Really glad I found this thread. Going through the same thing and now I know I need to either put myself on payroll going forward or start looking for employee positions elsewhere.

I went through a similar situation with my single-member LLC in 2022. Like others have mentioned, without W-2 wages you won't qualify for regular unemployment benefits through Washington ESD. However, I'd suggest checking if you might be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) if it's still available, or looking into Washington State's Self-Employment Assistance Program - it's designed specifically for people transitioning from self-employment to starting a business or finding employment. Also worth noting that some counties have emergency assistance programs for small business owners. Don't give up without exploring all your options first!

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I feel much better knowing this is standard procedure and not age-related targeting. I'll make sure to be prepared with detailed job search records and be upfront about my retirement timeline while showing I'm still actively looking. Really appreciate all the tips - this community is so helpful!

I'm 28 and had to do these meetings too, so definitely not age discrimination! Mine was actually really helpful - the counselor helped me update my resume format and showed me some job boards I hadn't been using. The meeting was about 45 minutes and pretty low-key. One thing that helped me was having a printed copy of my recent job search activities ready to reference during the call. Also, if you're tech-savvy, they might ask about your LinkedIn profile and online presence, so make sure those are updated beforehand. Good luck!

The bottom line is that UI taxes are just part of the cost of doing business in Washington. Factor it into your labor costs from day one and you won't be surprised by the bills.

One thing that's helped me manage UI costs is keeping detailed documentation of any employee performance issues or policy violations. If someone gets terminated for misconduct and files for unemployment, having good records can help you successfully contest the claim and protect your experience rating. Washington ESD puts the burden on employers to provide evidence, so don't wait until someone files to start documenting issues.

Just an update on my situation from January - make absolutely sure your employer indicates the REASON for the extension request. My first request was denied because my boss just asked for "more time" without explaining the specific construction delays. Second request with details about permit issues and contractor delays was approved immediately.

I went through this same thing with my construction job last fall. The key is timing - don't wait until the last minute! Have your boss submit the extension request at least a week before your current standby expires if possible. Also, in your case with flooring installation, make sure your employer mentions that this is due to project delays beyond their control (like the contract falling through you mentioned). ESD seems to approve extensions more easily when it's clearly due to circumstances outside the employer's control rather than just general "slow business." And definitely keep documentation of everything - save any texts or emails from your boss about the timeline changes.

This thread has been super helpful! I finally understand how Washington ESD calculates benefits. Thanks everyone!

Thanks for all the detailed explanations here! I'm in a similar situation to the original poster - just got laid off from my marketing job and trying to figure out my benefit amount before filing. From what I'm reading, it sounds like I need to look at my W-2 and add up each quarter's gross wages, then find the highest one and divide by 26. Is that right? Also, does anyone know if severance pay affects the calculation at all? I received a small severance package when I was let go.