Can I apply for WA unemployment before my official layoff date?
My employer just informed us that our whole department will be laid off effective June 15, 2025 (still about 3 weeks away). They're giving us severance packages, but I'm worried about bills piling up if there's a gap between my last paycheck and when unemployment kicks in. Can I submit my ESD application now, even though I'm still employed for a few more weeks? Or do I have to wait until I'm actually unemployed to start the process? I've never had to file for unemployment before and I'm trying to plan ahead so I don't fall behind on rent. Thanks for any advice!
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Kolton Murphy
Yes, you can actually apply for unemployment benefits before your last day of work. ESD allows you to submit your application up to a week before your final day. Just make sure to accurately report your last day of employment on the application. Keep in mind that you can't claim any weeks before your actual last day of work - your benefit week would start after your employment officially ends. Also, be prepared to provide documentation about your layoff - either the official notice or contact information for your employer. Your claim won't actually process and pay out until after your last day, but getting the application in early does help speed things up.
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Jackson Carter
•Thank you! That's exactly what I needed to know. So just to clarify - I could apply on June 8th, report June 15th as my last day, but I wouldn't actually be able to file my first weekly claim until after the 15th? I'm just trying to understand the timing correctly.
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Evelyn Rivera
when i got laid of last year i waited till my last day b4 applying and it took almost 3 weeks to get my 1st payment!!! def apply early if u can
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Jackson Carter
•Oh no, 3 weeks? That's exactly what I'm worried about. Did they backdate your payments to cover from your last day of work?
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Evelyn Rivera
•yea they did backdate it but waiting was stressful af! just had to live off credit cards for a bit
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Julia Hall
Make sure you understand how your severance package might affect your benefits. If you're receiving a lump sum severance, ESD may not count that against your unemployment eligibility. But if you're receiving continued payments as severance (like regular paychecks), ESD might consider you still employed for that period and delay your benefits. Also, don't forget that the waiting week is still a thing in Washington - your first week after becoming unemployed is unpaid, even if you qualify for benefits. So plan for that gap too.
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Jackson Carter
•That's really helpful, thank you. My severance is a lump sum that I'll get on my final paycheck. I didn't know about the waiting week though - that's good to know for my budget planning!
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Arjun Patel
I got laid off in February and the system is a NIGHTMARE to deal with. Applied the day after my last day and didn't see a penny for 6 WEEKS!!! They put me in this thing called "adjudication" for no reason and couldn't even tell me why. APPLY EARLY and then CALL THEM DAILY until you get answers!!!!!!
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Jade Lopez
•I had this exact same issue - the adjudication process is frustrating. I finally managed to get through to an actual ESD agent by using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It basically holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. I wasted days trying to get through on my own before finding this. The agent was able to clear my adjudication in minutes once I actually got to speak with someone.
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Arjun Patel
•WISH I'D KNOWN ABOUT THIS SOONER! Bookmarking for if it happens again. I literally called like 50 times and never got through. Such garbage service from our tax dollars!!!!
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Tony Brooks
i think everyone is missing smth important - make sure u have ur employment records ready for when u apply. i had to provide my last paystub and the layoff notice from HR. also start working on ur resume cuz u need to register with worksource and do those 3 job search activities each week once ur actually on unemployment
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Jackson Carter
•Thanks for the reminder about WorkSource! I forgot about the job search requirements. Is creating a resume on WorkSource counted as one of the weekly activities?
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Tony Brooks
•yep creating ur profile and resume on worksource counts as one activity for the first week! after that u need to do stuff like apply to jobs, go to workshops, etc
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Ella rollingthunder87
Just went through this in January. What helped me most was applying early (5 days before my last day) AND making sure I had all these documents ready: • Official layoff letter (with the date clearly marked) • Final pay stub • ID and social security card • Bank account info for direct deposit Even with all that, I had a 3-week gap between my final paycheck and my first unemployment payment, so definitely prepare financially if you can. The system asks for your last day worked during the application, so just be honest about that date (June 15th in your case).
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Jackson Carter
•This is so helpful - thank you for the document checklist! I'll get everything ready beforehand. Did you have to do anything special because you applied before your actual end date?
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Ella rollingthunder87
•Nope! The system is designed to handle this situation. You just enter your future end date and then you can't file weekly claims until after that date passes. The only weird thing was that I got an automated email reminding me to file my weekly claim before I was eligible to do so - just ignore those until after your last day.
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Evelyn Rivera
my cosin said that your severanse payment will delay ur benefits? is that true???
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Kolton Murphy
•It depends on how the severance is paid out. Lump sum severance typically doesn't affect unemployment benefits in Washington state. However, if the severance is paid out as continuation of regular paychecks, then ESD may consider you still employed during that period. The best approach is to report the severance payment when you apply and clearly indicate that it's a one-time lump sum payment rather than ongoing income.
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Jackson Carter
Thanks everyone for your advice! I'm going to apply a week before my last day and make sure I have all my documentation ready. I'll also prepare financially for the waiting week plus potential delays. Really appreciate all the tips - this has been super helpful!
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Julia Hall
•Good luck! One last tip: keep a detailed log of all your communications with ESD. Note down dates, reference numbers, and names of any representatives you speak with. This can be incredibly helpful if there are any issues with your claim. Also remember to file your weekly claims consistently, even if you haven't received your first payment yet.
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