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what about ur coworkers? are they filing for unemployment 2? might help if all of u are showing the same pattern from this company
Yes, we've been texting and everyone plans to file. The person with disabilities is considering an ADA complaint as well. I'm not sure if ESD looks at patterns across multiple claims from the same employer though?
ESD might not directly connect multiple claims from the same employer, but having multiple people file creates a paper trail that could be useful for your L&I retaliation complaint or any potential legal action. Each of you should still focus on your individual circumstances when filing, but definitely document that others were terminated around the same time with questionable reasoning. The ADA complaint is a great idea for your coworker - sounds like you all have strong cases for different types of discrimination/retaliation.
This is a classic case of retaliation and you have a strong case for unemployment benefits. I went through something similar when my employer fired me after I filed a workers' comp claim. The key is that Washington state is very employee-friendly when it comes to wrongful termination. Document everything - save that sick leave request email, any responses from HR, and especially the timeline showing termination within 24 hours. When ESD does their fact-finding interview (and they probably will given the employer will likely contest), be clear about the sequence of events. The fact that multiple employees were terminated around the same time with questionable reasons will actually help your case if it comes to light during the investigation. Don't let them intimidate you - using your legally protected sick leave is absolutely NOT misconduct that would disqualify you from benefits.
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This is exactly the kind of information that should be more widely known! I've been working for 15 years and never really understood that my employers were paying unemployment insurance premiums on my behalf. It makes the whole system feel more legitimate - like we've actually "earned" these benefits through our work history. I wish Washington ESD would create a simple infographic or FAQ explaining this funding structure because I bet a lot of people assume it comes from general taxes like I did.
Completely agree! I've been in the workforce for about 8 years and had no clue about this until reading this thread. It's actually pretty reassuring to know that this isn't coming out of general tax revenue - it's a legitimate insurance system that employers fund specifically for situations like job loss. Washington ESD really should make this clearer because I think a lot of the stigma around collecting unemployment comes from people thinking it's "welfare" when it's actually insurance we've indirectly paid into through our employment.
This whole thread has been eye-opening! I'm currently on unemployment myself and had been feeling pretty guilty about it, especially with family members making comments about "living off the government." Now I realize it's actually funded by employer contributions - essentially insurance that was paid for on my behalf while I was working. It's wild that this basic information isn't more clearly communicated. I've been on the Washington ESD website dozens of times and never saw a clear explanation of the funding structure. Makes me wonder how many other people are collecting benefits without understanding that it's not taxpayer money but rather an insurance system. Thanks everyone for breaking this down so clearly!
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I just want to emphasize how important it is to be completely transparent with Washington ESD about your Social Security benefits from day one. I've seen too many people get into trouble thinking they could figure it out later or that "it's not that much money anyway." Even if you're only getting a small Social Security payment, you need to report it. The penalties for not reporting income can be severe - they can make you pay back all the unemployment benefits you received, plus interest and fees. It's just not worth the risk when being honest upfront is so much easier.
Absolutely this! I learned this lesson the hard way with a different state agency years ago. It's always better to over-report than under-report. Washington ESD would much rather you report something you weren't sure about than find out later you didn't report something you should have. The transparency approach saves so much stress and potential financial headaches down the road.
This is such crucial advice! I've been hesitant about filing for Social Security because I wasn't sure how it would complicate my unemployment claim, but you're absolutely right that transparency is key. Better to report everything upfront and let Washington ESD sort it out than risk having to pay back benefits later. The peace of mind alone is worth it. Thanks for sharing this perspective - it really helps put things in the right priority order.
I'm in a similar situation at 64 - got laid off from manufacturing after 20 years and trying to figure out the best approach. From what I've read here, it sounds like collecting both is definitely allowed in Washington, but I'm still nervous about making sure I do everything correctly. The reporting requirements seem straightforward enough, but I'm wondering if there are any other gotchas I should watch out for? Also, has anyone had experience with how this affects your job search strategy? I'm worried that potential employers might see me as less motivated if they know I'm collecting Social Security, even though I genuinely want to keep working for several more years.
