made the first payment come through faster once approved. Also, make sure you're documenting any job search activities you're doing now, even before approval, because you'll need that information once benefits start. The system is definitely slow but it does work eventually!

I'm going through the same waiting process right now - applied about 10 days ago after being laid off from my retail job. Reading through all these experiences is both reassuring and nerve-wracking! It sounds like the 2-4 week timeline is pretty consistent for most people, though it's frustrating how little communication there is during the process. I've been filing my weekly claims like everyone recommends, even though it feels weird claiming benefits when I don't know if I'm approved yet. The financial anxiety is definitely real - I've been picking up some gig work just to have something coming in while I wait. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and experiences here, it really helps to know what to expect!

Keep checking your SecureAccess Washington account too, not just for the determination letter but in case they need additional documentation from you. Sometimes they request more info and if you miss it, it delays everything even more.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed my claim 6 weeks ago after being laid off and still no determination letter. My status just says "pending" and I can't file weekly claims yet either. It's so stressful not knowing if I'll be approved or when any money might come. I've been checking my account obsessively but nothing changes. Reading through all these responses is actually making me feel a bit better knowing I'm not the only one dealing with these long wait times. Sounds like 6-8 weeks might be the new normal unfortunately.