Also worth noting - if you have any questions about whether your specific situation qualifies as "good cause," Washington ESD has a handbook online that goes into detail about military spouse exceptions. I found it really helpful when I wasn't sure if my circumstances would qualify. The section on "good cause connected with work" specifically mentions military relocations and covers different scenarios. Better to review it before applying so you can present your case clearly from the start!

Welcome to Washington! As someone who went through this exact process when we PCS'd to JBLM two years ago, I can confirm that Washington ESD is very military spouse friendly. One tip I wish I'd known earlier - when you file your weekly claims, there's a section that asks about availability for work. Make sure you indicate you're available and able to work, even if you're still getting settled from the move. Also, if you're planning to pursue any certifications or licenses needed for your field in Washington (some professions have different state requirements), you can often count those activities toward your work search requirements. The transition can feel overwhelming at first, but the community here is great and there are lots of opportunities once you get established!

Bottom line - apply for benefits and let Washington ESD make the determination. You were employed for 2 years with no other issues, had a legitimate emergency, and can document it. You have a reasonable case.

I went through something similar when I was caring for my sick father. What really helped my case was getting a letter from the hospital or doctor that confirmed the dates of the emergency and that your presence was necessary. Even though you have the admission records, a letter specifically stating that you were needed there during those exact dates when you missed work can be really powerful evidence. Also, if you have any text messages or emails from that time period showing you were dealing with the emergency, save those too. Washington ESD really does look at the full picture when there are genuine family emergencies involved.

Sorry you're going through this. Closing a business is hard enough without having to worry about financial support afterward. Hope you find some assistance through other programs even if unemployment doesn't work out.

I'm in a very similar situation - had to close my consulting business last year when my main client contract ended. Like others have mentioned, I ended up using Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD and confirm I wasn't eligible since I was taking distributions rather than W2 wages. What really helped me was connecting with my local WorkSource office - they have business transition workshops and helped me understand what retraining programs were available. Also check with your local SCORE chapter if you're considering starting something new. The transition is rough but there are more resources out there than you might think. Definitely get that official determination from ESD first though so you know exactly where you stand.

I just wanted to update everyone. I finally managed to reach someone at ESD after trying for 3 days straight. They confirmed that for our company's Shared Work plan, I should continue filing through my existing Shared Work claim even during the full shutdown week. I won't need to file a new claim or serve another waiting week! Apparently different Shared Work agreements have different terms, which explains why there's so much conflicting information out there. Such a relief to know I won't miss that week of pay. Thanks everyone for your help!

This is such a perfect example of why the ESD system is so confusing! I'm dealing with something similar at my retail job - we're on Shared Work but they're talking about closing completely for inventory week. Reading through all these responses, it's clear that every company's Shared Work agreement can be different, which explains why people are getting conflicting information. Really glad you got through to ESD directly and got it confirmed for your specific situation. For anyone else reading this, it sounds like the key takeaway is that you MUST verify with ESD directly for your company's specific Shared Work terms rather than assuming it works the same for everyone. Thanks for sharing your outcome - this thread is going to help so many people!

Don't forget that you'll need to register with WorkSourceWA as part of the unemployment requirements. It's the same for federal employees as everyone else - you have to show you're actively looking for work.

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share that I just went through this process as a federal employee myself. The information everyone's shared is spot on - you absolutely qualify for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD under the UCFE program. One thing I'd add is that when you call Washington ESD, specifically mention that you're a federal employee filing under UCFE. This helps them route you to the right specialist who understands federal employment separations. Also, if you're having trouble getting through by phone, you can start the application online at esd.wa.gov, which might be easier than waiting on hold. The online system will ask for the same information and you can always call later if you need help with specific questions about your federal employment history.