Can I apply for WA unemployment before my official layoff date?

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.

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

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.

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!!!!!!

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

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).

my cosin said that your severanse payment will delay ur benefits? is that true???

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!

Just wanted to add one more thing that saved me when I got laid off - screenshot everything! Take screenshots of your application confirmation, any emails from ESD, and especially your weekly claim confirmations. I had an issue where the system said I hadn't filed a weekly claim that I definitely submitted, and having that screenshot helped resolve it quickly when I finally got through to an agent. Also, if you're planning to apply early like everyone's suggesting, make sure your employer knows the exact date they're putting down as your separation date - sometimes HR and your direct supervisor aren't on the same page about this stuff.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you might want to check if your employer offers any outplacement services or career transition assistance as part of your severance package. Some companies provide access to job search resources, resume writing help, or even temporary health insurance continuation that can bridge the gap while you're waiting for unemployment benefits to kick in. Also, if you're in a union or professional organization, they sometimes have emergency assistance funds for members who are between jobs. It's worth asking about these resources now while you still have time to explore all your options before June 15th.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since it might help with your timeline planning. I was laid off in April and applied 4 days before my last day of work. The application process itself was pretty straightforward - took about 30 minutes to complete online. The key thing that helped me was having my employer's FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number) ready, which you can find on your W-2 or ask HR for. One thing to be aware of is that even though you can apply early, your "benefit year" doesn't actually start until your separation date. So if you apply on June 8th with a June 15th end date, your benefit year starts June 15th, and your first claimable week would be June 16-22. Also, make sure you understand your company's policy on using accrued vacation time. Some employers require you to use up PTO before your official end date, which could affect when you're actually considered "unemployed" by ESD. Worth clarifying with HR to avoid any complications with your claim.

I went through a similar situation last year when my whole team got eliminated. One thing that really helped was calling ESD's customer service line (1-800-318-6022) about a week after I submitted my application, just to confirm everything looked good on their end. Even though the wait times are brutal, it gave me peace of mind that my claim was processing correctly and there weren't any red flags that might cause delays. Also, start thinking about your job search strategy now while you still have time. The 3 weekly job search activities go by faster than you think, and having a plan ready will make those first few weeks on unemployment less stressful. I set up job alerts on LinkedIn and Indeed before my last day so applications would start coming to me automatically. Good luck with everything!

One more thing to consider - if you have a 401k or other retirement accounts with your employer, make sure you understand what happens to those after your separation date. Sometimes there are deadlines for rolling over funds or making decisions about employer matching that you don't want to miss while you're focused on the unemployment process. Also, if you have an HSA through work, check whether you can keep contributing to it or if you need to roll it over elsewhere. These financial details might seem minor compared to getting unemployment benefits, but they can add up to significant money if handled properly during your transition period.

Also want to mention - if you're laid off due to a company closure or mass layoff (which sounds like your situation), you might qualify for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) or other federal programs that provide extended benefits and retraining opportunities. It's worth checking with your state's workforce development office to see if your layoff qualifies for any special programs. These programs sometimes offer benefits beyond regular unemployment, like funding for education/training or extended benefit periods. Even if you don't qualify, many workforce development centers offer free career counseling and job placement services that can be really valuable during your transition. The application processes for these programs can be lengthy, so it's another good reason to get the ball rolling early while you still have a few weeks before your separation date.

Don't forget to check if your employer offers COBRA for health insurance continuation - you'll have 60 days from your separation date to elect coverage, but it can be expensive (often $500-800/month). If COBRA is too costly, start researching Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) or marketplace plans through wahealthplanfinder.org now. You don't want to be scrambling for health coverage while also dealing with unemployment paperwork. Some people qualify for special enrollment periods due to job loss, which can get you covered faster than waiting for open enrollment. Having health insurance sorted out is one less thing to stress about while you're between jobs!

Just wanted to add something that really helped me when I was in a similar situation - start gathering all your employment documents NOW while you still have access to your work systems. Make copies of your employment contract, any performance reviews, and especially any documentation about the layoff decision (emails, meeting notes, official announcements). Sometimes ESD asks for additional verification, and it's much easier to provide this stuff when you still have your work email and computer access rather than trying to get it from HR after you're gone. Also, if you have direct deposit set up with your employer, double-check that your bank account info is correct since you'll want to use the same account for unemployment benefits. One small typo in your routing number can delay your first payment by weeks while they mail you a paper check instead.