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This thread is incredibly helpful - thank you all for sharing your experiences and solutions! I'm bookmarking this for future reference since it seems like ESD system issues are unfortunately pretty common. Emma, I'm so glad you got everything sorted out and took the time to update us with what actually worked. The WorkSource office approach is genius - I never would have thought they'd have direct contacts for ESD technical support. It's frustrating that we have to become system experts just to file for basic benefits, but at least we're all helping each other navigate these bureaucratic nightmares. Hope your husband's payments come through smoothly!
This is such a great community resource! I'm new here but dealing with my own ESD headaches, and this thread has been a lifesaver. It's amazing how much collective knowledge we have when we all share our experiences. Emma's success story gives me hope that there actually ARE solutions buried somewhere in the system - you just have to know where to look (or in this case, which physical office to visit!). I'm definitely going to try the WorkSource approach if my current issue doesn't get resolved soon. Thanks everyone for being so helpful to each other!
This whole thread is incredibly valuable - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I'm currently dealing with ESD myself (different issue but similar runaround) and Emma's success story gives me so much hope. The WorkSource office solution is brilliant - I had no idea they could provide direct email contacts for ESD technical support. That's definitely my next move if the regular channels keep failing me. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to become system experts and jump through so many hoops just to access basic unemployment benefits, but I'm grateful we have communities like this where people actually help each other out. Emma, thanks for taking the time to update us with what worked - that kind of follow-up is so helpful for others facing similar problems!
I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been lurking in this community for a while but this is my first time commenting. I'm actually going through something very similar right now with ESD - not the employer address issue specifically, but their system keeps glitching out when I try to upload required documents. It's been almost two weeks of the same "call back later" runaround. Reading about Emma's success with the WorkSource office approach has given me renewed hope! I had no idea they could connect you with ESD technical support directly. There's a WorkSource location about 15 minutes from me, so I'm definitely going to try that route tomorrow. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and solutions - it's communities like this that make these bureaucratic nightmares a little more bearable!
Lily Young
This thread has been so helpful! I'm actually in a very similar situation - my 7-month marketing contract through a staffing agency ended last Friday. Reading all these responses has really put my mind at ease about filing for unemployment. I was hesitant because I wasn't sure if Washington ESD would treat contract work the same as regular employment, but it sounds like as long as I was getting W-2s and having taxes withheld (which I was), I should be good to go. Planning to file my claim this week and already started documenting my job search activities. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
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Charlotte Jones
•You should definitely file this week! I just went through this exact same process with a 6-month contract ending. One tip that really helped me - when you're filling out the initial application, be clear about your work arrangement (staffing agency, W-2 status, etc.) in the work history section. It helps avoid any potential confusion during processing. Also, since you're in marketing, make sure to include any freelance platforms or industry-specific job boards in your job search activities - ESD recognizes those as valid search efforts. The whole process was way less intimidating than I expected. You've got this!
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Wesley Hallow
•You're in exactly the right situation to file! Marketing contracts through staffing agencies are textbook cases for UI eligibility in Washington. Since you have W-2s and tax withholdings, there shouldn't be any issues at all. I'd recommend filing today or tomorrow if possible - every day you wait is potentially delaying your benefits. Also, keep a simple spreadsheet of your job search activities (company name, position, date, type of activity) from the start. It makes filling out those weekly claims so much easier. The Washington ESD system actually handles contract worker claims really well once you get through the initial application. You're going to do great!
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Emma Davis
This is such a comprehensive thread - you all have covered pretty much every aspect of filing for unemployment after contract work! As someone who's been doing contract work in Washington for about 3 years, I can confirm everything everyone has said. The process really is straightforward for W-2 contract workers. One small addition - if you worked for multiple staffing agencies or had overlapping contracts during your base period, don't worry about trying to calculate everything yourself. Washington ESD's system will pull all your wage records automatically once you file. I made the mistake of trying to manually enter every single contract detail my first time filing, but they handle all the wage verification behind the scenes. Just focus on accurately describing your most recent work and why it ended. The system is actually pretty well-designed for our type of work situation!
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Keisha Jackson
•This is such valuable insight! I really appreciate you mentioning the multiple staffing agencies point - I actually did work for two different agencies during my base period and was wondering how to handle that. It's reassuring to know that the system pulls wage records automatically rather than relying on my manual calculations. I was definitely overthinking the documentation requirements. Your point about just focusing on accurately describing the most recent work and why it ended makes total sense. It sounds like Washington ESD really has adapted well to the gig economy and contract work trends. Thanks for adding that perspective!
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