One last tip - make sure you understand the difference between being laid off and being fired. If you were terminated for cause, your claim might be denied initially and you'll have to appeal. But if you were laid off due to lack of work, your claim should be approved as long as you meet the other requirements.

remember to file ur weekly claims on sunday if possible, the system is usually less busy then and loads faster

I quit my job last month because of unsafe working conditions and got approved for UI benefits. The investigation took about 3 weeks, but they did approve it once they looked into the situation.

Bottom line - she should apply. The worst that happens is they say no, but if she has a legitimate case for hostile work environment, she might get approved. Don't let fear of denial stop her from trying.

just remember that even if you qualify, unemployment benefits are only temporary. you still need to actively look for new work and accept suitable job offers

This was a really informative thread! I learned a lot about the Washington unemployment system that I didn't know before. Hopefully none of us need to use this information but good to have it just in case.

Depending on your situation, you might also want to look into other resources like food assistance or utility help while you're between jobs. Washington has several programs that can help.

Last tip - when you're doing your job search activities, keep detailed records. Date, company name, position, how you applied. If Washington ESD ever audits your job search, you'll be glad you kept good records.

Last tip - make sure you file as soon as possible after your last day of work. There's a waiting period anyway, so filing early doesn't hurt and filing late definitely can.

Thanks everyone for all this info! This thread should be pinned - it covers everything someone needs to know before filing their first Washington ESD claim.