Update us on how it goes! Always curious to hear how these situations work out, especially for nonprofit employees since it comes up fairly often on here.

I went through almost the exact same situation last year! Got laid off from a local environmental nonprofit after 3 years and was super worried about unemployment eligibility. Turns out it was completely fine - filed through SecureAccess Washington and got approved within about 2 weeks. The nonprofit sector in Washington is pretty well covered under the unemployment system. Don't let the worry stress you out too much, just get your application in and let the system work. Most of the time these concerns turn out to be unfounded.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel a lot more prepared to file my claim now. Sounds like I can expect somewhere in the $600-700 range based on my salary, which would definitely help while I'm job hunting.

Based on your $52k salary, you should expect around $600-650 per week in benefits. The calculation uses your highest earning quarter during the base period (typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). Washington's benefit formula is roughly 50% of your average weekly wage from that quarter, but there are minimum and maximum caps. Since you're filing for the first time, make sure to have all your employment dates, employer info, and reason for separation ready. The online application is pretty straightforward once you gather everything. Good luck!

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice! Just to update - I called ESD this morning after trying for THREE DAYS to get through. The agent said that virtual interviews should be marked as "not in-person" even if they're on video. She said the system was designed before Zoom interviews were common and they haven't updated it yet. She noted my account about the mistake and said it shouldn't affect my claim. For anyone else dealing with this, definitely select "no" for in-person on video interviews!

Thanks for sharing your experience with calling ESD! I'm glad you got it sorted out. This is such a common issue - I've seen this exact question come up multiple times in the past few months. The fact that their system hasn't been updated for virtual interviews really shows how behind they are with modern job search methods. For anyone else reading this thread, I'd also recommend documenting your virtual interviews the same way you would in-person ones. Keep screenshots of the interview invitation emails, calendar appointments, and any follow-up communications. If ESD ever does a job search review, having this backup documentation makes everything much smoother. The key takeaway seems to be: Virtual = Not In-Person, even if you're on camera. Simple rule to remember!

Final thought on reasonable assurance - even if Washington ESD initially denies your claim, you can still file weekly claims and appeal the decision. If you win the appeal, they'll pay you retroactively for all the weeks you were eligible. Don't just give up after the first denial.

I'm a substitute teacher too and went through this exact situation last year. The "reasonable assurance" rule is really tricky - what matters is whether your district gave you a definitive commitment about returning, not just a casual "we hope you'll be back." Since your principal only said there's a "good chance" but nothing guaranteed, you might actually have a strong case for benefits. I'd recommend documenting everything - save any emails or texts from the school, and when you talk to Washington ESD, emphasize that you have no written guarantee and that substitute positions are inherently uncertain. Don't let them brush you off with generic responses. You deserve those benefits to get through the summer!

Bottom line - budget around 2.7% of your first $71k per employee for Washington unemployment tax as a new business. It'll likely go down after a few years if you manage your workforce well and avoid frequent layoffs.

Just wanted to add that Washington ESD also offers online workshops for new employers that cover unemployment tax basics. I attended one last year when I was starting my business and it was really helpful for understanding the reporting requirements and deadlines. They usually have them monthly and they're free. You can find the schedule on their website under employer resources.