Are DACA recipients eligible for unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

Yes, DACA recipients are eligible for unemployment benefits in Washington! As long as you have valid work authorization and have been paying into the UI system, you should be able to file a claim. The key requirement is that you were legally authorized to work when you earned your wages.

I applied last year with DACA status and had no issues. Washington ESD processed my claim normally. Just be prepared to wait a bit longer for adjudication since they might need to verify your work authorization status.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I'd recommend trying Claimyr. It's a service that helps you actually reach a live agent - I found it at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

The main thing is making sure your work authorization is current when you apply. If your DACA expires while you're receiving benefits, that could complicate things, so keep track of your renewal dates.

just applied with daca status last month, no problems at all. the system treats you like any other worker as long as you have valid SSN and work history

One important note - make sure you're available and able to work when you certify your weekly claims. The job search requirements apply to DACA recipients just like everyone else, so you'll need to be actively looking for work.

I was worried about this too when I first applied. Washington state is pretty good about not discriminating based on immigration status for benefits you've earned. If you've been paying in, you should be able to collect.

Does anyone know if there are any federal programs that might affect DACA recipients collecting state unemployment? I heard something about public benefits affecting immigration status.

The key thing is that Washington ESD looks at whether you were legally authorized to work when you earned the wages, not your overall immigration status. DACA gives you valid work authorization, so you should be fine.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you travel outside the US while collecting benefits, you need to report that to Washington ESD. DACA recipients need advance parole to travel, so just make sure you follow all the rules.

If you run into any issues or need to speak with someone at Washington ESD about your specific situation, definitely consider using Claimyr to get through. The phone lines are always swamped and it's nearly impossible to reach anyone otherwise.

been on DACA for 6 years and never had problems with any state benefits I earned through work. Washington is pretty straightforward about it - if you worked legally and paid in, you can collect

Just to add one more thing - make sure you keep your contact information updated with Washington ESD, especially if you move. Sometimes they need to send additional documentation requests and you don't want to miss those.

Good luck with your claim! The process is basically the same for everyone once you get started. Just be patient with the adjudication if they need to verify anything.

One last tip - when you're doing your job search activities, make sure to keep good records. Washington ESD might ask for your job search log during an audit, and you want to show you're actively looking for work within your authorized employment scope.