Can I collect Washington ESD unemployment if my contract is not renewed?

Yes, you can definitely file for unemployment if your contract isn't renewed! I was a contract software developer for 3 years and collected benefits between contracts twice. The key is that you need to have been paying into the unemployment insurance system, which most contract positions do through payroll deductions.

Contract non-renewal definitely qualifies as involuntary separation for Washington ESD purposes. You'll need to file your claim the week your contract ends. Make sure you have your paystubs and contract agreement handy - they may ask for documentation during the application process.

I tried calling Washington ESD last week about a similar contract situation and spent 4 hours on hold before getting disconnected. Their phone system is absolutely terrible right now. I eventually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to actual agents. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration!

Wait, I'm confused about something. If you're a contract worker, aren't you technically self-employed? I thought self-employed people couldn't get regular unemployment benefits.

ugh the whole contract worker thing is such a mess. companies use us when they need us then dump us when they dont. at least we can get unemployment tho

One thing to keep in mind - your benefit amount will be based on your earnings over the past 5 quarters. Since you've been working consistently for 2 years, you should qualify for a decent weekly benefit amount. Make sure to file your weekly claims on time once your initial claim is approved.

Make sure you understand the job search requirements too. You'll need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities. Washington ESD is pretty strict about this requirement.

I'm in a similar boat with my marketing contract ending in December. This thread is super helpful! One question - can you collect unemployment if you find another short-term contract right away?

Pro tip: File your claim online as soon as your contract ends, don't wait. There's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start, so the sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving payments.

Just wanted to follow up on the Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier. I used them again yesterday to check on my claim status and it was super smooth. Way better than trying to get through on the regular Washington ESD phone lines. Definitely recommend if you need to talk to someone about your contract situation.

Been doing contract work for 8 years and have filed for unemployment probably 6 times between contracts. Never had any issues as long as you're a W-2 employee and not a true independent contractor. The process is pretty straightforward once you get used to it.

washington esd is so backed up right now. took them 3 weeks to process my last claim and i had to keep calling to check status. hope yours goes smoother

One thing nobody mentioned - if your contract was through a staffing agency, make sure you understand who your actual employer was for unemployment purposes. Sometimes it's the agency, sometimes it's the client company.

Also worth mentioning - you can usually file your claim online at secure.esd.wa.gov starting on Sunday after your last day of work. Don't wait until Monday morning because the system gets overloaded.

I had my contract non-renewed last year and got unemployment no problem. The only hiccup was they needed additional documentation about my work authorization status, but that got sorted out quickly. Just be prepared to provide extra paperwork if requested.

Quick reminder about the job search requirements - you need to register with WorkSourceWA as part of your claim. They'll walk you through that during the application process, but it's another step to complete.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! This gives me confidence about filing when my contract ends next month. Sounds like as long as you're a W-2 employee and the non-renewal wasn't your choice, you should be good to go.

One last plug for Claimyr - if you do run into any issues or need to speak with someone at Washington ESD about your contract situation, definitely check them out. Saved me hours of frustration trying to get through on the phone.

Update: I talked to my HR contact and confirmed I'm classified as a W-2 employee, so I should be all set to file when my contract ends. Thanks everyone for the advice and reassurance! This community is awesome.

Just wanted to add that if you're filing for the first time as a contract worker, don't be surprised if they ask for additional verification of your employment status. I had to submit my contract agreement and a few recent paystubs to prove I was a legitimate W-2 employee. The extra step delayed my approval by about a week, but once they verified everything, my benefits started without any issues. Keep digital copies of all your contract paperwork handy when you file!