Can I file for unemployment BEFORE my layoff date? Anxious about payment delays

Yes, you can absolutely start preparing your application before your last day, but you won't be able to actually SUBMIT until after your final day worked. Here's what I recommend: 1. Create your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account now if you don't already have one 2. Gather all your employment information - paystubs, employer address, contact info, etc. 3. Make sure you have your ID ready (driver's license and social security card) 4. Read through the application process on the ESD website so you're familiar with it The day AFTER your last day of work, submit your application. Make sure you report your final day accurately. Be extremely careful filling out the application - any small errors can cause delays. For mass layoffs, sometimes employers work directly with ESD which can actually make things smoother, so ask your HR if they're doing this.

i filed 2 months ago and STILL haven't gotten a single payment!!! their whole system is broken. make sure u have savings cuz ur gonna need it 😡

Some practical advice from someone who works in HR and has helped employees through this process: 1. Ask your employer for a "separation statement" that clearly states you were laid off due to lack of work/company restructuring. Having this documentation from day one can prevent delays. 2. When you file, be 100% accurate about your last day worked. This is the #1 issue that causes claims to get flagged. 3. After being laid off, immediately register with WorkSource and document it. You'll need to meet job search requirements right away. 4. Set up direct deposit rather than the debit card option - it's typically faster. 5. File your claim at an odd hour - like very early morning or late evening - the system is less likely to have technical issues. Keep in mind that the first week is a "waiting week" where you won't receive benefits, but you MUST file a weekly claim for it.

when i got laid off in january my boss told us all NOT to file right away because it would make the company look bad!!! is that even true?? i waited a week and now im thinking that was terrible advice

After dealing with the ESD phone system nightmare for my claim (stuck in pending for 5 weeks!), I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me through to a real ESD agent in about 20 minutes. Totally worth it after spending WEEKS trying to call on my own and never getting through. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Once I actually talked to a person, they fixed my issue right away - turned out it was just waiting for employer verification that could have been resolved in 5 minutes if I could have reached someone. Their website is claimyr.com if you end up getting stuck like I did.

Quick tip that nobody's mentioned yet - TAKE SCREENSHOTS OF EVERYTHING! Every confirmation page, every submission, every letter in your ESD account. I lost a week of benefits because ESD claimed I didn't file a weekly claim, but I had the screenshot showing I did. Also, write down the names of any ESD agents you talk to + date/time. Their system loses stuff ALL THE TIME and without proof, you're just out of luck.

One more thing to help avoid delays - if your employer is doing a mass layoff of 45 people as you mentioned, there's a good chance they're filing a WARN notice with the state. Ask your HR department if they're coordinating with ESD about the layoffs. Many larger employers work directly with ESD on mass layoffs, which can actually streamline the process for employees. Also, make sure you understand the difference between being on standby status vs. regular unemployment. With a permanent layoff, you'll likely be on regular unemployment with full job search requirements (3 job search activities per week), but it's good to be clear on that from the start.

i forgot to mention when i filed my claim i accidentally put the wrong last day of work (i was off by ONE day) and it caused a 6 week delay while they "investigated" 🙄 so triple check your dates!!!

Since you mentioned being worried about paying rent - one additional piece of advice is to immediately file your application the day after your last day worked, and then set calendar reminders to file your weekly claims on the same day each week (Sunday is usually easiest, since the claim week runs Sunday-Saturday). Even if your initial application is still pending, you need to keep filing weekly claims. Any weeks you don't file, you won't receive payment for - even retroactively. Also, be aware that your first check will be smaller than you might expect because: 1. The waiting week (no payment) 2. Federal and potentially state taxes if you choose to have them withheld (recommended) 3. Your benefit amount will be approximately 60-70% of your previous wage up to the maximum If you're really concerned about the timeline, you might want to talk to your landlord proactively and see if they can work with you on the timing for your next rent payment.

also make sure u have a phone number JUST FOR YOU on the application!!! my partner and i shared a phone and they kept getting confused when they called and he answered instead of me lol