Washington Unemployment
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Can't reach Washington Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
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- Redial until on hold
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- DO post questions about your issues.
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Got fired can I get unemployment benefits through Washington ESD?
So I just got terminated from my job yesterday and I'm freaking out about bills. My manager said it was due to performance issues but honestly I think they just wanted to get rid of me because I questioned some of their practices. Can I still file for unemployment with Washington ESD if I got fired? I've heard mixed things about whether you can get benefits if you didn't quit voluntarily. I worked there for almost 2 years and never had any written warnings or anything like that. Really need to know if I should even bother applying or if I'm just wasting my time.
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How many quarters does Washington ESD unemployment go back for benefit calculation?
I'm trying to figure out my potential unemployment benefit amount and I'm confused about the lookback period. Does Washington ESD go back 4 quarters or 5 quarters when they calculate your weekly benefit amount? I worked part-time for most of 2024 but had a really good full-time job for about 8 months in 2023. Just want to make sure I understand which wages they'll actually use in the calculation.
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Does Washington ESD automatically check if alternate base period would give you higher benefits, or do you have to specifically request it?
That seems unfair. A lot of people probably don't even know this option exists.
Yeah the whole system assumes you know all these rules already. I only found out about alternate base period by accident when I was googling why my benefits were so low.
For anyone else confused about this - I made a spreadsheet of my wages by quarter and it really helped me figure out which base period would be better. Sometimes the standard base period is actually higher if you had a gap in employment recently.
That's a great idea! I should probably do the math before I request alternate base period.
Definitely worth checking both scenarios. In my case standard base period was better because I was unemployed for 6 weeks in late 2024 before getting my current job.
How much does an unemployment claim cost an employer in Washington ESD?
I'm trying to understand the financial impact on employers when someone files for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD. My former boss mentioned something about their taxes going up because of my claim, but I don't really understand how that works. Does anyone know the actual costs employers face when workers file UI claims? I feel bad if I'm causing them financial hardship, but I also need these benefits right now.
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How much does a person get for unemployment benefits in Washington?
I'm thinking about filing for unemployment and trying to figure out what my weekly benefit amount would be. I've been working full-time making about $52,000 per year and wondering how much Washington ESD would pay me if I qualify. Is there a formula they use or does it depend on your specific situation? Also wondering if there's a maximum amount they'll pay regardless of your previous salary.
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Just want to emphasize again that everyone's situation is different. The benefit amount depends on your specific earnings history, and there can be complications if you have gaps in employment or worked in multiple states. When in doubt, it's worth getting clarification from Washington ESD directly.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful information. I'm feeling much more confident about filing now.
Good luck with your claim! Remember to keep track of all your job search activities and file those weekly claims.
Does the employee pay for unemployment benefits in Washington?
I'm starting a new job next week and my boss mentioned something about unemployment taxes being taken out of my paycheck. I'm confused because I thought unemployment was paid by employers, not employees. Does the employee pay for unemployment benefits in Washington state? I don't see any deductions on my old pay stubs but maybe I wasn't looking at the right place?
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Your boss probably saw something about unemployment taxes on their business tax forms and assumed it was coming out of employee paychecks. Common misconception among small business owners who don't deal with payroll much.
That would make sense. It's a small company so the owner probably handles a lot of different things and gets confused sometimes.
Yeah, small business owners wear a lot of hats. Easy to mix up which taxes are employer vs employee responsibility.
TLDR: Employees in Washington pay $0.00 for unemployment insurance. Your boss is mistaken. It's 100% employer-funded. You're covered automatically as long as you're a regular W-2 employee.
Glad we could help clear that up! Welcome to the working world in Washington - you picked a good state for worker protections.
Thanks! I'm excited to start and relieved I don't have to worry about another paycheck deduction.
Amina Toure
Just want to echo what others have said - definitely file. I was fired for 'attitude problems' (aka standing up for myself) and got approved after a brief adjudication period. Washington ESD really does try to be fair about these things. Don't let your former employer scare you away from benefits you've earned.
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AstroAdventurer
AuthorThanks for sharing your experience. It really helps to hear success stories like this.
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Oliver Zimmermann
Same here - got fired for 'not being a good fit' which was basically code for not putting up with their toxic management. Still got approved.
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CosmicCommander
One more thing - if your claim does go to adjudication (which it might since you were terminated), that doesn't mean you're denied. It just means they need to investigate the circumstances. Try to be patient during this process even though I know it's stressful. Most performance-related terminations get approved eventually.
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CosmicCommander
It varies a lot - anywhere from 2-8 weeks depending on how complex the case is and how busy they are. If you need to talk to them about your case, that Claimyr thing people mentioned might help you get through faster.
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Natasha Volkova
Yeah I tried Claimyr when I was stuck in adjudication and it actually helped me get answers. Beats sitting on hold for hours every day.
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