I went through the exact same worry when I was laid off from my retail job last year! I was so concerned about "costing" my employer money that I almost didn't file. But after reading through all these responses, it's clear that unemployment insurance is just a normal part of the business-employee relationship. The system is designed to spread costs over time through regular tax payments, not hit employers with surprise bills. Your former company made a business decision to do layoffs - they absolutely expected people to file for benefits afterward. Focus on your job search and don't let guilt stop you from using the safety net you've earned!

I completely understand your concern about potentially impacting your former employer - it shows you have a good heart! But everyone here is absolutely right that you shouldn't feel guilty about filing. I work in small business consulting and help companies understand their unemployment costs. The key thing to remember is that employers pay these taxes whether anyone files claims or not - it's not like your claim triggers a new expense. The experience rating system adjusts their future rates gradually over several years, so there's no immediate financial hit. Your former employer would much rather have you collecting state unemployment benefits than asking them for extended severance pay or other direct assistance. File your claim, focus on finding your next opportunity, and don't let unnecessary guilt hold you back from using the safety net that exists specifically for situations like yours!

Just want to echo what others have said about keeping documentation - I went through this process a few months ago and having everything organized saved me so much stress. One thing I'd add is to also write down the name of whoever you speak with during the phone interview and ask for a reference number for the call. Sometimes there are follow-up questions or they need additional documents, and having that info makes it way easier to reference your case when you call back. Also, don't be surprised if the interview runs longer than expected - mine was scheduled for 15 minutes but ended up being almost 45 minutes because they had to verify employment details with multiple previous employers. Good luck with your interview on Tuesday!

Hey! I'm dealing with something similar right now - got my adjudication letter yesterday and was panicking about not seeing the questions online. Reading through all these responses has been SO helpful! I didn't realize the questions might come via email instead of showing up directly in eServices. Just checked my spam folder and sure enough, there's an email from ESD that I completely missed. You all probably saved me from missing my deadline! Quick question though - for those who've been through this process, is there usually a specific deadline mentioned for completing the online questions, or do you just need to finish them before your phone interview? My letter is pretty vague about timing.

UPDATE: The money just hit my Chase account this morning at 2:47 AM! Looks like it takes about 1 business day after showing as 'paid' in the ESD system. Thanks everyone for your help and sharing your experiences!

Awesome to hear it worked out! For anyone else reading this thread, Sofia's experience is pretty typical - first payment usually takes 1-2 business days after showing "paid" status. Chase tends to post ESD deposits in the early morning hours (usually between 2-4 AM) on business days. Good to know for future reference!

Based on your situation, it sounds like you have a strong case for your appeal since you have documentation showing it was a layoff due to company downsizing, not misconduct. I'd recommend trying to handle it yourself first - many people win these appeals without lawyers when they have clear evidence like you do. Make sure to submit your layoff notice and any emails about restructuring to the appeals office before the hearing. If you run into complications or your former employer brings an attorney, you can always hire one for a potential second appeal. The key is being organized and sticking to the facts about why you were actually terminated.

As someone who went through a similar situation, I'd suggest starting by gathering all your documentation first before deciding on a lawyer. Since you have the layoff notice and company downsizing emails, you're already in a much better position than many people who appeal. I'd recommend calling the appeals office to ask about their document submission process - they'll tell you exactly when and how to submit your evidence. If you feel overwhelmed after reviewing everything, you can always consult with an employment attorney for an hour just to get their opinion on your case strength. Many offer free or low-cost initial consultations. But honestly, with clear documentation of a layoff versus misconduct, you might be able to handle this yourself and save the attorney fees.

Last thing - make sure you understand the weekly claim filing process. You have to file every week even if you don't have any work to report. Missing a week can cause payment delays. The system sends you reminders but it's easy to forget when you're dealing with job search stress.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this process recently! I'm on an L1 visa and filed for unemployment with Washington ESD about 6 months ago. The whole process was pretty straightforward once I gathered all my documents. Make sure you have your I-94 record handy too - they asked for that in addition to my work authorization documents. The online system worked fine for me, but I did scan my documents at high resolution to avoid any upload issues. One tip: if you have any gaps in your work authorization history (like renewals), be prepared to explain those with supporting documentation. Washington ESD was very thorough but fair in their review process. Best of luck with your claim!