Can I get a loan while receiving Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

Most traditional banks won't count unemployment as qualifying income for loans unfortunately. They see it as temporary and unstable. You might have better luck with credit unions or online lenders who have more flexible requirements.

I got approved for a small personal loan through my credit union while on UI last year. The key was being honest about my situation and showing them my Washington ESD payment history as proof of consistent income. They approved me for $3500 at a decent rate.

Have you looked into getting help contacting Washington ESD to see if you qualify for any additional programs? I was struggling to get through to them about my claim status and used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me actually reach an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Maybe there are other benefits you're not aware of that could help with your situation.

honestly the whole system is rigged against unemployed people... banks dont want to lend to us, landlords dont want to rent to us, even though we have steady income from the state. its like they think were just sitting around doing nothing

For emergency car repairs, you might also want to check if there are local nonprofit organizations that help with transportation issues for job seekers. Some areas have programs specifically for people receiving unemployment benefits who need reliable transportation to look for work.

I'm in a similar boat - been trying to get a loan for 2 months while on unemployment and keep getting denied. Even with good credit (720+) they just won't budge on the income requirements. It's so frustrating when you know you'll be back to work soon.

what about getting a cosigner? that might help with the income issue if you have family or friends willing to help

Another option to consider is peer-to-peer lending platforms like LendingClub or Prosper. They sometimes have more flexible criteria than traditional banks and might be more willing to work with unemployment income.

Don't forget to document everything about your unemployment claim for lenders. Print out your payment history, any correspondence from Washington ESD, and proof of your weekly certifications. The more official documentation you can provide, the better.

Just remembered - some auto repair shops offer financing directly. If it's specifically for car repairs, they might be more willing to work with you since the repair is the collateral in a way.

Just want to follow up on the Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier - they really helped me get through to Washington ESD when I couldn't reach anyone for weeks. If you do find out about additional programs or benefits, that extra income might help with loan qualification too.

Have you considered a secured loan using something as collateral? If you have any assets like electronics, jewelry, or even the car itself (despite needing repairs), some lenders might work with that.

also check if your state has any emergency loan programs for unemployed people. some states have small emergency funds available

This whole thread is making me realize I should explore more options too. I gave up too easily after the first few denials.

whatever you do dont fall for those payday loan places or title loan shops. they'll take advantage of your situation and charge insane interest rates

One more thought - if you do get approved somewhere, try to get the shortest term possible even if the payments are higher. Getting out of debt faster while you're between jobs is usually better than having payments hanging over you when you do find work.

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions! I'm going to start with my local credit union and then try some of the other options mentioned here. Really appreciate the help and knowing I'm not alone in this situation.

Just saw this thread and wanted to add that I got a small loan through Upstart while on unemployment last year. They use different criteria than traditional banks and actually approved me. Might be worth checking out.

Hope the Claimyr suggestion helps you explore all your Washington ESD options. Sometimes there are benefits or programs available that agents can tell you about that aren't obvious on the website. Worth making sure you're getting everything you're entitled to.

Final thought - document your job search activities really well while you're looking for a loan. Lenders like to see that unemployment is truly temporary and you're actively working toward reemployment. Keep records of applications, interviews, networking activities, etc.

I was in a similar situation last year and ended up getting approved through SoFi for a personal loan while on unemployment. They were one of the few that actually considered my UI benefits as income. The application process was pretty straightforward online and they gave me a decision quickly. Just make sure you have all your Washington ESD documentation ready - they'll want to see proof of your weekly benefit amount and payment history. Also worth noting that having a good credit score really helps with these alternative lenders even when traditional banks won't work with you.