I just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through the Washington ESD system recently - definitely file as soon as possible! The wait times for processing have been pretty long lately, so the sooner you get your application in, the better. Also, I noticed some people mentioned Claimyr for getting through to agents - I haven't used it myself but I've heard mixed reviews about third-party services. Sometimes it's worth trying the ESD phone lines early in the morning (like right when they open) or late in the day when call volume might be lower. The most important thing is that you absolutely ARE eligible for benefits after working at a nonprofit - your friend was misinformed. Food banks are essential community services and you deserve support while you look for your next opportunity. Wishing you the best with your claim!

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation at the food bank - those funding cuts are so tough on both the staff and the communities you serve. Your friend is definitely wrong about nonprofit employees not being eligible for unemployment! I actually went through something similar when the environmental nonprofit I worked for had to downsize due to budget constraints. As long as your employer was paying into the unemployment insurance system (which you can verify by looking for those SUI deductions on your pay stubs), you're absolutely eligible. The process might take a bit longer than usual given how busy Washington ESD has been lately, but don't let that discourage you. Make sure you have all your employment documentation ready - final pay stub, any separation paperwork, etc. And definitely file as soon as possible since there can be waiting periods. The nonprofit sector can be unpredictable with funding, but unemployment benefits are there to help bridge these gaps. Hope you find another meaningful position soon!

I'm in a similar situation! I've been doing temp work for about 6 months and my assignment just ended too. Reading through all these responses is super helpful - I had no idea that temp workers could get unemployment benefits. I was worried I'd have to drain my savings while waiting for the next assignment. Does anyone know if there's a minimum number of hours you need to have worked to qualify? I've had some shorter assignments mixed in with longer ones.

I've been working temp assignments for about a year now and can confirm that Washington state is pretty good about covering temp workers! One thing I'd add is to make sure you understand the difference between "lack of work" and "quitting" when your assignment ends. Always get some kind of documentation from your temp agency - even just an email saying "assignment completed, no current openings available" can be really helpful if ESD needs clarification. Also, don't forget that you can register with multiple temp agencies while collecting benefits, which actually helps show you're actively seeking work. The system recognizes that temp work is legitimate employment and the gaps between assignments are just part of how this type of work functions.

Everyone is correct that you need to file a new UI claim after your benefit year ends. Here's the exact process: 1. On the day after your benefit year officially ends, log into eServices 2. You'll see a notification that you need to file a new claim 3. Click through to start the new application - it's similar to your original application 4. Have ready: employment history for the past 18 months, employer names/addresses, dates worked, and reason for separation 5. After submitting, continue filing weekly claims while your new application processes 6. Be prepared for possible adjudication if there are any issues with your new claim Your new benefit amount will be calculated based on your work history during your base year (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters from when you file the new claim). This might be higher, lower, or the same as your previous amount depending on your work history.

One more tip that helped me when I went through this last year - keep filing your weekly claims even while your new application is being processed! A lot of people think they should stop filing, but you need to keep certifying to show continued eligibility. If there's a delay in processing your new claim, you can potentially get backpay for those weeks once it's approved. Also, make sure to answer the work search questions accurately during this transition period since the requirements are still in effect. Good luck!

I'm going through the same waiting process right now - applied about 10 days ago after being laid off from my retail job. Reading through all these experiences is both reassuring and nerve-wracking! It sounds like the 2-4 week timeline is pretty consistent for most people, though it's frustrating how little communication there is during the process. I've been filing my weekly claims like everyone recommends, even though it feels weird claiming benefits when I don't know if I'm approved yet. The financial anxiety is definitely real - I've been picking up some gig work just to have something coming in while I wait. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and experiences here, it really helps to know what to expect!

I'm in a very similar situation - applied for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD about 2 weeks ago after my company laid off a bunch of people due to budget cuts. From reading everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I should expect to wait another week or two before getting approved, assuming there are no complications with my claim. The waiting is definitely stressful when bills are piling up! I've been keeping up with my weekly claims like everyone recommends, even though it feels strange filing when I don't know my status yet. It's really helpful to see that most people with straightforward layoff situations get approved within that 2-4 week window. Thanks for posting this question - it's reassuring to know others are going through the same process and that the system does eventually work, even if it's frustratingly slow!

I'm in the exact same boat as you Diego! Just got laid off from my Portland job last Friday while living in Vancouver. Been reading through all this advice and it's super helpful - definitely filing with Oregon tomorrow morning around 7 AM like everyone suggests. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from calling around today: if you worked for a larger company, try to get a copy of your termination letter before you file. HR told me Oregon sometimes asks for it during their verification process, and it's easier to get it now while you still have contacts at the company versus trying to track it down weeks later. Also wanted to say thanks to everyone sharing their experiences here - makes this whole cross-state filing thing feel way less intimidating when you know so many people in our area have successfully gone through it. The Vancouver-Portland commuter struggle is real, but at least the unemployment process is manageable once you know what to expect! Good luck with your filing Diego - sounds like we'll both be navigating Oregon's system this week!

I went through this exact situation about 4 months ago - worked in Portland, lived in Vancouver, got laid off suddenly. You absolutely need to file with Oregon since that's where your employer paid unemployment taxes. I know their system is frustrating, but here's what worked for me: File early morning (around 6:30 AM worked best for me) on a desktop computer, not mobile. Have your Social Security number, last pay stub with exact gross wages, employer's full legal name and address, and your termination date ready. When it asks for Oregon driver's license, just leave it blank - the system accepts out-of-state residents. The key thing that saved me time was setting up direct deposit during the initial application rather than waiting for their debit card. My Washington bank account worked fine with their system. Also, register with Oregon's iMatchSkills system separately for job searches - don't try to use Washington's WorkSource or you'll get flagged. One heads up: Oregon still has a waiting week (unlike WA), so budget for that extra week without benefits. But once you get through the initial setup, the weekly certifications are pretty straightforward. Their 5 job searches per week requirement sounds scary but they count networking, job fairs, even LinkedIn outreach. You've got this! The cross-border thing is super common in our area and Oregon handles it routinely.